Eleasha Gamble to Replace Valisia Lekae as Laurey in Arena Stage’s Oklahoma!; October 26 Performance Canceled

Helen Hayes Award winner Eleasha Gamble will take over the lead role of Laurey in Arena Stage’s production of Oklahoma!, necessitating the cancellation of the Tuesday, October 26 preview performance. Gamble replaces Valisia Lekae, who has withdrawn from the production for what a press statement describes as “pressing personal matters.” Performances will resume as scheduled on Wednesday, October 27.

Set at the turn of the 20th century, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! tackles issues of class, culture and convergence between farmers and cowmen in this rugged frontier. Molly Smith has directed the production, which features music direction by George Fulginiti-Shakar and choreography by Parker Esse.

The company also features E. Faye Butler (Aunt Eller), Nicholas Rodriguez (Curly), Aaron Ramey (Jud Fry), Cody Williams (Will Parker), June Schreiner (Ado Annie Carnes), Nehal Joshi (Ali Hakim), Philip Michael Baskerville (Cord Elam), Andrew Hodge (Slim), Shane Rhoades (Fred), Vincent Rodriguez III (Sam), Anton Harrison LaMon (Jess), Cara Massey (Gertie), Emilee Dupre (Vivian), Annie Petersmeyer (Virginia), Jessica Wu (Kate), Cyana Cook (Ellen), Semhar Ghedremichael (Aggie), Hollie E. Wright (Sylvie/Dream Laurey), Kyle Vaughn (Mike/Dream Curly), Kurt Boehm (Male Swing) and Jessica Hartman (Female Swing).

The creative team includes scenic designer Eugene Lee, costume designer Martin Pakledinaz, lighting designer Michael Gilliam, and sound designer Tim Thompson.

Gamble has previously appeared at Arena in The Women of Brewster Place. She won Helen Hayes awards for her performances in Les Miserables and Civil War, with additional nominations for Ragtime and Once on This Island.

For more information on the show, click here.