The students in the lead couples roles in Line Mountains production of Oklahoma this year didnt have to pretend too much when it came to acting like they liked each other.

Weve been friends since third grade, said senior Sam Ferster, who played Curly, the lead character along with Laurey, played by senior Tori Duffy. Weve participated in musicals and marching band together for quite a while now. Weve become pretty good friends.

Its not their first time in lead roles or playing a couple.

For example, last year, they played Cinderella and the Prince in Line Mountains production of Cinderella.

But it was in eighth grade when they began working closely together in their school productions. Thats when Tori played Annie in Annie. and Sam played Daddy Warbucks.

I knew their senior year they needed to grow, said director Dana Brown. And with so much experience, I knew that putting them together would be no problem, because they would take on the job.

Tori said working together as the lead couple in Oklahoma felt natural.

Sam and I have a very playful, teasing friendship, which you can see in Curly and Laureys relationship as well.

I think they both knew they were going to have to go on a personal level to be able to create that love between Curly and Laurey, said director Dana Brown. Their friendship off stage helped with that, but also making sure they were prepared, even before they came onto stage. They did their homework, read their script and made sure they were ready to portray all the different sides of Curly and Laurey together.

Sam said he especially enjoyed the songs Oh What a Beautiful Morning and Surry With a Fringe on Top in the beginning scene songs on which he got to interact with Tori.

Sam is wonderful to work with, and I am blessed that he has been my opposite for all these years, as well as one of my best friends, Tori said.

Taking on the roles

Sam described the character of Curly as a bit cocky, but For the most part, he was a gentleman.

And aside from having naturally curly hair that he let grow longer than usual for this role, thats the part he said he related to the most.

His characteristics are sort of like how I am in real life, he said. I didnt have to prepare a whole lot.

Brown agrees.

For example, Curly, she said, is a cow man who is a little full of himself, and was going to make sure that he got the girl.

While Sam is very humble in everything he does, she said, he wants to make sure he achieves all the goals that he has. It wasnt hard at all he knew what he wanted in the musical.

Tori said she auditioned for Laurey and was excited to play her.

She is a character unlike any I have ever played, and I was excited to take on this role, she said.

Tori said she recognized Laurey as your stereotypical farm girl, but also very independent and relies on only herself for her happiness.

When things begin to change and she develops feelings for Curly, she becomes uneasy and almost pushes him away, she said

Brown said the character of Laurey is a little hard to understand sometimes. She doesnt know if she wants to be with Curly, or let him walk out of her life. Tori was very capable of bringing both of those sides of Laurey onto the stage.

Looking ahead

Sam plans to attend Potomac State College in West Virginia for an associates degree in sustainable agriculture entrepreneurship. Hes considering either joining chorus or doing some theater there. But since he has siblings still attending Line Mountain, he said he expecting to be back to help in future years.

Tori plans to attend Kent State University in Ohio to major in zoology, with a pre-vet track. She also plans to continue making theatre a part of her life.

Read more from the original source:
#ValleyMusicals: Friendship helps Line Mountain couple's chemistry - Sunbury Daily Item