LAKEPORT, Calif. – The theatre company that brought you Shakespeare at the Lake, “Animal Farm” and “The Producers” is at it again, this time with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s first collaboration, “Oklahoma!”

The joint production between the Lake County Theatre Co. and Mendocino College Lake Center is directed by John Tomlinson, who most recently directed “As You Like It” (also a co-production).

That show, you may recall, was originally to be performed outside at Library Park until the smoke from the River and Ranch fires and the eventual evacuation of Lakeport delayed production. Ultimately the Soper Reese stepped in and donated its venue so that the show could go on.

This current production got off to a bit of a rocky start also due, in part, to the evacuation. Originally the company wanted to do an edgier musical but were turned down for the rights due to a Broadway revival and touring version of the show (which shall remain nameless in the hopes that they can secure the rights in the near future).

In addition to delaying “As You Like It,” the fires pushed out the audition dates for “Oklahoma!”, and also cut into the rehearsal time for the show.

That was followed by a change up in casting for a couple of roles, but the smoke has cleared and LCTC and the college promise a show that will have you singing on your way out the aisles.

The cast and crew include many of the members of The Divas, a well known a Capella group in Lake County, including music director Marie Schrader. She was also the music director for last year’s hit production of “The Producers.”

Other members of the group appearing in this production are former member Claudia Listman, current members Susan Yeagan, Jo Fay, Barbara Clark and Laura Sammel.

Sammel, who plays Laurey, the headstrong farm girl, hasn’t been on stage with LCTC for quite a while, but she is well known for her role as the Wicked Witch in the 2012 production of “The Wizard of Oz.”

Clark plays Ado Annie the gal who “Cain’t Say No” and most recently appeared as Rosalind in “As You Like It” and Nellie in “South Pacific.” She is also the new director of the Lake County Arts Council.

But, the men in this production are also not to be ignored.

Stepping into the role of Curly is Tim Barnes. You may recognize him from just about anywhere in Lakeport. He is a former Mr. Lake County, the mayor pro tem of Lakeport and former co-owner of Cheese’s Pizza in Lakeport.

He could have been your propane guy, or your DJ, or you may have seen him working around the fairgrounds or on stage as Franz Liebkind in “The Producers” as the Nazi turned author turned actor whose most memorable line was, “I brrroke my leg!” Either way, his portrayal of Curly is not to be missed.

And, speaking of Mr. Lake County, this show features three of them. Former Mr. Lake County (2015) and Dancing with the Stars and Stripes pro Larry Richardson taps his way across the stage in “Kansas City” as Will Parker, the guy who gives Ado Annie an ultimatum in “All ‘Er Nothin’.” He’s been choreographing shows for the company for years, and now he’s stepping into the spotlight once again.

And, what LCTC production would be complete without an appearance by the current Mr. Lake County, Gary Deas, the man with a perpetual smile. You’ve seen him sneaking his trademark green tutu into every production since his reign began, but it will be hard to work it into this production in which he plays a hired hand with a morose and vindictive temperament whose obsession with Laurey takes a dark turn. The only time you will see his smile in this production is when you see his photo in the program.

Don’t miss this groundbreaking and innovative musical that gave us “People Will Say We’re In Love,” “Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin’” and “Oklahoma,” and set the standards and established the rules of musical theatre that are still being followed today.

Oklahoma! runs Oct. 26, 27 and 28, and Nov. 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11 at the Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7 p.m. and Sunday performances are at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $22 and $17 in advance or $27 and $22 at the door and can be purchased at http://www.soperreesetheatre.com/ or via box office phone at 707-263-0577.

For more information please visit www.lctc.us .