Hunting for a Good Show?

The Robson Performing Arts Center presents “Deer Camp: The Musical!” on Saturday, February 18, 2012.

Ruby Quinn, executive director of Robson Performing Arts Center, holds the poster for “Deer Camp: The Musical!”.

The story goes like this: for decades, four friends have gone on an annual hunting trip – but they have never come home with a single deer, because they have too much fun drinking and ­talking in the shack to ever ­venture out into the cold to the deer stand. The wives have ­finally become suspicious and are threatening to veto the ­hunting trip. Now, the challenge is on for these men to preserve their yearly tradition. To watch and laugh along as the friends concoct a hilarious plan, be sure to get your tickets for “Deer Camp: The Musical!”, presented by the Robson Performing Arts Center in Claremore, February 18, 2012 at 7 p.m.

“Those who remember ‘Newhart’ from the 1980s will be interested to see two of the stars in this musical,” notes Ruby Quinn, executive director of the Robson PAC. “Tony Papenfuss and John Volstad were ‘my brother Darryl’ and ‘my other brother Darryl.’”

According to Ruby, this musical veers a little from the normal genre displayed at the Robson PAC, and she hopes it will appeal to a wider audience, attracting not only regular ­theatre-goers, but those who have not tried theatre as well. “This show would appeal not only to the outdoorsman’s wife,” she says, “but to the outdoorsman as well.”

“Deer Camp: The Musical!” is the fourth in a five-show ­season for the Robson PAC. Each season runs from September to May and is designed to coincide with the school year, as the Robson PAC is owned and operated by the school system. In September, 2011, the PAC not only hosted “Wizard of Oz,” but offered a home for rehearsals to the cast, which practiced in Claremore and then traveled to other locales. “We are so proud of this center’s capabilities,” says Ruby. “It is big enough and has the technical ability to house a national production of this type.” Next in the season came “A Ride with Bob,” the story of Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, which Ruby notes did well here not only because of its quality production, but because of its excellent renditions of Bob Wills’ music, performed by Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel. In December, the PAC hosted “Miracle on 34th Street,” which was also a success. “It is always fun to do a Christmas show,” Ruby says. “And we had a great turnout.”     

Looking ahead, the PAC’s fifth show, scheduled for May 3, 2012, will be “Flip Side: The Patti Page Story,” another show that will certainly appeal to locals with its concentration on Claremore’s very own Patti Page.

The Robson Performing Arts Center is in its fifth season and has experienced phenomenal growth over the years. Ruby reports that every year presents a new learning experience, as she and her staff learn what types of shows garner the most ­enjoyment from theatre-goers. These “top of the line” ­performances are played out in a beautiful and comfortable ­setting, with state-of-the-art sound and lighting. To get your tickets to “Deer Camp: The Musical!” or to find out more about upcoming productions, visit www.claremorepac.org or www.myticketoffice.com, or call the box office at (918) 699-7390. 

For more information, contact

Robson Performing Arts Center

(918) 699-7390