Water Coolers bringing musical comedy to Galaxy of Stars

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. -- Featuring New York comics and singers with Broadway credentials, The Water Coolers will bring family friendly musical comedy to the Galaxy of Stars Series, presented by the Sequoyah Institute at Northeastern State University.

The performance is Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the NSU Center for the Performing Arts, 605 N. Grand Ave.

"The Water Coolers feature some of the most energetic comics and singers in the stage profession," said Amber Cowan, director of the Galaxy of Stars Series. "Members of the current cast have performed in famous comedy clubs, appeared on Broadway or traveled with Broadway touring productions."

Players have appeared at comedy venues including Igby's, the Improv, the Comic Strip and the Icehouse. They have also performed in such productions as The Drowsy Chaperone, Spamalot, Wicked, The Lion King, In The Heights, Les Miserables, Mamma Mia, Grease, Nine, Fiddler on the Roof, Saturday Night Fever, The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Rent.

"Enhancing The Water Coolers' appeal is an outstanding team of writers," Cowan said. "Of course it includes veterans of the New York comedy writing scene, but others are successful business people from around the country. Such an array of perspectives keeps the act fresh and evolving."

Writers for The Water Coolers include:
Thomas Michael Allen is co-creator of Tony and Tinas Wedding, the longest running comedy in New York theater history. He also voices the role of Peanut on the acclaimed animated comedy series Harvey Birdman: Attorney At Law and has appeared in hundreds of commercials.

Matt Heimer is editor and columnist for Smart Money Magazine.

E. Andrew Sensenig is a former CEO and investment banker from Dallas who has had a life-long love of composing music.

Joe Allen is a successful sales manager from northern Virginia.

Marya Grandy also acts and has sung with Paul Simon and The Manhattan Transfer.

David Nehls is the composer of Off-Broadway's The Great American Trailer Park Musical.

Based in New York City, The Water Coolers originally formed to perform for corporate, association, and convention audiences, but the troupe's mass appeal has resulted in bookings at theaters across the country. They use comedy, original music and song parodies to poke fun at the familiar frustrations and delights of life inside and outside the workplace.

The Water Coolers have drawn enormous praise from critics. The New York Post wrote that the cast had "sharp comic timing and enormous energy." The Associated Press wrote that The Water Coolers are "a breezy, satirical Dilbert-like musical revue that tickles the ears and funnybones."

During their visit to Tahlequah, The Water Coolers will host a comedy master class for students planning to pursue a career in acting at 2 p.m. in Room 301 if the Fine Arts building.Students will learn how to musicalize comedy, perform scenes and songs onstage and receive professional coaching.

Prices per ticket are $20 for adults, $18 for NSU alumni, $16 for NSU employees and seniors 60 and over, and $10 for students. Those presenting an NSU student ID are admitted free. Balcony seating is open and an area is reserved for those unable to climb stairs.

Tickets can be purchased 8 a.m. 5 p.m. at Woods House, 529 Seminary Ave. To reserve tickets call 918-458-2075. For more information visit nsuok.edu/si.

The Galaxy of Stars series is made possible through the support of the Oklahoma Arts Council, Mid-America Arts Alliance and National Endowment for the Arts.