NSU River City Players open 2016 season with a full house

(Tahlequah, Oklahoma)--Northeastern State Universitys River City Players (RCP) opened its 2016 season with a sold out house and standing ovations. Shows include Rock & Roll is Here to Stay, River City Mixtape and River City Opry.

Rock & Roll is Here to Stay is a trip down memory lane where the audience revisit all of their favorite music from the golden age of rock and roll from The Coasters to The Beatles. This concert takes place on Saturdays at2 p.m.with a special Friday matinee at 2 p.m July 15 and July 29only.

River City Mixtape is a show that appeals to generations from baby boomers to millennials with a special soundtrack of chart-topping hits. The show is on Thursdays and Saturdays at7:30 p.m.

River City Opry follows in the footsteps of the Grand Ole Opry tradition and pays tribute to country legends and chart-topping music that makes up the American country music scene. This show takes place on Fridays at 7:30 p.m.

During opening weekend cast members shared their favorite memories of the rehearsals.

Sydney Rappe, show choreographer and NSU graduate student, said that River City Mixtape has some fun music that lent itself to very fun dances. Her favorite part of the rehearsals was seeing the cast watch a dance in its entirety for the first time and the support that followed when they were all learning that dance.

When the boys learned Working for the Weekend, the girls were so loud and supportive, it makes for an enthusiastic and positive rehearsal atmosphere that you cant find anywhere else in the professional performing world, Sydney Rappe said.

Adam Childress, NSU junior, said that his favorite part of rehearsals is the moments that the cast shared while memorizing lyrics and learning harmonies.

Its honestly my favorite process of the rehearsals because we all grow close together and create a powerful bond that nothing can break, Childress said.

Micheal Rappe, NSU junior, agreed that the best part of rehearsals is the bond that is built amongst the cast.

Eight individuals came together and worked extremely hard for four weeks to put together shows of over 100 songs and to make memories that will last a lifetime, Micheal Rappe said.

Rock & Roll is Here to Stay, River City Opry and River City Mixtape continue throughAugust 6. Performances take place in the NSU Playhouse and tickets cost $13 for adults, $11 for NSU alumni and employees, $10 for seniors and groups, $7 for children and students and NSU students with valid NSU ID are free.