Jobes met as NSU River City Players

Tahlequah, Okla. It isn't uncommon for colleagues who work long hours together to become friends.

During the 2010 season of Northeastern State Universitys River City Players, David Jobe and Kira Abbott became the closest and dearest of friends.

We met for the first time last summer, David said. The band and the singers got together for the first rehearsal and, well, there was definitely a spark between Kira and me.

Kira now shares Davids surname. The two return to the 2011 River City Players stage as husband and wife.

We were married in Las Vegas on May 12, Kira said. The ceremony was at the Viva Las Vegas wedding chapel and we were married by Elvis.

Kira is a performer for RCP and David plays drums in the band. From Seminole, Kira has performed for seven seasons with the Players and this is her third year as choreographer. David, a Muskogee native, is back for his second season. He has played music for 12 years and worked with bands including The Reunion and Fake Like Me.

Also an instructor for the Tahlequah Ballet, Kira said when arranging choreography she is inspired by the cast, students and her parents.

I would encourage locals and visitors to come see us this year, Kira said. I especially had so much fun choreographing the retro show.

David said the 2011 RCP music selections feature oldies, power ballads and a Michael Jackson medley, all performed by dexterous musicians.

This is a really legit musical group, he said. Doing a show like River City Players was something different for me. Youre not playing in a rock or country band where all the focus is on you, but you're still getting to play really fun music. The greatest thing about this band is most of the players can play most of the instruments. Musicians like that bring strength to the show and any problems can easily be worked out.

And David enjoys the added bonus of backing his wifes singing and dancing.

Words really cant express how totally happy I am, he said. Kira is definitely my soul mate.

The Sequoyah Institute and the College of Liberal Arts at NSU present the Stars in the Summer series. Performances run through August 6 with shows every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m.

The River City Players venue is the Shawnee Street Theatre at 124 W. Shawnee St. in Tahlequah. River City Classic: Hits of the 50s and 60s is put on Fridays and Saturday afternoons. River City Retro: Hits of the 70s and 80s is performed Thursday and Saturday evenings.

Also included in the Stars in the Summer series are shows by Downtown Country. A Grande Ole Celebration is performed Fridays and as the Saturday matinee. This is Country Music! is presented on Thursday and Saturday evenings. Shows are at the University Playhouse at 300 N. Muskogee Ave. in Tahlequah.

Tickets remain on sale for Stars in the Summer. Prices are adults $12, NSU alumni and employees $10, seniors 60-over and groups of 12 or more $8, students and children $6. To reserve tickets call 918-458-2075. For more information visit the Sequoyah Institute.