OKLAHOMA CITY —
As Charity Hope Valentine sings, “If my friends could see me now, they’d never believe it!” So is true for Oklahoma-grown TV, film and Broadway star Milena Govich. The actress once again brings her talents to Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma as she portrays the eternal optimist Charity in its production of “Sweet Charity” running July 10-14 at the Civic Center Music Hall.
Fresh off TV and film roles including Detective Nina Cassidy on NBC’s “Law & Order,” Govich is thrilled to return to the stage.
“I have been fortunate enough to work in many mediums as an actor and musician, and there is truly something magical about the stage,” Govich said. “The unique relationship between actor and audience simply does not exist in television or film.”
Govich has starred in several Broadway shows including “Cabaret” (Sally Bowles), “Good Vibrations” (Rhonda) and “Boys from Syracuse,” as well as the film “A Novel Romance.”
Born to two voice professors in Norman, Govich’s home life was a vibrant mix of music and dance. She began studying the piano at age 4 and had added ballet and violin to her repertoire by age 9. After receiving degrees in both vocal performance and pre-medicine from the University of Central Oklahoma, Govich headed straight for New York City to become a professional actress.
“My parents really prepared me for what life in the theater actually entailed and I was ready to make those sacrifices,” Govich said. “My life and career have been an extraordinary adventure and I’m so lucky to still be doing what I do.”
Having previously performed in Lyric’s productions of “Jekyll & Hyde” (Lucy) and “Man of La Mancha” (Antonia), this is Govich’s first time playing the role of Charity Hope Valentine.
“Charity’s character is a bright light in a dark world and she is always looking for love no matter how many times her heart has been broken,” Govich said. “This is one of those special shows that strike a beautiful balance between comedy and drama.”
In “Sweet Charity,” Govich will perform alongside fellow Broadway actors Jamison Stern (Charlie/Vittorio/Oscar), Kathryn Mowat Murphy (Nickie), Vanita Harbour (Helene) and Billy Porter (Daddy Brubeck). The production is directed by Lyric Associate Artistic Director Ashley Wells and features an eye-popping set design by “Million Dollar Quartet” designer Adam Koch and stylish costumes by Jeffrey Meek.
Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Saturday. For tickets visit LyricTheatreOKC.com, call 524-9312 or visit Lyric’s box office at 1727 N.W. 16th St. in Oklahoma City.
Arts & Entertainment
Related Photos
-
PHOTO PROVIDED University of Central Oklahoma graduate Milena Govich stars in Lyric Theatre's "Sweet Charity."
-
PHOTO PROVIDED | KEITH RINEARSON Jamison Stern is Vittorio and Milena Govich is Charity in Lyric Theatre's "Sweet Charity," opening July 10.
Discussion
TV, film and Broadway star Milena Govich lights up the Oklahoma stage
UCO graduate returns to perform in Lyric’s ‘Sweet Charity’
- Arts & Entertainment
-
-
Don’t miss out on Williams, Ariz.
You know how some days you’re really at your best and then you hit one where your efforts just don’t measure up. I had one of those. Jack and I were on a nine-day driving tour of Arizona, getting close to the end of the trip.
-
Best of Books observes 94th annual Children’s Book Week
Internationally renowned Choctaw storyteller and author Tim Tingle will perform and sign copies of his new children’s novel, “How I Became A Ghost,” a story about the Choctaw Trail of Tears told by a young boy, Saturday from 11 a.m. to noon at Best of Books, 1313 E. Danforth Road, Kickingbird Square.
Children will take home free Children’s Book Week posters and totes. This year’s poster artist is Brian Selznick, the 2008 Caldecott Medal winner for The Invention of Hugo Cabret. And children also will get one of the first peeks in the country at Tingle’s new book for children. -
ACM@UCO signs exchange program agreement with ACM
The Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma (ACM@UCO) recently signed an exchange program agreement with the original ACM in Guildford, England. The agreement will allow Central ACM students with global opportunities to study with contemporary music experts at the ACM in Guildford.
-
5-14 Good Reads
NOTE: Email dpeery@edmondsun.com to have your name entered into a drawing for the following titles: “The FitzOsbornes at War” and/or “Pretty Penny Makes Ends Meet” and/or “Spirit’s Chosen.” Deadline is 10 a.m. May 20. Winner will be notified by return email. Winner is responsible for picking up the book at The Edmond Sun at 123 S. Broadway. All entrants must be 18 or older to win.
-
Locals join Dallas film shoot
University of Central Oklahoma graduate Page Tudyk recently landed the lead supporting actress role in the film “I,” due to start filming this summer in Edmond and the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
-
Mumford & Sons event needs volunteer force
The Pollard Theatre Company is sponsoring the volunteer pool for the Mumford & Sons Guthrie Stopover. Organizers are seeking 250 volunteers to work three, five-hour shifts between Thursday-Sunday the weekend of the festival Sept. 5-8.
-
Artist INC program to present workshop
The Artist INC program has identified the common behaviors of successful artist entrepreneurs. In their ”What Works/What Doesn’t?” workshop they’ll share those behaviors and leave artists ready to apply them to their own art practice. The workshop includes discussion of portfolio, careers, goal setting and planning, communications strategy and financial planning.
-
5-7 Good Reads
NOTE: Email dpeery@edmondsun.com to have your name entered into a drawing for “Behind the Bookcase.” Deadline is 10 a.m. May 13. Winner will be notified by return email. Winner is responsible for picking up the book at The Edmond Sun at 123 S. Broadway. All entrants must be 18 or older to win.
-
Oklahoma Choral Artists presents ‘Trial by Jury’
At 7 p.m. May 15 in the Christian Life Center at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, the Oklahoma Choral Artists will present a program of operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan featuring a staged performance with professional instrumental ensemble of “Trial by Jury.” The performance is co-sponsored by Oklahoma Choral Artists and the Emerson Community Action Board, a group of concerned citizens providing support for the Oklahoma City Public School’s Emerson Mid-High Alternative School, a school for young persons who are working to keep their lives together and earn a high school diploma. All proceeds from the evening will go to the support of projects at Emerson.
-
Fine Arts Institute schedules 5 X 5 Art Show and Sale
The Fine Arts Institute will present its first “5 X 5 Art Show and Sale” on Sunday. This exhibit includes 55 artists from Oklahoma. The show and sale begins at 5:55 p.m. May 5 with a $5 admission at the door of the Fine Arts Institute, 27 E. Edwards. All art work is priced at $55 and will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The exhibit will hang in the FAI gallery May 5-15. Some of the artists included are Jennifer Hustis, Thomas Stotts, Bert Seabourn, Kyle Golding, Jackson Compton, Doris Nelson, Clint Stone, Arni Anderson, Michelle Wiser, Gary Lennon, Linda Kukuk and many more. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. All purchased art is to be picked up May 15. Proceeds from 5 X 5 will go toward operational costs at the Fine Arts Institute to help keep tuition and fees affordable for students of all ages. - More Arts & Entertainment Headlines
-
