Reunion of past casts set during CHS musical

As Colfax vocal music director, Cary Cammack is preparing students for the 25th musical at Colfax High School under his direction, and a brief history of the local tradition is being compiled and two receptions for all Colfax past musical casts planned.

On the evenings of Nov. 18-19, as part of performances of this year's show, “Oklahoma,” cast members from the past will be recognized before the curtain with a cake reception after the performance.

“We invite them all to come and celebrate with us,” said Patti Cammack, Cary's wife, who is putting together the history – stretching back to 1965, through the K. David Coe era, and the years when teachers Brent Carlson, Marla Aeschliman and Dale Forrey directed the shows before the Cammacks arrived in 1992.

The first CHS musical, "Finian's Rainbow," was directed by William Moss in 1965.

A 20-year run of musicals under the direction of K. David Coe started with a production of Camelot in the spring of 1967. Tamara Helm assisted Coe over a four-year span, and Katharine Heacox assisted in a 1970 production of "Guys and Dolls."

Coe started a 16-year run as lone director for musicals in 1971 with “The King and I" until 1985 with "Guys and Dolls."

Carlson directed "Carousel" in 1986 and "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" in 1987, and Marla Aeschliman directed the next musicals, "The King and I," "Brigadoon" and "1776."

Forrey, who was not a faculty member, assisted Aeschliman with "1776" and directed "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" in 1991.

Cammack joined the faculty in 1991 and played piano for the Forrey production.

The 25-year Cammack run started in 1992 with "Annie."

This year's production of "Oklahoma" will be his third. He has also done three productions of "The Sound of Music," "The Music Man," "Hello Dolly" and "Once Upon a Mattress."

Two productions of "Cinderella," another production of "Annie" in 2006 and one production of "Lil Abner" in 2009 were also in the lineup.

Plans are in the works during the cast reunions to float two proposals – starting a musical scholarship fund and gauging interest in an alumni summer variety show during Concrete River Days.

“If every alumnus would contribute $5, we'd have an amazing start,” Patti Cammack said of the scholarship fund.

To assist with the history project contact Cammack at the high school or email:

[email protected]