Posted by Steve Lafferty

August 01, 2014 - 09:37 pm

Hi Shellie, Philip and Debbie. Shellie, I appreciate your sharing the story of being cast as Gertie in Oklahoma!. So heartbreaking to miss the role due to sickness. Thanks Philip, for your stories. I didn't even know that Mr. Gatlin had a Jag! Next to the 125cc Pugh motorcycle that I had at the time, your Sport Coup sounds like a dream! :) And Debbie, it's so nice to hear from you! Loved your performance as Laurey.

Posted by Rosanne McDowell

August 01, 2014 - 01:27 pm

Hey, Dorie, Shellie, Philip, and Debbie, I'm so pleased you are getting a kick out of the website. I'm having fun imagining you having fun with it! :) Blessings!

Posted by Debbie Daniel

August 01, 2014 - 10:50 am

Thanks, Steve and Rosanne, for putting this together for all of us to enjoy and relive those days. I listened to the recording and must say we were pretty good, especially the orchestra. Gene Gatlin was a force in my life, for sure. He has my everlasting gratitude for giving me the chance to play Laurey.

Posted by Philip Smith

July 30, 2014 - 05:56 pm

Wonderful Memories. Gene was a great teacher and Director plus a gifted great guy. He wrote in my annual "Sorry I beat you in the drag race, Good luck in the Future." I do not remember if his Jag beat my Sport Coupe but wild days. Bye Bye Birdie was fun and I must had 5 to 7 small parts as many did. I really enjoyed all the parts from Teenager, Newsman, married man, and Shriner at the end of the table, with the stupid grin Gene told me to do. Still remember the words of his directing for the look he expected from all of us at the Shriners table but not sure if I can put that here. Oklahoma I was just in the pit chorus I was in a bad wreck that year and Gene still made a place for me even though I could not do other parts. Wish I had pictures to share but thanks for refreshing a lot of great memories

Posted by Shellie Goodman

July 29, 2014 - 12:38 pm

so many fun as I look back.. Mr Gatlin was my favorite and was so crushed when I was cast as Gertie by him and then got sick and could not be in show, although Gloria did great job....This is great and I thank you for the great journey back!!

Posted by Steve Lafferty

July 28, 2014 - 07:53 am

Hi Robert, Bette and Dorie! Your kind words are appreciated more than you know. :) So nice to hear from you.

Posted by Dorie Zuk Combs

July 27, 2014 - 10:35 pm

Steve & Roseanne, Thank you for making all of these wonderful memories come back to life! Looking forward to hearing Oklahoma again!

Posted by Rosanne McDowell

July 27, 2014 - 08:09 pm

So glad you're having fun with it, Bette. :) It was a fun project!

Posted by Rosanne McDowell

July 27, 2014 - 08:06 pm

You are most welcome, Robert. It was our pleasure! :)

Posted by Bette Jamison

July 27, 2014 - 08:04 pm

Thank you Steve and Rosanne for a super job with this!!! What a treasure for all of us to enjoy and share with our families. Many KUDOS!!!