SOUTH AFRICA—Nine members of the Cape Town congregation entered the warm Artscape Theater Center on the winter evening of August 2 to see the Rodgers and Hammerstein Oklahoma! musical, presented by the Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society.

For some, it was their first visit to a theater to watch a musical. Members buzzed with pre-show excitement as the lights dimmed and the overture began, followed by the opening number, “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’.”

“The whole show was much better than I expected,” event organizer Neal Simpson said after watching the musical production filled with outstanding vocal and dance performances, colorful costumes, life-like sets, romance and comedy.

“What a truly wonderful musical,” member Tessa van Heerden said. “It made one feel so joyful. I really enjoyed it very much and definitely want to do this more often.”