Production History

Carpenter Square Theatre presented Katie Forgette’s The O’Conner Girls as its Season 24 holiday production, directed by Terry Veal. Set during Christmas 1997 in a small Minnesota town, the comedy follows a family sorting through the belongings of its recently deceased patriarch, Tom O’Conner, a World War II veteran and former movie theatre operator. Boxes of keepsakes reveal unexpected pieces of his life, prompting his widow and daughters to reconsider the man they thought they knew. Irish wit, Catholic guilt, sibling tensions, and the possibility of new romance mingle in this story of loss and rediscovery. Kyle Watson appeared as Dr. David Stevens while also designing the lighting and serving as sound engineer.

CST Connections

Terry Veal directed the preceding season’s holiday production, The Last Night of Ballyhoo (2006).
Laurel Jaworsky portrayed Amanda Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie (2002), also directed by Veal.
Jo Perryman and Donna Mackie brought their extensive Oklahoma theatre experience to the ensemble.
Kris Schinske later appeared in A Nice Family Gathering, Almost, Maine, and The Clean House during Season 25.

Press and Photography

“Carpenter Square’s ‘O’Conner Girls’ Rings Secrets, Laughs from Patriarch’s Passing,” Oklahoma Gazette, November 29, 2007 — Linda McDonald praised Veal’s direction and the ensemble’s warmth and character detail, describing the production as a satisfying holiday offering.
“The O’Conner Girls,” The Oklahoman, November 30, 2007
“Theater Notes,” The Oklahoman, November 23, 2007

Acknowledgments

Cast sponsors — Larry and Leah Westmoreland

Special thanks — Tom Harrington; Marilyn Veal; David Perryman; CityRep; Jon Womastek; Doobie Potter; Seth Sanders

Licensing

Dramatists Play Service, Inc. — now administered through Concord Theatricals.

THEATRE UP CLOSE & PERSONAL

Laurel Jaworsky