Bord Gáis Energy Theatre have unveiled the principal cast for its highly anticipated in-house production of the timeless Rodgers & Hammerstein musical OKLAHOMA!, directed by Claire Tighe, with musical direction by David Hayes and choreography by David Bolger.
Leading an all-Irish cast, pop powerhouse David James Whelan will star as Curly McLain, alongside Cork-born musical theatre star Molly Lynch as Laurey Williams. Together, they will bring fresh energy and on-stage chemistry to reawaken one of the most beloved musicals of all time.
This brand-new staging, celebrating the very best of Irish talent both on and off stage, will run from 19 June – 05 July 2026 for a strictly limited run. Tickets, priced from €29.80, are on sale now via Ticketmaster.
Molly Lynch & David James Whelan stars of the upcoming Bord Gáis Energy Theatre production of Oklahoma pictured when details were announced of the musical which comes to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre From 19 June to 05 July 2026.Pictures Brian McEvoy
David James Whelan is best known as a song writer and lead singer with indie-pop band Wild Youth who have enjoyed Irish chart success and toured extensively with artists such as Lewis Capaldi, The Script and Ed Sheeran. David recently made his professional musical theatre debut, starring as the Beast in the Gaiety Pantomime’s 2025/26 production of Beauty and the Beast.
Molly Lynch is an actor, singer and musician from Cork who has performed in London’s West End and beyond. Renowned for her beautifully expressive voice and magnetic stage presence, Molly has delivered standout performances in a wide range of roles, including Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, Betty Schaefer in Sunset Boulevard and Maria Von Trappe in The Sound of Music.
Further lead cast announced include Oliver Flitcroft as Jud Fry, Rachel Gaughan as Ado Annie Carnes, Enda Oates as Andrew Carnes, Sacha Koplewsky as Will Parker and Molly Logan as Aunt Eller Murphy and Julian Capolei as Ali Hakim.
Joining the ensemble are cast of celebrated and rising stars including Katie Rose Weir, Jessica Lee Hayes, Rachel Ensor, Jennifer O’Donovan, Chloe Riordan, Zoe Talbot, Aidan Jolliffe-Byrne, Brian Dalton, Reece McGowan, Caolán James, Benjamin Collins, James Deegan, Stephen O’Riain.
About the cast:
David James Whelan star of the upcoming Bord Gáis Energy Theatre production of Oklahoma pictured when details were announced of the musical which comes to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre From 19 June to 05 July 2026.Pictures Brian McEvoy
No Repro fee for one use
David James Whelan (Curly McLain)
David began his performing career age 13 when he joined the Billie Barry Stage School. This is where he got his first taste of show business, performing in many Billie Barry productions up to the age of 19. He is best known as front man of the band Wild Youth, writing numerous hit songs amounting to millions of streams across all streaming platforms with the likes of “Can’t move on” “Making me Dance” and “Next to you”. David and his band toured extensively, selling out headline shows in Ireland, the UK and Europe, including 3 sold-out 3Olympia theatre shows. He performed at major festivals including main stage of Electric Picnic, and iconic venues like Croke Park and the Royal Albert Hall in London. David has played alongside and supported artists such as: Ed Sheeran, Westlife, Lewis Capaldi, Niall Horan, The Script, Mumford and sons, Kodaline, Aslan, The Coronas, Gavin James, and many, many more.
David was a celebrity finalist on RTÉ Television’s Dancing with the Stars 2024, and represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest, Liverpool 2023. David most recently starred in Gaiety Pantomime’s 2025/26 production of Beauty and the Beast in the title role of The Beast.
Molly Lynch star of the upcoming Bord Gáis Energy Theatre production of Oklahoma pictured when details were announced of the musical which comes to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre From 19 June to 05 July 2026.Pictures Brian McEvoy
No Repro fee for one use
Molly Lynch (Laurey Williams)
Hailing from Cork and trained at the Cork School of Music and London’s Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Molly Lynch has just finished wowing audiences starring as Maria in Nikolai Foster’s critically acclaimed production of The Sound of Music with The Guardian describing Molly’s performance as ‘tremendous’, whilst What’s On Stage wrote ‘Molly Lynch is astounding as Maria, bringing warmth, charm, and vulnerability to the role with effortless grace. Her journey feels authentic and captivating.’
Molly previously starred as the leading role of Eliza Doolittle in the hit 2024/25 production of My Fair Lady at Curve Theatre. In their five-star review, The Telegraph called her performance a ‘career-making turn ... in her picture-perfect vocally impeccable Eliza … a star is born’ Molly has also recently performed on stage at the National Theatre in Joe Mantello's staging of Sonheim's final work, Here We Are.
Other stage work includes Killing the Cat at Riverside Studios; The Light In the Piazza, at the Royal Festival Hall and Los Angeles; and the leading role of Cathy in Southwark Playhouse's critically acclaimed production of The Last Five Years, which had a West End transfer in 2021.
Oliver Flitcroft (Jud Fry)
Oliver is from Dublin and is a graduate of the Bachelor in Acting (Hons) Course at The Lir Academy. He recently played the role of Glen in Cara Christie’s Brambles at Dublin Fringe Festival 2025 and Bartell D’Arcy in the Landmark/ANU production of The Dead. He has also recently completed filming the role of Constable Weaver in The CW series Sherlock & Daughter and the role of John Hughes in Season 2 of Apple+/Merman series Bad Sisters. Further screen credits include Arthur in Castle X and Brian in The Dry for ITVX and RTÉ.
Recent stage credits include the roles of Buck Mulligan in Telemachus and Joe Hynes in Cyclops (Volta), Laertes and Guildenstern in Hamlet (National Opera House, Wexford); Here We Go Again by Hannah Mamalis (24 Hour Plays/Abbey Theatre); Ronán in Seán Mac Dhonnagáin’s An Chos Eile (Aerach Aiteach Gaelach/Axis Ballymun) and Warrior (Smock Alley/Dublin Theatre Festival). He also recently participated in Conversations on a Playwright: Tom Murphy as Harry Stone in The Sanctuary Lamp (dir: Marty Rea). Further stage credits include the role of Tom in Gold in the Water at the Project Arts Centre; the RTÉ production Toy Show: The Musical and Edna O’Brien’s Joyce’s Women at the Abbey Theatre. Lir credits include the role of ‘Bo’ in Branden Jacobs Jenkins’ Appropriate (dir: Joy Nesbitt); the role of The Man in Jez Butterworth’s The River (dir: Cathal Cleary); Moisés Kaufman’s The Laramie Project (dir: Davey Kelleher); the role of Alexander Ignatevich Vershinin’ in Chekov’s Three Sisters (dir: Marc Atkinson Borrull) and the role of Mr. Webb in Thornton Wilder’s Our Town (dir: Wayne Jordan).
Rachel Gaughan (Ado Annie Carnes)
Rachel Gaughan is a mezzo-soprano from Mayo. She received a scholarship to study Musical Theatre at American College Dublin in 2021 and received the Anne O'Neill Bursary from A.I.M.S. in 2022. She works as a singing teacher in multiple stage schools across the Greater Dublin Area. Training: AFA Musical Theatre - American College Dublin
Theatre credits: Hannah in The Snow Queen (Theatreworx), Ensemble & cover Audrey in Little Shop Of Horrors (Bord Gáis Energy Theatre) Sunny in Rapunzel (Theatreworx), Mam/Angie in A Little Heart (Cillian O’Donnachadha), Nan in A Good Room (Hysteria Comedy), Lizzie in Treasure Island (Theatreworx), The Rose Princess in A Storybook Singalong (Civic Theatre) Film credits: Music Video Girl in Flora & Son (John Carney) Credits while training: Margo in the Irish premiere of Bright Star, Mrs Spencer/Ensemble in Merrily We Roll Along, Adrian in The Tempest, Ensemble in Ivona, Princess Of Burgundia.
Enda Oates (Andrew Carnes)
Enda Oates is an IFTA award winning Irish Actor. He has appeared in over 50 TV and film productions as well as theatre and radio over his thirty years plus career. Enda is well known to Irish television audiences for his ongoing role as Pete Ferguson in RTÉ Flagship Drama, Fair City. He also spent many seasons as a cast member playing Rev. George Black in the much-loved series, Glenroe.
He is also a highly accomplished theatre actor having appeared in many productions at the National Theatre, The Abbey, over the years as well as many other independent theatre productions.
Recent productions include Nancy Harris’s Somewhere Out There.. and Rathmines Road by Deirdre Kinihan, both productions at The Abbey for the Dublin Theatre Festival. He has appeared in the musicals; Jacques Brel Is Alive And Well at The Gate Theatre, The Ha’penny Bridge at the old Point Theatre and Elvis is my Daddy.
TV & Film Highlights Include: Moone Boy, Damo and Ivor, Striking Out, Fair City, The Secret Scripture, The Fall, The Stardust Disaster, I Dolours and God’s Creatures. He has played his fair share of Police Men, Politicians and Revolutionaries from James Connolly to Dermot Aherne as well as appearing in The Biopic of Charlie Haughey. He has worked with Directors Jim Sheridan, Barry Levinson, Sam Mendes, Joel Schumacher, Pat O’Connor, Chris O’Dowd, Thaddeus O’Sullivan and John Boorman, among others.
Theatre Highlights Include: Prospero in The Tempest, Shylock in The Merchant of Venice, Philadelphia Here I Come, The Field, The Chastitute, Big Maggie, The Country Boy, Astrov in Uncle Vanya, The Plough and The Stars with Judi Dench, Juno and the Paycock, G. B. Shaw’s, St. Joan and The Devil’s Disciple, Fishamble’s True Believers by Joseph O’Connor and Paul Mercier’s Studs, among others.
Sacha Koplewsky (Will Parker)
Belfast native Sacha recently graduated with a First Class BA (Hons) in Musical Theatre from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. He has also just completed his first professional performances since graduation, playing Alfie in The White Handkerchief at the Millenium Forum, Derry and ensemble/cover Theo in Vagabond Skies (Gilded Balloon). Further theatre credits whilst training include Moritz Stiefel in Spring Awakening, Clyde Barrow in Bonnie & Clyde, Mysterious Man in Into the Woods, Grandpa George in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Albert Lennox The Secret Garden.
Molly Logan (Aunt Eller Murphy)
Molly is a graduate of RADA. Recent stage credits include the role of ‘Maggie’ in The Gate Theatre production of Brian Friel’s Dancing at Lughnasa (dir. Caroline Byrne) and Christian O’Reilly’s Ferocity (dir. Andrew Flynn).
Further theatre credits include Miracle at Number 34 (The Grand Opera House Studio, Belfast); A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Blue Stockings, Twelfth Night, The Taming of the Shrew, Macbeth, The Fir Tree (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London); The Tempest (Sam Wanamaker Theatre, London); Rapunzel (Waterfront Hall, Belfast); A Christmas Carol (The Mac Theatre, Belfast) Love from a Stranger (UK Tour); Secret Seven (Storyhouse Theatre, Chester); Grapes of Wrath (UK tour); Sleeping Beauty (The Watermill Theatre); Once a Catholic (Kiln Theatre/ Royal Court, Liverpool); 24 Hour Plays (The Old Vic Theatre, London). Molly was a Stephen Sondheim Student of the Year finalist (The Queen’s Theatre, London). Molly’s screen credits include Ballywalter (dir. Prasanna Puwanarajah); Holding (ITV); The Invader’s Song (dir. Emma Swinton); Dave Allen at Peace (BBC); Doctors (BBC); Our Girl (BBC) and Spoof or Die (Channel 4).
Julian Capolei (Ali Akim)
Training includes: First male member of The Irish National Youth Ballet Company and Debbie Allen School of Dance (Dublin). Chorister in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Alto saxophone at DIT. Acting and musical theatre at ITW, The Gaiety School of Acting and The Irish Film Academy. BA in Musical Theatre, The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (2016). Credits include: Omar - Disney's Aladdin, West End (Prince Edward Theatre), Cabaret, West End(The Kit Kat Club), Tommy - Tommy (Ramps on the Moon National Tour), Aladdin - Aladdin (The Gaiety Theatre), Grimsby/Vanessa- Unfortunate: The Musical Tour and London Production (Southwark Playhouse), Sinbad - Sinbad The Sailor (Theatre Royal Stratford East), John - Peter Pan (Derby Theatre), Still Game (SSE Hydro), Choreographer - Billie The Kid (Vaudeville Theatre), Eddie - Marlow Murder Club (ITV), Quartet Singer - The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra Tour, Luigi - If I Had You (London workshop).
About Rodgers and Hammerstein:
After long and highly distinguished careers with other collaborators, Richard Rodgers (Composer, 1902-79) and Oscar Hammerstein II (Librettist/Lyricist, 1895-1960) joined forces in 1943 to create the most successful partnership in American Musical Theatre.
Prior to joining forces, Rodgers collaborated with lyricist Lorenz Hart on musical comedies that epitomized wit and sophistication (Pal Joey, On Your Toes, Babes In Arms and more), while Hammerstein brought new life to operetta and created the classic Show Boat with Jerome Kern.
OKLAHOMA! became the first of whole new genre, the musical play, representing a unique fusion of Rodgers' musical comedy and Hammerstein's operetta. A milestone in the development of the American musical, it also marked the beginning of the most successful partnership in Broadway musical history, and was followed by Carousel, Allegro, South Pacific, The King And I, Me And Juliet, Pipe Dream, Flower Drum Song and The Sound Of Music.
Rodgers & Hammerstein wrote one musical specifically for the big screen, State Fair, and one for television, Cinderella. Collectively, the musicals of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II earned 42 Tony Awards, 15 Academy Awards, two Pulitzer Prizes, two Grammy Awards and 2 Emmy Awards. In 1998 Rodgers & Hammerstein were cited by Time Magazine and CBS News as among the 20 most influential artists of the 20th century.
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