The smash-hit musical Hamilton is playing at the Civic Center from August 11th to August 23rd, which means one thing: Elvie Ellis is back… but did he really ever leave?

Elvie grew up in Oklahoma City where he received his musical training at Classen SAS before graduating with a degree in vocal education from the University of Oklahoma. (He was also Boomer, the mascot, and Ryan got him to share a few stories with us). Elvie’s ascent into theatre, where he now tours with Hamilton, is a both a testament to his talent and a credit to his unrelenting resolve. Before joining Hamilton, a show he tried out for six times, he played Judas in the national tour of Jesus Christ Superstar and also played swing in Waitress. He’s performed on Broadway in New York and the West End of London. And throughout all of those stops, he continued working in a hybrid position at OU Health Sciences Center until recently when he opened his own show.

Get yourself a ticket and go watch an Oklahoma Cityan perform at the Civic Center. It’s too hot to do anything else. Football doesn’t start for three more weeks. No excuses.

Links

Watch Hamilton (8/11-8/23) at the OKC Civic Center

Watch Elvie perform his new show “Tomorrow, Tonight” at Sooner Theatre (8/17)

Follow Elvie on Instagram

Check out Elvie’s website

*Best of OKC Culture: Follow Caboose Coffee on Instagram

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/ugly-mothers/armisticeLicense code: 4FKLPIAMMJW3LZJ6

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedryline.substack.com

If you want to enjoy your life in Oklahoma, in August, in this heat dome, you must be ruthless and decisive. Afternoon eats morning for breakfast. Don’t let it eat you too, Ryan says. Out maneuver it.

This week, Ryan puts forth his rankings of the times of day in an Oklahoma summer. As you might expect, some of these times of day really suck. That’s okay. Because the glory that awaits you, if you’re strategic, at the right time of day, makes all the suffering worth it.

And so does Braum’s. See you there at nine.

Show Notes

Follow Paul Lewis’s sculpture journey

Check out Uncommon Ground’s vision for a park in Edmond

How High School Football Teams are “Beating the Heat” - The Oklahoman

The Most Beautiful Color Scheme Ever Imagined for a Soccer Team - OKC United

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedryline.substack.com

Ryan went to Frontier City a few weekends ago with his wife, in-laws, and infant son. His mission? To rip as many rides as possible before the park closed. But… as he rode the coasters of his youth and toured the grounds he knows by heart, he felt something inside himself changing, maybe even maturing.

Ryan ranks the roller coasters too, then discusses the burgeoning food scene, and finishes by giving Frontier City some pointers on how to improve their beer selection.

Moral: go to Frontier City. It’s still awesome.

Links

Ryan’s full essay from earlier this week on his lifelong dream of riding The Wildcat at night

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/ugly-mothers/armisticeLicense code: 4FKLPIAMMJW3LZJ6

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedryline.substack.com

Ryan reviews OKC’s hottest restaurant MAHT, Kevin Lee’s modern American steakhouse, and afterward, poses a dangerous question:

Is MAHT already OKC’s best restaurant?

Ryan's full review from this week: MAHT Shoots for the Moon and Lands on Pretty Damn Good

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/ugly-mothers/armisticeLicense code: 4FKLPIAMMJW3LZJ6

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedryline.substack.com

You don't get the chief meteorologist you need. You get the chief meteorologist you deserve. The Dry Line's Editor-in-Chief, Ryan Fightmaster, approaches—with respectful ruthlessness—the most consequential conversation starter in Oklahoma City: “So, who is your favorite meteorologist?”

Ryan watched weeks of weather coverage, spanning back to the 90s. He watched all of this spring's weather coverage on every OKC network. He watched all 15 local meteorologists do the morning, mid-day, and nightly weather. And what he has for us... is a 2026 post-storm season power ranking of Oklahoma City's meteorologists. A top 10. That nobody asked for but he really wanted to do. Because he loves the weather like a good Oklahoman should.

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Links

Ryan's article from this week

Join The Dry Line's substack and never miss an article. Link here.

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Until the next time, we'll expect to see you at The Power House.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedryline.substack.com