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Oklahoma!
Music by Richard Rodgers
Book & Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Based on the play Green Grow the Lilacs by Lynn Riggs
Directed by Rudy Hogenmiller
Musical Direction by Roger L. Bingamen
Choreography by Stacey Flaster
Produced by Light Opera Works
At Cahn Auditorium
600 Emerson Street
Evanston , IL
Call 848-869-6300, tickets $28- $80
Wednesday, December 26 at 2 pm
Thursday, December 17 at 2 pm
Fridays, December 28 at 8 pm
Saturday, December 29 at 2 & 8 pm
Sunday, December 30 at 2 pm
Monday, December 31 at 8 pm
Running time is 3 hours with intermission
Through December 31, 2007
"Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweeping down the plain,"
"Where the waving wheat can sure smell sweet"
"When the wind comes right behind the rain."
"Oklahoma, every night my honey-lamb and I,"
"Sit along and talk, and watch a hawk,"
"Making lazy circles in the sky."
"We know we belong to this land,"
"And the land we belong to is grand,"
"And when we say, Ay yippy yi ki yea,"
"We're only saying, "You're doing fine, Oklahoma,""
"Oklahoma, your OK."
Oklahoma! sparkles with full orchestra, stellar voices and wonderful dances.
The classic American musical, Oklahoma! still holds up after 64 years. Kudos to Light Opera Works for presenting the full version with a 28 member orchestra using Robert Russell Bennett’s arrangements of Richard Rodgers fabulous score.
Oklahoma! opened in 1943 on Broadway, lasted over five years (an unheard of run in that era of 2,248 performances) toured the USA for ten years playing to over 250 cities and playing to an audience in excess of ten million. Critically acclaimed as the first ‘musical play,’ where all the songs came out of character, furthered the plot where music, lyrics and book combined with dance to tell the story. Oklahoma! was the first Broadway musical to incorporate ballet as a storytelling devise in the famous “Dream Ballet” act-ending number. In short, Oklahoma! changed how Broadway did musicals making it a landmark show where song and dance became key elements in the storytelling.
Oklahoma! was the first collaboration for Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II who went on the reshape Broadway with Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, State Fair and The Sound of Music. Stephen Sondheim lovingly referred to Oklahoma! as “Oscar’s picnic.” Oklahoma! contains one of the finest and most memorable scores ever written for the stage and the creative genius of Rodgers & Hammerstein instantly becomes apparent within the first few bars of “Oh, What A Beautiful Morin’.“
Rudy Hogenmiller and the folks at Light Opera Works are totally committed to mounting classic musicals and operettas with a full ensemble and a full orchestra passing on the rich tradition of classic works.
The boyishly charming and fine voiced Will Reynolds as Curly and the winning Natalie Ford with her terrific vocal skills as Laurey anchor the show. Peggy Roeder’s Aunt Eller was in full command of many scenes. Karl Hamilton’s Ali Hakin was funny and Kate Palardy’s Ado Annie each contribute excellent work to this ensemble piece. Jackson Evans’ Will Parker is the lovable cowboy determined to marry Ado Annie if she can just learn to say ‘no’ to men. Evans leads the terrific dancers in the rousing “Kansas City.”
Choreographer Stacy Flasher’s fabulously creative exhilarating routines add much to the texture of the show. She pays homage to Agnes de Mills’ choreography while adding some clever small twist to make this Oklahoma! a pure dance show of the highest caliber. Oklahoma! has such a marvelously spellbinding final act number as the “Dream Ballet.” The integration of rich lighting (by Andrew H. Meyer) with vivid costuming (by Nikki Delhomme) with Flaster’s wonderful ballet moves makes the “Dream Ballet” moving and quite artistic. This ballet was exquisitely executed with precision. Melissa Mulvaney and D Eric Woolweber are the Dream dancers.
Richard Rodgers’ score sounded fine with Roger L. Bingaman orchestra. The voices are all strong and clear. From Will Reynolds charming “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’ ” & “The Surrey With The Fringe On Top” immediately charms us. Kat Palardy’s funny “I’m Just A Girl Who Can’t Say No” is a classic character rich song full of honesty. The hauntingly romantic duet “People Will Say We’re In Love” has Reynolds and Ford sending romantic sparks across the stage.
Alex Honzen as the villain Jud Fry hits the lower register marvelously with Will Reynolds in satirical “Poor Jud is Daid” duet. Honzen lands his sad lament in “Lonely Room.” The girls are dainty and dance devinely in ”Out of My Dreams.”“The Farmer And the Cowman” is a bouncy barn-dance ensemble piece that moves to a toe-tapping rhythm. Ado Annie and Will Parker reach agreement with “All Er Nuthin.” Laurey & Curly finally get married and celebrate their nuptial with the anthem “Oklahoma” still one of the finest show tunes ever.
It is so delightful to see and hear a magnificent score so well produced. Oklahoma! is in good hands with Light Opera Works. Treat your family to the wonders of one of the great American classics—you’ll leave humming the rich melodies.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed December 22, 2007
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