by dick kerekes dickkerekes@yahoo.com
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma was voted the most significant musical of the last century by the American Theatre Critics Association. Why? Well probably when it debuted in l943 it was different in many ways from the musical of the day. Before Oklahoma, musicals had stereotyped characters, silly plots and dialogue that were mainly gags. Oklahoma had music that grew out of genuine characters, plot and dialogue. It was the first collaboration of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein.
I personally think, and the reason I voted it # 1, was because it has the best music of any musical. That is it, end of discussion.
As I sat watching this show at gala night at the Alhambra last Friday, I looked around and noticed that the audience was singing or humming along with almost every song that was coming from the stage. Now how many musicals can you say that about?
What songs!! “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning,” “The Surrey With the Fringe On the Top”, “Kansas City,” “I Can’t Say No,” “People Will Say We’re in Love”, “The Farmer and the Cowboy” and “All Er’Nothin” and the final number “Oklahoma”. These songs are all a part of American folklore.
Director Tod Booth has assembled an excellent cast and I don’t know how he could have done any better.
There is tall and handsome Matthew Jay Campbell as Curley who matches up perfectly with the winsome Laurey (Jazmin Gorsline). I saw Ms. Gorsline do this part in 2002 at Jekyll Island Musical Theatre, and she sings ever better now. Both leads have well trained voices and do justice to every note of every song.
Katie Scott is over the top as Ado Annie, the gal who can’t say no. Carole V. Banks is the perfect fit as the wise Aunt Eller.
I have had the opportunity to see W. C. Green in three shows. The first time as Billy Bigelow in Carousel at the Mark Two Dinner Theatre in Orlando. The second time here at the Alhambra as the Beast in Beauty and the Beast and in this show as the sociopath Jud Fly and with his deep deep voice, he convinced me that Jud lives in lonely room.
As I said one of the reasons for the success of Oklahoma are the characters and Ali Hakim, the peddler is one. Tony Triano garners a lion’s share of the laughs in this role.
One of the audience’s favorite roles is the not so bright but energetic Will Parker, played by David Alan Kracke with fantastic energy, especially when he struts his stuff in “Kansas City”.
Alhambra regular, Henry Brewster, scores high marks in humor, as Andrew Carnes, Ado Annie’s daddy.
Tod Booth was joined by Conrad De’Andrea as co-choreographers, with “The Farmer and the Cowmen” as the most boisterous and crowd pleasing number.
The well-known dream scene is often cut, but Director Booth has kept it and it is well done. Usually a ballet, here it is a walk- through scene since the Alhambra stage is too small for the broad steps ballet requires.
Costumer Kurt McCall delights the eye with his costume creations. Not so much with the men since a cowboy or a farm outfit is just that, but the ladies wear some wonderful dresses reflecting the West in l907.
David Dionne’s set design captures the old farm atmosphere. The stage crew does a remarkable quick scene change to Jud’s smokehouse sleeping room.
Gosh, I have gone this far and suddenly realized that I have not given you the plot. Do I really need to? If you have never seen Oklahoma, it is a western with a look at the tension between the farmers and the ranchers and two romances with a happy ending.
Oklahoma is a winner of many awards including a special Pulitzer Price, two Academy Awards, an Honorary Grammy and a special Tony Award. In l993, it became the first Broadway musical to be commemorated in a US postage stamp. The New York Drama League crowned Oklahoma as The Best Musical of the Century.
Rounding out this outstanding cast are Kenneth Uibel,Deborah Gerlach, Shannon Murray, Maria DeSimone, Kerry Vaassen, Robert Frenzel, Juan Unzueta and Jared Miller.
Food Tip: Since this is a western, the buffet, in addition to all the regular favorites, has added a very tasty meat loaf, that is as good as I have ever had.
This show runs through November 26, performances every day but Monday, with matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Take the kids, they will love it, and who knows they may start singing some songs that have lyrics you can understand.
The Alhambra is located at 12000 Beach Blvd. Hey, partner if you are celebrating a birthday between now and November 26, you can mosey on in to see this show FREE. Call 641-1212 for information and reservations.
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