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‘Oklahoma!’ rolls into Fox
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
THEATER REVIEW. Grade: B
Oh, what a beautiful mornin’ — bzzzz, bzzzz. Oh, what a beautiful day. Bzzzz, bzzzz, pop!
I’ve got a beautiful feeling everything’s going Theater of the Stars’ way, if it can just fix the sound-system glitches that jarred an otherwise glorious opening of “Oklahoma!” at the Fox Theatre.
Beautifully performed, sumptuously designed and showcasing new adaptations of Agnes de Mille’s original ballets, this handsome new production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic coincides with the rapturously received first Broadway revival of the famous duo’s “South Pacific.” If either of these celebrations of American wholesomeness ever did fade from fashion, they have returned now with the self-assured clippety-clop of a “Surrey with The Fringe on Top.”
Tuesday night at the Fox felt like 1943 again, thanks to director Norb Joerder, choreographer Gemze de Lappe (a de Mille protege) and their cast of 45.
As Laurey, Jennifer Evans sure sings purdy. (And she proved herself quite the trouper when her microphone went out for most of “Many a New Day.”) Nicholas Rodriquez’s Curly is in terrific form as the sexy cowpoke who mesmerizes the ladies and frustrates Jud Fry’s angry attempt to win the hand of Laurey.
De Mille’s ballets may not be as lurid as the dances Susan Stroman created for Trevor Nunn’s 2002 Broadway revival, but the psychosexual tension of the menage a trois is magnified by Ben Crawford’s seething, Mephistopholean approach to Jud. Crawford’s exquisite baritone and pent-up approach owes a debt to Atlanta native Shuler Hensley’s Tony Award-winnning Jud, but Crawford’s “Lonely Room” is no less electric.
As Aunt Eller, Ruth Williamson is pure, corn-pone charm. Sean Montgomery’s Will Parker has the physique of a string bean and the comedic spark of a bag of firecrackers. Betsy Dilellio makes for a cute-as-a-June-bug Ado Annie, even if her singing doesn’t quite hold up. And for all his comic flair, Gary Littman can’t transcend the predictably outsize posturing of peddlar Ali Hakim.
The homage to de Mille comes with built-in blind spots, too, as the dances felt under-rehearsed and antiquated at times. After Stoman’s more integrated approach, the use of doubles in the famous dream sequence seemed a little schizo, and the sheer size of the ensemble meant that not everyone was always in sync.
But these are minor quibbles.
Scenic designer Michael Schweikardt’s prairie homes, smokehouses and windmills are pure and authentic. Jeffrey Meeks’ costumes are paragons of feminine ruffles and masculine bulk. And Kirk Bookman’s splendid lighting makes the endless Oklahoma sky glow with pinks and purples.
There’s nothing like a little Rodgers and Hammerstein to remind us that the land we belong to is grand. And as evidenced here, so is its musical theater tradition.
THE 411: 8 p.m. tonight-Saturday. 2 p.m. Saturday. 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday. Through Sunday. $25-$68. Theater of the Stars, Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-817-8700, ticketmaster.com
Bottom line: As much fun as a box social.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Theater
Comments
By Lucila I. M. Hemmingsen
June 25, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this
I have read your review over and over again, and I still don’t understand many parts of it. Without intending to be rude, I think you should have a more clear way of writing. I was there last night and thought many of the performances were outstanding. Especially, Gary Littman’s was one of them, and believe all of the public felt the same way by giving him an exit applause. I really would appreciate if you could put in understandable words your comment on his performance. Best regards, Lucila I. M. Hemmingsen
By Lucila I. M. Hemmingsen
June 25, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
I have read your review over and over again, and I still don’t understand many parts of it. Without intending to be rude, I think you should have a more clear way of writing. I was there last night and thought many of the performances were outstanding. Especially, Gary Littman’s was one of them, and believe all of the public felt the same way by giving him an exit applause. I really would appreciate if you could put in understandable words your comment on his performance. Best regards, Lucila I. M. Hemmingsen
By Lucila I. M. Hemmingsen
June 25, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this
I have read your review over and over again, and I still don’t understand many parts of it. Without intending to be rude, I think you should have a more clear way of writing. I was there last night and thought many of the performances were outstanding. Especially, Gary Littman’s was one of them, and believe all of the public felt the same way by giving him an exit applause. I really would appreciate if you could put in understandable words your comment on his performance. Best regards, Lucila I. M. Hemmingsen