Date: Fri 19-Jun-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: DONNAM

Quick Words:

Cabaret-Stern-Oklahoma

Full Text:

(rev "Oklahoma" @Downtown Cabaret Theatre)

Theatre Review--

55 Years Later, Rodgers & Hammerstein's First Musical Is Still So Entertaining

(with cut)

By Julie Stern

BRIDGEPORT -- This is cabaret at its best! There are easily a dozen reasons

why everyone should jump at the chance to see Bridgeport Downtown Cabaret

Theater's current offering of Oklahoma . First and foremost is the show

itself.

First performed 55 years ago on Broadway, Oklahoma represented the first

effort at collaboration by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein (who would go

on to create Carousel , South Pacific , The King and I and The Sound of Music

).

The songs are by turns moving, rousing, romantic and hilarious, and there

isn't a dud or a boring one in the lot.

From the opening strains of "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'," to the penultimate

rendition of "O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A," Rodgers' melodies and Hammerstein's lyrics

make one realize what an electrifying contribution the two men made to

American culture.

Set in the Oklahoma Territory shortly before it attained statehood, the play

centers on the romantic triangle between Laurey, the lively farm girl; Curley,

the dashing cowboy; and Jud, the reclusive hired hand. It is a time of growth

and optimism on the frontier.

The conflict between Jud and Curley is set in motion by a basket supper

social, where the single women auction off picnic dinners -- and their company

-- to raise money for a new school, and a rollicking square dance reminds

everyone that "The Farmer and the Cowman" should be friends because farmers

and ranchers are going to have to live together in the new state.

What made the show especially significant when it originally opened in 1943

was the vision it offered of the American spirit, at a dark time when the

whole world was mired in a terrible war. An overseas touring company brought

the play to the tropical islands of the Pacific, where wounded GIs on

stretchers watched it performed against a backdrop of palm trees. At the close

of the war it became a hit in London, where audiences were delighted with the

swaggering "cowboys" who reminded them of the American servicemen who landed

on the beaches of Normandy.

Kirk Mouser is splendid as Curley, with a stage presence to match his powerful

voice, and Donielle LaVancher plays a cute and sassy Laurey.

Osborn Focht makes an interesting Jud, a dark and sinister figure, but one

whose inarticulate loneliness has a certain frightening familiarity. Focht's

Jud is all too reminiscent of the alienated losers who fill the headlines

today when they turn their automatic weapons on a crowd of happy people.

In the comic sub-plot, where Ado Annie (the gal who "caint say no") must

choose between her devoted dimwit, Will Parker, and the womanizing peddler,

Ali Hakim, the principals are definitely up to the task. Colleen Sudduth is

riotous as the irresolute Annie, and Andrew Thaman is perfect as the feckless

Will who entertains his pals with his account of how "Everything's Up To Date

in Kansas City." Brian Runbeck is a fine comic actor in the role of Ali.

As is traditional, the production uses the original choreography developed by

Agnes DeMille. Laurey's nightmarish "Dream" scene, which closes out the first

act, is absolutely riveting, and the overall effect is enhanced by Lesley

Neilson-Bowman's muted costumes. Hugh Hallinan's lighting, Jeff Modereger's

sets, and Nathan Hurwitz's musical direction all play their part in making

this one of the cabaret's best efforts.

Oklahoma provides a perfect outing for a summer evening, a great opportunity

to introduce kids to a piece of their heritage, and a chance for their elders

to take a happy trip down Memory Lane. The production of Oklahoma gets a very

high recommendation, but be warned: the house was filled to capacity one

recent Sunday evening, so you should call now while tickets are still

available.

(Downtown Cabaret's presentation of Oklahoma will continue through August 2.

Tickets range from $20.50 to $25, depending on show day and time.

Call the theatre, which is located at 263 Golden Hill Street, at 576-1636 for

curtain times and other information.)