Oklahoma! — StageWrite Post

4 out of 5 Stars

“Oh, what a beautiful day” indeed in this innovatively updated production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, but this is the 2019 rendering, not the 1943 Broadway debut or 1955 film version. Yes, Oklahoma is still on the verge of becoming a US state, however, this territory is now settled with folks dealing with gun violence, bullying, white privilege, law-bending, stand your ground, and equality of the sexes – sound familiar? Directed by Daniel Fish, not one word of the script or one note of the music has been changed and yet this is a thoroughly modern production and the issues that trouble today’s society are brought into sharp focus through skilled acting, creative staging, and imaginative lighting.

The glorious songs and background score have received a refreshing update as well. Orchestrator, Daniel Kluger, stripped away the number of musicians from 28 to seven and added steel guitar, mandolin, and banjo. The effect is crisp and bright with a big nod to country and individual musicianship. In fact, we get to watch these performers at work right on stage and the energy and emotion they instill in the music adds to the power and liveliness of the experience.

Damon Daunno plays the affable Curly McLain with a mocking swagger and a nonchalant demeanor. Mr. Daunno is a fine singer and accomplished guitar player who hones Curly’s slightly sinister underbelly to expose a charmingly wily instigator and agitator. The object of Curly’s affection is the lovely and aloof Laurey Williams who lives with her Aunt Eller. Rebecca Naomi Jones is beautiful of voice and holds her own capably against Mr. Daunno. We would like to see her add more charm to Laurey so that the character is less brittle and more engaging to go along with her queen of the prairie confidence.

Rebecca Naomi Jones as Laurey and Damon Daunno as Curly McLain

Aunt Eller, played by the marvelous Mary Testa, truly holds court in this rough and tumble world and is the wise matriarch who keeps the farmers and cowpokes and sassy misses in line. Ms. Testa owns the stage in the best possible way and we will long remember her stand out acting and singing.

Damon Daunno as Curley and Mary Testa as Aunt Eller

Another standout performance is by Ali Stroker as the boy crazy Ado Annie. Ms. Stroker has a sparkling voice and radiant presence and her rendition of “I Cain’t Say No” brought down the house.

Patrick Vaill as Jud Fry, Laurey’s competing suitor and Aunt Eller’s handyman, plays this key role with sensitivity, simmering menace, and quivering emotion. This Jud has disheveled, Kurt Cobain good looks that could be appealing to Laurey but his stalker behavior and misfit persona have the opposite effect.

One misstep for us was the dance/dream sequence that opens the second act. This was originally and famously choreographed by Agnes de Mille. The jarring music is too loud, cowboy boots strangely drop from the ceiling, and Gabrielle Hamilton, the lithe and powerful dancer, is given inscrutable choreography. She seems as lost as we are.

There are many laugh-out-loud scenes in this Oklahoma! and much of it oozes charm and delight, but as the musical speeds along to the finale, circumstances turn dark and the vigorous optimism of these territory folks decidedly dims. It all comes together to create entertaining, emmersive, and thought-provoking theater. Plus you get to have those marvelous songs rolling around in your head days later.

Why we went: Lots of buzz from the St. Ann’s Warehouse production

MSG