BWW Reviews: Fine Tuned OKLAHOMA! at Welk Resort Escondido

Oklahoma!/book & lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II/music by Richard Rodgers/directed & choreographed by Dan Mojica/Welk Resort Theatre, Escondido/through November 16

When Oklahoma! was first produced on Broadway in 1943 it became the first smash hit for newly formed collaborating team Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II and also the first real book musical, preceded only by Showboat. It was a breakthrough musical, which when given a first-class production, is still, some 71 years later, without question, one of the greatest American musicals ever written. "The Farmer and the Cowman" truly represents the philosophy of what America is all about, a unity and pride that is unmistakably individual. Welk Resorts' newest production is wonderfully entertaining, retaining a lot of traditional elements. Director Dan Mojica jubilantly brings together a very talented cast now in Escondido through November 16.

The perfect show...but this is not to say that the state of Oklahoma was without its share of problems or that America was in any way perfect in 1906 - hardly, but when Curly (Allen Everman) sings "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin" to Laurey (Kailey O'Donnell) and to Aunt Eller (Robin LaValley), their divergent reactions typify the beginnings of real American freedom. Laurey is fresh and inexperienced; Aunt Eller, older and wiser, but both, like the earth beneath, are genuine and good. Jud Fry (Will Huse), the strange hired hand who also has eyes for Laurey, is a threat to Laurey's happiness as well as to the entire community. Laurey's pal Ado Annie (Sydney Blair) is her opposite, a flirt who will stop at nothing to satisfy her desires, by keeping both suitor Will Parker (Andrew J. Koslow) and the devious Persian peddler Ali Hakim (Ariel Neydavoud) on a leash. Ah, the lessons to be learned, and what better way to experience it all than by way of the glorious songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein, like "People Will Say We're In Love", "I C'aint Say No", "Kansas City", "Out of My Dreams" and "Many a New Day". Artistically innovative to the show, which would become a R & H trademark - at least again in Carousel - was Agnes DeMille's "Dream Ballet", that foretells the impending threat to Laurey as she finds herself caught between Curly and Jud. Choreographer Mojica does terrific work here and in every other number he stages as with the big broad strokes of "Kansas City" and "Oklahoma". Another genius number is "Pore Jud Is Daid". As I watched and listened this time around, I couldn't help but remark how innovative R & H were in bringing tragedy and comedy together in such a bold and fresh way. Singing to your enemy, encouraging him to kill himself and then pretending to ogle him laid out as a corpse took guts and miles of irreverent humor, especially as early on as the 40s.

The ensemble is so wonderful under Mojica's slick hand. O'Donnell and Everman bring a wholesome, fresh quality to Laurey and Curly. O'Donnell has an especially beautiful voice. Huse is just sensational as Jud Fry giving him an inner psychotic turmoil that seethes. His performance stands out, reminding one of the seedy intensity of the original Rod Steiger of the 50s film. Blair's Ado Annie is deliciously perky and fun and Koslow's Parker, an imperfect, rather goofy but thoroughly congenial suitor. Neydavoud makes Ali Hakem delightfully scheming and LaValley is delectably on target as righteous Aunt Eller. RC Sands is all feisty fun as stubborn Andrew Carnes, Ado Annie's grunting Pa. Kudos to the other members of the large dancing/singing ensemble. Nice work from everyone!

Doug Davis's scenic design works well with its corn as high an an elephant's eye and big ball of sun and moon, Purdy costumes supplied by the Theatre Company of Upland, Jennifer Edward's vibrant lighting and Patrick Hoyny's sound design all add the perfect countrified touches .

This Oklahoma! is well staged, acted, sung and danced. The singing is particularly great with not a mediocre voice within earshot. It is easy to see why the musical has endured on top for 71 years! Its music and homespun characters and humor make it one of R & H's best ever.

http://welkresorts.com/san-diego-theatre/

To post a comment, you must register and login.