BWW Reviews: OKLAHOMA Encore at Arena Stage - Oh What Beautiful Evenings (and Afternoons)

Oh, what beautiful mornings, afternoons, and evenings are occurring on the banks of the Potomac River as Arena Stage returns their highly touted classic musical Oklahoma for the benefit of those unable to attend it in the fall of 2010.

Like the Woolly Mammoth Theatre's remounting of the hit Bruce Norris play Clybourne Park (which ends August 14), Artistic Director Molly Smith expects to be filling seats that otherwise would have been empty. With the luxury of three theaters, Smith stated in a nice article by the Washington Post's Nelson Pressley (July 17, 2011) that the project "keeps the Fichandler occupied for a hefty chuck of the coming season."  Also, happy to continue working are the superb cast, the terrific musicians, those working back stage, employees working the refreshment stands, and the many other myriad businesses and restaurants who are by-products of a successful arts scene.

It has been one of the most successful summer seasons for musicals in the DC  area with hits like Wicked and Next to Normal at the Kennedy Center, Rock of Ages at the National, and Grease at the Olney Theatre Center.  When I was asked if I was interested to return to see Oklahoma AGAIN, I didn't hesitate for second.  The show is that good.  I took with one of the toughest critics I've ever known, my son Justin and his lovely wife Sophie who hails from France and has only seen one Broadway musical, Mamma Mia!

They couldn't stop talking about the wonderful performances, the dancing, the incredible music, the entire production.

It's also such a delight to see so many young people attending this show, some very, very young.  I often watched for their reactions during the performance.  It was easy to spot some of them in the front row with constant smiles on their faces obviously in awe at one was occurring on the stage where they could in almost reach out and touch the actors.  This is certainly a show that can be experienced by entire families.

My review dated November 29, 2010 is located elsewhere on this site.  Suffice it to say, I love this show.  Director Molly Smith has assembled an incredible team.  While Smithdid not receive the Helen Hayes Award for Best Director, the show was honored for Outstanding Resident Musical.  Other Helen Hayes winners were Parker Esse for his superb choreography, George Fulginiti-Shakar for Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production (what a great 13 piece orchestra), and the talented Nicholas Rodriguez (Curly) for Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Musical.

The incomparable E. Faye Butler was duly nominated for a Hayes Award for her role as Aunt Eller.  However, due to her beginning rehearsals for the Arena Stage presentation of Trouble in Mind (running September 9 to October 23 in the Kreeger Theatre), Butler ends her role August 7.

Other standouts in the production, thankfully reprising their roles, are Eleasha Gamble (Laurey), Nehal Joshi (Ali Hakim),  Aaron Ramey (Jud Fry),  June Schreiner (Ado Annie) and Cody Williams (Will Parker).

Be a part of history and see the Arena Stage's all-time, best selling show.

For tickets, call 202-488-3300 or visit www.arenastage.org.

There are also Family Fun Packs available for families with two children.  And for free family events, go to www.arenastage.org/shows-tickets/the-season/production/oklahoma/events.

And for an unusual evening, have a gourmet dinner cruise on the boat the "Odyssey" (from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  followed by an 8 p.m. performance.

I also suggest Arena Stage have available for sale CDs of Oklahoma  for patrons who want to listen to the great music on the way home.

For comments, write to cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.

 

 

To post a comment, you must register and login.