Theater Thursday - Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma

What:  Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma

Where: Circle in the Square Theatre
             1633 Broadway
             New York, NY

Who: Recommended for Ages 13 and Up

When: Through January 19, 2020

Me - Oklahoma was a good show. Allegedly, this production of the show is very different than other productions of the show, but I had never seen it before so I don't know. I enjoyed the production, however. When we walked into the theater, it didn't look like a Broadway theater. It looked like a school auditorium. There wasn't much of a set or a lot of props. Also, the cast was small. They were all really good actors though. My favorite was Ali Stroker who played Ado Annie. She was excellent! The night of the day we saw the show she won the Tony for Best Featured Actress in a musical. She really deserved it! I remember her from The Glee Project, and I am so happy for her! I liked the songs in the show. I had heard a few of the songs before but not all of them. I am looking forward to getting the soundtrack. At the intermission, they gave out free cornbread and chili, but at the intermission my parents both had to go to the bathroom so I waited for them to get back. By the time, we got on the line, the intermission was almost over and we didn't get any. There was only us and a few other people on the line that didn't get any. Other than that I loved the show, and I had a really good time.

Mom - This is not the family friendly Oklahoma full of lively happy chorus numbers that you may be used to. This is Oklahoma stripped down to its bare bones. That is not to say that there are not any happy upbeat numbers in the show. The songs are still the same and so is every line of dialogue. The cast is just smaller and the show is toned down. It is intrepreted in a different less pretty more realistic way. In this version if an event takes place in the dark its going to be dark and if someone gets shot there is going to be blood. Therefore, I would not recommend this version of the show for young children. That is doesn't mean, however, that I am not recommending the show at all.  It is beautifully acted and beautifully sung by all involved. Damon Daunno, as Curly, seems more like someone who would actually be on a farm in Oklahoma than a traditional leading mean. He gives the role a real authenticity and the great twang in his voice only adds to that. Rebecca Naomi Jones' Laurey does not have the air of innocence and naiveness that is typical although she still may not be as worldy as she thinks. Ali Stroker in her groundbreaking Tony winning role as Ado Annie is a fiesty firecracker. She and James Davis as Will Parker are adorable together. This version of the show even comes with free cornbread and chili at the intermission although if you want some get on line quickly. There is enough time and food for most audience members to get fed but not necessarily all audience members, and you don't want to be some of the unlucky few to miss out like we were.

For more about Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma or to purchase tickets, visit
https://oklahomabroadway.com.

Tune in Saturday for a Saturday Special.

Photo credits: All Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma production photos by Little Fang Photo