Threaded Order Chronological Order
| re: TB REGIONAL REVIEW: "OKLAHOMA!" in CHICAGO | |
| Posted by: PlazaBoy 03:06 pm EST 01/16/22 | |
| In reply to: TB REGIONAL REVIEW: "OKLAHOMA!" in CHICAGO - T.B._Admin. 01:25 pm EST 01/16/22 | |
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| I'm glad I passed on seeing this. It sounds dreadful. This and other touring shows in Chicago are offering two for one tickets. Including Moulin Rouge which surprised me. Unless it is show I really want to see, I'm not heading to the theater at the moment. Although, I'm not sure sitting in a theater is more or less risky than most activities. Other than staying home, everything feels like a roll of the dice at the moment. |
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| re: TB REGIONAL REVIEW: "OKLAHOMA!" in CHICAGO | |
| Posted by: MTPROF77 04:17 pm EST 01/16/22 | |
| In reply to: re: TB REGIONAL REVIEW: "OKLAHOMA!" in CHICAGO - PlazaBoy 03:06 pm EST 01/16/22 | |
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| This Woke-lahoma was, indeed, dreadful. | |
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| re: TB REGIONAL REVIEW: "OKLAHOMA!" in CHICAGO | |
| Posted by: BruceinIthaca 07:44 pm EST 01/16/22 | |
| In reply to: re: TB REGIONAL REVIEW: "OKLAHOMA!" in CHICAGO - MTPROF77 04:17 pm EST 01/16/22 | |
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| I liked it, but it's one of my least favorite of the major Rodgers and Hammerstein to begin with and I was in the chorus of it in high school, which wasn't as much fun as you might think ("Li'l Abner" was the most fun chorus experience I had). I don't think Fish's re-visioning works for everything (and he probably tries to do too many things in the course of one production--including media effects that don't work and a "dream ballet," which, while well-danced, didn't seem to me to have much to do with the plot--even if viewed on a purely expressionistic level). But there were many things--including a number of performances--in the Broadway production that were exciting. I don't know whether I think Fish's staging could be successfully adapted to a proscenium and I would need to see the touring production to decide whether the idea of casting trans performers as the secondary couple (Ado Annie and Will) brings anything productive (especially if the vocal ranges need to be adapted to typical differences between male and female voices--though I realize that it all depends on each performer--some may have vocal ranges that, either innately or because of hormone therapy, sit in the ranges, fit the score as written). I did like the adaptation of the orchestration for country band--not the same as the sweeping sound opf the full orchestra, but inventive. So there--just another opinion |
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| re: TB REGIONAL REVIEW: "OKLAHOMA!" in CHICAGO | |
| Posted by: AlexanderKat 11:33 am EST 01/17/22 | |
| In reply to: re: TB REGIONAL REVIEW: "OKLAHOMA!" in CHICAGO - BruceinIthaca 07:44 pm EST 01/16/22 | |
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| How sad to read this review. My first exposure to OKLAHOMA was a City Center production with a young exuberant cast including Susan Watson, John Davidson, and Karen Morrow. But the most enjoyable production of the show for me was the 1979 Broadway revival production directed by William Hammerstein. It just worked so well and seemed so fresh for a decades-old show I'm all for new takes on a classic musical but I see no reason for seeing what sounds like a major directional blunder on so many levels. As for the seven-piece orchestras, I'm still perplexed as to how the theatre-going public has been fine with the reduction of musicians in recent years. And the thought of Laurey dancing to a heavy metal guitar is more than I can bear. Guess I 'll stick my memories I guess. | |
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| re: TB REGIONAL REVIEW: "OKLAHOMA!" in CHICAGO | |
| Posted by: Singapore/Fling 05:57 pm EST 01/17/22 | |
| In reply to: re: TB REGIONAL REVIEW: "OKLAHOMA!" in CHICAGO - AlexanderKat 11:33 am EST 01/17/22 | |
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| I saw this production on Broadway, and it was wonderful. The direction was sublime, with Fish using a number of downtown theater ideas and blowing them up to Broadway scale in order to create a satisfying new take on showbiz razzmatazz. I can't speak to how well the production works when it's attempting to fill a massive proscenium theater, but in the intimacy of Circle in the Square, moments like the pitch black scene between Curly and Jud felt monumental, asking the audience to engage in the story in a new and profound way - and then when we suddenly get this blown-up close-up of Jud's face, it's devastating. This is one reason why video is not used throughout the production: it hits hard precisely because it is a unique event. The reviewer here is clearly struggling with the way it's directed, and rather than investigating what has been presented and attempting to understand why it's done the way it's done, is instead condemning it for not conforming to the reviewer's idea of "good" directing. That's within their purview as a critic, but it strikes me as a rather hysterical reaction to a well-conceived production that, at least in the round, brought the material into the present in ways that made it feel fresh and new. Obviously, it's not going to be for everyone, but like it or hate it, this production was not a blunder. |
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| agree... | |
| Posted by: garyd 07:29 pm EST 01/17/22 | |
| In reply to: re: TB REGIONAL REVIEW: "OKLAHOMA!" in CHICAGO - Singapore/Fling 05:57 pm EST 01/17/22 | |
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| the Circle in the Square production was superb. I too wonder how it will play in proscenium. However, we found it to be a thought-provoking, entertaining and bold production. To be honest, I still ponder the meaning of the dream ballet which I found a bit baffling. | |
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| disagree? | |
| Posted by: HadriansMall 07:48 pm EST 01/17/22 | |
| In reply to: agree... - garyd 07:29 pm EST 01/17/22 | |
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| I found the Broadway production to be just "okay." It was experimental and - like many experiments - was varied in it's success. The comedic/musical comedy elements were changed most in my opinion and the show suffered for it. The evening at Circle in the Square was definitely elevated by generally stellar acting (though Ali Stroker's charms continue to evade me). I wasn't clutching my pearls at the interpretation (there really weren't many "changes") - OKLAHOMA! is no sacred cow to me - but I also did not find it earth-shattering. As that character from The Devil Wears Prada might say "Gay Subtext for Jud and Curly? Groundbreaking." |
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| re: TB REGIONAL REVIEW: "OKLAHOMA!" in CHICAGO | |
| Posted by: PlazaBoy 01:41 pm EST 01/17/22 | |
| In reply to: re: TB REGIONAL REVIEW: "OKLAHOMA!" in CHICAGO - AlexanderKat 11:33 am EST 01/17/22 | |
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| Agreed. I'll happily stick with my memories. For me, it was the London production with Hugh Jackman. That production (particularly in London, not so much on Broadway) had so many quiet or even still moments. It rally gave on the sense of the vastness of the land. | |
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| re: TB REGIONAL REVIEW: "OKLAHOMA!" in CHICAGO | |
| Last Edit: singleticket 10:22 am EST 01/18/22 | |
| Posted by: singleticket 10:17 am EST 01/18/22 | |
| In reply to: re: TB REGIONAL REVIEW: "OKLAHOMA!" in CHICAGO - PlazaBoy 01:41 pm EST 01/17/22 | |
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| I saw the Jackman/Trever Nunn production in nyc and I remember the projections were impressive as well. I didn't like the production much. Comparing it with the Fish production I'd say the Fish production had much more of a thematic and aesthetic integrity to it. I still struggled with the Fish production, I felt like I was in an operating room watching OKLAHOMA getting vivisected. I loved some things like the boots falling from the sky and the bloody ending. Other things irked me, I had seen those flag buntings used as an art gallery trope for the past few years and even though they worked beautifully in the design they felt trendy to me. The black out scene did not land for me and I found it rather precious. Looking back on the Fish production it seems to have captured the American zeitgeist of the Trump era in a way that other theater pieces have not yet been able to. Someone above asked why not pick on Shaw to deconstruct and leave Rodgers & Hammerstein alone, but R&H are our Shaw or at least as central to American theater as any play by a canonical playwright. |
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| re: TB REGIONAL REVIEW: "OKLAHOMA!" in CHICAGO | |
| Last Edit: WaymanWong 03:19 pm EST 01/17/22 | |
| Posted by: WaymanWong 03:14 pm EST 01/17/22 | |
| In reply to: re: TB REGIONAL REVIEW: "OKLAHOMA!" in CHICAGO - PlazaBoy 01:41 pm EST 01/17/22 | |
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| I wasn't a big fan of Daniel Fish's ''Oklahoma!'' either. My favorite version was the radiant 2010-11 revival at Arena Stage in Washington D.C. It featured a wonderfully diverse cast, starring Nicholas Rodriguez (Latino) as Curly and Eleasha Gamble (African-American) as Laurey. Molly Smith directed it. I wish it had moved to Broadway's Circle in the Square, where I bet it would've been showered with Tony nominations. (Rodriguez is now in ''Company,'' and another Rodriguez who was in ''Oklahoma!,'' Vincent Rodriguez III, as Sam, went on to star in the CW's ''Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.'') |
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| Link | 'Oklahoma!' opens at Arena Stage |
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| Arena Stage 2010-11 "OKLAHOMA!" -- Big Spoiler Request -- DON"T READ THIS POST IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE OKLAHOMA! REVIVAL | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 05:26 pm EST 01/17/22 | |
| In reply to: re: TB REGIONAL REVIEW: "OKLAHOMA!" in CHICAGO - WaymanWong 03:14 pm EST 01/17/22 | |
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| That clip is incredible. E. Faye Butler is one of Chicago's stalwart performers. She's a force of nature and has played dozens of great female roles in plays and musicals at all of Chicago's top theaters. I've been privileged to witness all those performances and have had some great conversations with her. I've lost count of how many Jefferson Awards she has accumulated over her career. Valisia LeKae (who played Laurey at some point in the Arena revival) was stunning as Diana Ross in Motown on Broadway and equally fine as Sarah in Ragtime at the Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre (another of my favorite Chicagoland venues). I read about the Arena Stage revival of Oklahoma!, but can't remember the details. Did it use the revised ending in which Curly essentially murders Jud instead of Jud dying accidentally by falling on his knife? |
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| re: Arena Stage 2010-11 "OKLAHOMA!" -- Big Spoiler Request -- DON"T READ THIS POST IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE OKLAHOMA! REVIVAL | |
| Last Edit: WaymanWong 07:28 pm EST 01/17/22 | |
| Posted by: WaymanWong 07:19 pm EST 01/17/22 | |
| In reply to: Arena Stage 2010-11 "OKLAHOMA!" -- Big Spoiler Request -- DON"T READ THIS POST IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE OKLAHOMA! REVIVAL - BroadwayTonyJ 05:26 pm EST 01/17/22 | |
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| Butler was wonderful as Aunt Eller, and in fact, she and Gamble were both nominated for Helen Hayes Awards for their performances. Another Hayes nominee was Cody Williams, who played Will. He's gone on to appear on Broadway in ''Memphis'' and ''On the Town.'' This ''Oklahoma!'' won 4 Helen Hayes Awards, including Best Resident Musical, Choreography and Actor in a Musical (for Nicholas Rodriguez). As for LeKae, she was announced to play Laurey, but 10 days before the opening, she withdrew due to ''pressing personal matters.'' Gamble took over after that. ... In 2013, I saw LeKae in ''Motown the Musical,'' which earned her a Tony nomination and a Theatre World Award. As for the ending, I'm pretty sure it was the traditional one (with Curly falling on his knife). I'd recall if they had vastly changed it. |
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| Link | Behind the scenes of Arena Stage's 'Oklahoma!' (Includes rehearsal footage of LeKae and an interview with Butler) |
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| re: Arena Stage 2010-11 "OKLAHOMA!" -- Big Spoiler Request -- DON"T READ THIS POST IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE OKLAHOMA! REVIVAL | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 11:34 pm EST 01/17/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Arena Stage 2010-11 "OKLAHOMA!" -- Big Spoiler Request -- DON"T READ THIS POST IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE OKLAHOMA! REVIVAL - WaymanWong 07:19 pm EST 01/17/22 | |
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| As for the ending, I'm pretty sure it was the traditional one (with Curly falling on his knife). That would be a radical change indeed. :-) |
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| re: Arena Stage 2010-11 "OKLAHOMA!" -- Big Spoiler Request -- DON"T READ THIS POST IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE OKLAHOMA! REVIVAL | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 08:06 am EST 01/18/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Arena Stage 2010-11 "OKLAHOMA!" -- Big Spoiler Request -- DON"T READ THIS POST IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE OKLAHOMA! REVIVAL - Chromolume 11:34 pm EST 01/17/22 | |
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| That could work with the right casting. I have seen at least two productions of Oklahoma!, in which the actor playing Jud was better looking and more sexually interesting than the actor playing Curly. That could make the waving wheat smell even sweeter when the wind comes right behind the rain. Just sayin'. | |
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| re: Arena Stage 2010-11 "OKLAHOMA!" -- Big Spoiler Request -- DON"T READ THIS POST IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE OKLAHOMA! REVIVAL | |
| Last Edit: WaymanWong 02:47 pm EST 01/18/22 | |
| Posted by: WaymanWong 02:43 pm EST 01/18/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Arena Stage 2010-11 "OKLAHOMA!" -- Big Spoiler Request -- DON"T READ THIS POST IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE OKLAHOMA! REVIVAL - BroadwayTonyJ 08:06 am EST 01/18/22 | |
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| ''As for the ending, I'm pretty sure it was the traditional one (with Curly falling on his knife).'' Oops. I blew it. Obviously, I meant ''Jud falling on his knife.'' For the record, Molly Smith cast two sexy leading men to play Curly and Jud in her ''Oklahoma!'' at Arena Stage, and Rodriguez commented: ''Molly’s incredible. She wanted it to be a viable love triangle. Jud is often portrayed as slovenly and dirty. But she wanted him to be a bad boy and sometimes, women are attracted to them. She wanted Curly to have to work harder to win Laurey. Luckily, Aaron and I get along very well and have each other’s back. If we didn’t, it could be dangerous because of our fight scenes. That’s a lot of testosterone.'' (Laughs.) |
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| re: Arena Stage 2010-11 "OKLAHOMA!" -- Big Spoiler Request -- DON"T READ THIS POST IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE OKLAHOMA! REVIVAL | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 08:44 pm EST 01/17/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Arena Stage 2010-11 "OKLAHOMA!" -- Big Spoiler Request -- DON"T READ THIS POST IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE OKLAHOMA! REVIVAL - WaymanWong 07:19 pm EST 01/17/22 | |
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| Oh, I see. I read the BWW article about LeKae being in the show, but it must have been written before she dropped out. I agree that based on the clip you posted and others that I saw on YouTube, the Arena revival must have been fantastic. Thanks for the information. I definitely liked the diverse casting because, after all, that is how America most likely looked post-Civil War. |
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| Nicholas Rodriguez on 'Oklahoma!' and being ethnic and openly gay | |
| Last Edit: WaymanWong 11:56 pm EST 01/17/22 | |
| Posted by: WaymanWong 11:52 pm EST 01/17/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Arena Stage 2010-11 "OKLAHOMA!" -- Big Spoiler Request -- DON"T READ THIS POST IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE OKLAHOMA! REVIVAL - BroadwayTonyJ 08:44 pm EST 01/17/22 | |
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| In 2011, I interviewed Rodriguez and asked him about the racial diversity in his ''Oklahoma!'' He said: ''My father’s Mexican-American, and my mom’s Cherokee and Welsh. But even though our Laurey and Aunt Eller (E. Faye Keller) are portrayed by African-Americans, we’re not playing race. We’ve all done a lot of historical research; although all these ethnic groups [blacks, Latinos, Asians and Native Americans] existed at that time in Oklahoma, they didn’t co-exist. So our modern take is that they’re all co-mingling, like our country is now. But I’m not playing Curly as a Latino; I’m just Curly.'' And speaking of diversity, Rodriguez also dished about being a Broadway leading man of color who's also openly gay. |
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| Link | NewNowNext: Nicholas Rodriguez Talks Life, Love and 'Oklahoma!' |
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