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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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