|
|
A few years ago London's National Theatre gave new life to Rodgers & Hammerstein's CAROUSEL. That production was a critical and public success, so it was natural that another American classic by the same authors would follow.
|
|
|
HUGH JACKMAN JOSEFINA GABRIELLE MAUREEN LIPMAN VICKI SIMON JIMMY JOHNSTON SHULER HENSLEY |
|
|
When it opened in 1943, OKLAHOMA! changed forever the face of the Broadway musical. Now, more than 50 years later, we have an entire new production. Gone is the classic choreography by Agnes de Mille, gone is the naivety of the original, and gone are the dated sets. Once again the National Theatre did a wonderful job. As directed by Trevor Nunn this became a musical comedy with dark shades. The characters are more real (in the movie adaptation they were too nice) and the show has a modern look. The simple and imaginative sets work perfectly and are beautiful to watch, and the classic score never sounded better. |
|
|
|
A Talented Cast The cast couldn't be stronger, with all the members singing, dancing and acting (something that didn't happen in the original or even in the movie). The handsome Hugh Jackman is a perfect manly Curly, Josefina Gabrielle is a flawless Laurey, Jimmy Johnston and Vicki Simon played the innocently funny Will and Ado Annie, Shuler Hensley plays a scary Jud, Maureen Lipman is a convincing Aunt Eller and Peter Polycarpou a crazy Ali Hakim. The One and Only Stroman Once again Susan Stroman did a great job. The dance numbers are exciting and the new orchestrations by William David Brohn are a perfect match for Stroman's steps. |
|
|
Music by Richard Rodgers Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II Choreography by Susan Stroman Directed by Trevor Nunn Rated by Jorge: ++++
|
|
|
Maybe one day all revivals will be like this, until then let's enjoy this new OKLAHOMA!
|
|
|
|
|
