A Beautiful, Faithful “Oklahoma!” at The Wick
By Skip Sheffield
Oh, “Oklahoma!” is one of the greatest American musicals of
the 20th century. You can see an exemplary production of the Rodgers
& Hammerstein classic through April 26 at the Wick Theatre, 7901 N. Federal
Highway, Boca Raton.
“Oklahoma” was the first collaboration between composer
Richard Rodgers and librettist Oscar Hammerstein. It also was the first
Broadway musical choreographed by Agnes de Mille when it debuted in 1943. Not
only was the show a critical and popular success; it received a special
Pulitzer Prize and changed the face of American musical theater.
Director-choreographer Norb Joerder has remained faithful to
the original script while working within the limitations of the Wick Theatre.
These limitations include pre-recorded music, directed by Michael Ursua. For a
score so memorable, it is scarcely noticeable.
Jan Parmenter and Lindsey Bliven both make their Wick debuts
in the lead roles of cowhand Curly and his lady love and landlady, Laurey. The
setting is Oklahoma Territory 1906, and the main event is a box social, in
which picnic baskets prepared by the ladies going to the highest-bidding man,
who also gains the pleasure of the woman’s company.
Curly and Laurie are made for each other, but loathe to
admit it. Curly is a bit too cocky and prideful. Laurie doesn’t want to be seen
as a pushover.
There is a complication in the form of ranch hand Jud Fry
(Shane Tanner), a moody, troubled man who lives alone in a bunkhouse decorated
with racy pictures of women of easy virtue.
Parmenter is very handsome and Lindsey Bliven quite lovely,
and they both have requisitely pleasing voices. However it is Shane Tanner who
has the most powerful voice among the males, which gives his dangerous Fry added
power.
Missy McArdle grounds the whole production as loving,
wise-cracking Aunt Eller. Necessary comic relief is provided by James Young as
the lecherous, crafty Persian peddler Ali Hakim and Leah Sessa as Ado Annie,
the “girl who can’t say no” to Ali’s dubious charms.
Annie’s rightful match is Will Parker (Alex Joth), who
simply adores her, but it will take time for Annie to appreciate what she has.
Of special note are Lindsay Bell (who is also Dance Captain)
and Tommy Joscelyn, performing the dream ballet sequence created by Agnes de
Mille to show the idealized Laurie and Curly. The couple is simply, exquisitely
beautiful.
There is a lot of beauty, plenty of laughter, unforgettable
songs and some serious moments in this “Oklahoma!” It is a great night of
theater.
Tickets are $58-$62. Call 561-995-2333 or go to
www.thewick.org.
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