Review: OKLAHOMA paved the way for all Broadway shows! See it now at Firehouse Theatre!

OKLAHOMA

Music by Richard Rodgers
Book & Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Based on the play “Green Grow the Lilacs” by Lynn Riggs
Directed by Jason Craig West
Music Direction by Molly Robinson & Pam McClain
Produced by The Firehouse Theatre, Farmers Branch 

Audience Rating: PG
Running Time: 2 hours 40 minutes plus 15 minute intermission
Accessible Seating: Available
Hearing Devices: Not Available
Sensory Friendly Performance: Not Available
Production Sound Level: Comfortable Sound Level
Noises or Visuals to Prepare for: gun shots, fog

Reviewed Glynda Welch

Considered the most important collaboration of Rodgers & Hammerstein, OKLAHOMA is also

credited with creating a model for Broadway shows that would be followed for decades.

Integrating song, character, plot and dance became the hallmark of American Musical

Theatre. The original production in March of 1943 was an unprecedented critical and

commercial success. Director Jason Craig West honors that original blueprint while adding a

fresh touch in this production. His vision is supported by a strong team of designers and a

talented cast.

Set in 1906 in Oklahoma farm country, the story revolves around the farm owned by Aunt Eller

(Kim Harris) and her young niece Laurey Williams (Hannah Lovato-Swaim) and the two

men who pursue the innocent, yet feisty girl. Cowboy Curly McLain (Cooper Powell) and

farmhand Jud Fry (Dylan Aaron) are as different as day and night except in their

determination to court Laurey. All four bring strong vocal talents to this production. Powell has

the audience in his hands from Oh, What a Beautiful Morning all the way through the show.

Lovato-Swaim is especially delightful in Many a New Day and People Will Say We’re in Love.

Aaron is mesmerizing in Pore Jud is Daid and Lonely Room. Harris delights in The Farmer

and the Cowman.

Laurey’s best friend Ado Annie (Makenna Ostrom) has lots of fun creating problems for Curly’s best friend Will Parker, (Evan Christopher Arnold) and the traveling peddler Ali Hakim (Preston Isham). Ostrom brings comic exuberance to this role, and to I Cain’t Say No, perhaps the second best known song from the show. Isham’s Ali is as charming as he is smarmy. Emily-Jade Stewart adds her own comic touches to the role of Gertie Cummings with a simple signature sound. 

Alex Rain (Andrew Carnes), Dakota Britvich (Ike Skidmore), Zachary Ressler (Cord Elam), Scott Rice (Fred), and Zane Syjanksy (Slim) bring the vocal back up on Kansas City and It’s a Scandal! It’s an Outrage as well as The Farmer and the Cowman and Oklahoma, and perform some impressive dance moves throughout. Elyse Allen (Virginia), Janie Carr (Aggie), Mikki Hankins Peterson (Ellen), Hailey Hatfield (Vivian), and Lauren Johnson Rivera (Kate) back Laurey up during Many a New Day, but really get their best moments in the dance sequences. The Out of My Dreams Ballet is simply wonderful. Cast bios don’t mention dance training but I am convinced all of these dancers must have extensive training. Kudos to Choreographer Jessica Deskewies for keeping the dances totally integrated into the show and also to Music Directors Molly Robinson and Pam McClain for their contributions.

Costume Designer Maggie Hearn, Scenic Designer & Builder Logan Uhtenwoldt, Scenic Painter Caitlin Martelle, Sound Designer Leo Thomas, and Lighting Designer Owen Beans complete the design crew, with Osinachi Osuagwu serving as Stage Manager.

Oklahoma is one of those shows that everyone needs to see in a live performance. Live theater is a different experience requiring more audience connection than film or television. If you’ve never seen a live performance of Oklahoma, you owe it to yourself to go & enjoy this quality production of Oklahoma. Tickets are available at www.THEFIREHOUSETHEATRE.COM now through July 13th.  Performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, with matinees on Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30 pm. Quick heads up, the first act runs 90 minutes & the intermission line at restrooms is long. Also, take a sweater, the theater is a bit chilly. 

Experience Live Theater!

Glynda Welch