Oklahoma!

Runs July 2011 – October 2, 2011

Reviewed by Verna Kerans

My summer vacation included a much-anticipated visit to the newly-renovated Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., where, after a $135-million renovation, Arena completed its first year in the new space.

Under the direction and foresight of Molly Smith, Artistic Director, Arena has established itself as the premier Regional Arts Performing Space.

The brilliant design of Bing Thom, a Vancouver architect, turned Arena into the Mead Center for American Theater, linking the two already-built theatres and adding a third.

While the renovation was taking place, Arena performed in Crystal City and Washington, D.C. I remember Allen Lee Hughes, resident lighting designer at Arena, showing me how the new concept would work. We examined a small mock-up of the future look which joined all the theaters, offices and rehearsal spaces. Another small theater, called the Kogard Cradle, was then built under the same roof. You really have to see this to believe how awe inspiring it truly is with huge supporting columns and beautiful glass windows that overlook the waterfront on Maine Street South West Washington.

Molly Smith, Artistic Director at Arena directed Oklahoma! last season. It proved to be so popular that she decided to bring it back for a run that extends until October 2. During August, tickets are 50% off which is a wonderful opportunity for taking the kids and introducing them to live theatre.

The show is a dynamic reflection of multi-cultural America. Called "Indian Territory" when the state of Oklahoma was originally being settled, this show takes place just after the turn of the century when many different races and nationalities were moving there. White, African-American, Indian, and Asian, just to mention a few, were attracted to this newly-opened land.

With winning songs by Richard Rodgers and Roger Hammerstein, i.e., People Will Say We’re in Love, Surrey With the Fringe on Top and the rousing Oklahoma! being sung by a fabulous cast, what more can be asked of a show? This Oklahoma! is as fresh, but with this casting more relevant, than it was when first written in 1943. The original production was the first show in musical theatre history to further the plot through songs and dance. Never before had a musical integrated music, dance and plot in order to tell a story. 1943 was a definitive time in musical theatre when Oklahoma! opened at the St. James Theatre in New York.

Starring in Oklahoma! at Arena are:  E. Faye Butler as Aunt Eller, Curly by Nicholas Rodriguez, Laurey by Eleasha Gamble, Will Parker by Cody Williams, Ado Annie by June Schreiner, and Ali Hakim by Nehal Joshi. What a cast! The voices are uniformly wonderful. I was really hoping Curly would ride in on a horse while singing Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’. In that I was disappointed, but his knock-dead looks could win over any girl, so it is impossible for Laurey to resist him. June Schriener as Ado Annie is perky, just a little bit devilish and can easily wrap all the boys around her finger... especially sweet Will Parker. Ado Annie’s other suitor is Ali Hakim, who reminds us of the migration to the West of all the enterprising carpetbaggers that popped up after the Civil War. Jud Fry (Aaron Ramey) has a gorgeous voice and for the first time (for me) in this musical he wasn’t as creepy as he is usually depicted. The trapdoor in the floor was used to full advantage and rises up as Jud’s claustrophobic bunkhouse. It’s obvious that all the cast members have great backstories which contribute to making this a winning show.

Everyone in the cast, leads, singers and spirited dancers were in colorful costumes by Martin Paklidinaz. The original choreography was done by Agnes DeMille and, in this revival, choreography by Parker Esse is energetic, romantic and a little bit risqué in the dream sequence. The mood-enhancing lighting was by Michael Gilliam and the functional, clever set included a specially-built house over the seats which accommodates a twelve-piece orchestra under the direction of George Fulginiti-Shakar.

Of all the opportunities in D.C., we highly recommend Oklahoma! which plays at Arena until October 2. Call the box office at 202-488-3300. And remember: you can buy tickets at 50% off until the end of August. The Arena is located at 1101 6th Street SW.

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