From the first time as a kid I saw a summer stock production of Oklahoma I've been captivated by the inaugural Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. From the 1955 movie to high school productions to professional road shows I can't get enough of this musical.
I was born after the Theatre Guild Broadway production but I suspect this version of the Oklahoma territory is a little rougher than what was depicted in 1943 and definitely rougher than the 1955 movie. Josefina Gabrielle in her denim overalls looks tough enough to kick Shirley Jones or Gordon MacRae into the next county if they cross her. And you don't get any of the lush Arizona foliage we remember from the 1955 movie.
Fortunately Trevor Nunn did not try to update the production and make it his own. I keep thinking of the 2005 Brian Large production of La traviata with the giant clock on a sterile stage and the actors doing their best to imitate robots. When two great singers like Netrebko and Villazon can't distract you from the staging I think the director has failed.
Being a Royal National Theatre production the British tinge is felt in the performers. Jackman is good but Gabrielle and especially Shuler Hensley as Jud are outstanding. Easily the best improvements from the 1955 movie are Jimmy Johnston and Vicki Simon as Will and Ado Annie respectively.
My only complaint with the DVD is the sound of the barn raising number seemed muffled. Maureen Lipman and Sidney Livingstone sounded like the soundman didn't like them. And I could have done away with the shots of the crowd. The performances were plenty good enough for us to know when to clap.
I doubt anyone sang and danced like this in the Oklahoma Territory but darn it they should have. Thank you Trevor Nunn for respecting this American original and making this a worthy production.
I was born after the Theatre Guild Broadway production but I suspect this version of the Oklahoma territory is a little rougher than what was depicted in 1943 and definitely rougher than the 1955 movie. Josefina Gabrielle in her denim overalls looks tough enough to kick Shirley Jones or Gordon MacRae into the next county if they cross her. And you don't get any of the lush Arizona foliage we remember from the 1955 movie.
Fortunately Trevor Nunn did not try to update the production and make it his own. I keep thinking of the 2005 Brian Large production of La traviata with the giant clock on a sterile stage and the actors doing their best to imitate robots. When two great singers like Netrebko and Villazon can't distract you from the staging I think the director has failed.
Being a Royal National Theatre production the British tinge is felt in the performers. Jackman is good but Gabrielle and especially Shuler Hensley as Jud are outstanding. Easily the best improvements from the 1955 movie are Jimmy Johnston and Vicki Simon as Will and Ado Annie respectively.
My only complaint with the DVD is the sound of the barn raising number seemed muffled. Maureen Lipman and Sidney Livingstone sounded like the soundman didn't like them. And I could have done away with the shots of the crowd. The performances were plenty good enough for us to know when to clap.
I doubt anyone sang and danced like this in the Oklahoma Territory but darn it they should have. Thank you Trevor Nunn for respecting this American original and making this a worthy production.
