by dick kerekes dickkerekes@yahoo.com
photo by Bobb Robinson
* this article is exclusive to eujacksonville.com
Jacksonville University College of Fine Arts opened the musical Oklahoma on Friday the 4th of April with performances through Saturday April 12th.
It is a fantastic production, and certainly worth a trip to the JU campus and Swisher Theatre on North University Blvd.
A few weeks ago, the JU drama department did Grapes of Wrath which was very entertaining, but more importantly was a history lesson to the students and audience about a very dark period of time in our country. The selection of Rogers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma is also a lesson and introduces students to what is on everyone’s list as one of the greatest American Musicals. Opening on Broadway in l943, it was a show of many firsts and a turning point in musical theatre traditions. It is said by many to be the first musical that told a serious story because a man was killed on stage. It was the first time that ballet had been introduced to a Broadway show. Oklahoma was first-class entertainment with great-timeless songs.
Everyone knows the plot. A cowboy and a country girl fall in love but she is tormented by another unwelcome suitor. Toss in a love sick girl who can’t say no to any guy, a traveling salesman, a naïve rodeo rider, and other assorted characters and you have two hours of absolute fun.
What I have always liked about this show, it that does not waste any time getting in to the great songs and lots of them. From the opening curtain, we hear “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning”, followed in quick order by “The Surrey With the Fringe on Top”, “Kansas City” and “I can’t Say No.” JU”s production also included a couple of songs that usually are left out by some productions. “It’s a Scandal! It’s an Outrage” and “Lonely Room” were not big hits but interesting none the less.
The show was directed by Lynn McNutt, who just joined the faculty as an artist in residence. She spent the last fifteen years as an actress, singer and director in the North East and Midwest but has only recently returned to her hometown Jacksonville. Ms.McNutt made an excellent debut as a director. She has added several pieces of stage business that I have never seen before in my numerous viewings of Oklahoma. Welcome home, Lynn, I hope you will do more shows in North Florida.
Musical Director Robert W. Tudor also has an impressive resume, not only as a director but as singer, in operas musical theatre and concerts. The thirteen member orchestra, tucked away in the pit under the stage performed to perfection, under Tudor’s direction.
Part of the Oklahoma fame, is a result of Agnes De Mile’s choreography in the original. Brian Palmer, who teaches dance at JU, has certainly lived with to the show’s reputation for dance with his choreography. I especially liked the dancing cowboys in ‘Kansas City”. His “Dream Ballet” at the end of act one, is the best I have seen. Often it is done so abstractly, a novice to the show can’t figure out what is happening, but not so with JU’s version.
I have some good news about the cast of 24. According to the program biographies, all of the actors will be back for one or two more years. The very talented Renee N. LaCroix who I have enjoyed in several roles the past four years, is graduating, but she is going out in style as Virginia one of the lovely towns people.
This show is so good because of some stellar acting and singing by the now-familiar characters. Jud, the creepy farmhand who has designs on the leading lady Laurey, is played by Lukas Cyr, who sings with a well trained and powerful voice. Vincent Teschel is excellent as cowboy Will Parker who dances up a storm in “Kansas City”. He matches up well with Nina Waters who plays Ado Annie (the girl who “can’t say no”). Fidele Ishimwe gets a lot of laughs as Persian peddler Aki Hakim, as does Lauren Shaw playing the imbecilic Gertie Cummings. Joshua Gilyard is terrific as the old man Arthur Carnes. This is probably the best I have ever seen this role done. It is certainly the funniest. I can’t forget the other “older” character, Aunt Eller played by Leah Simpson who is the catalyst of the whole show and keeps the acting moving.
Junior Kylie Farrell plays the romantic female lead, Laurey and is effervescent in this role. Tall, blond and beautiful, she is the kind of girl you want to bring home to mom and dad. She has a well trained voice and wonderful stage presence. Ms. Farrell also wrote the very impressive program notes about the musical and the state of Oklahoma.
Greg Bosworth is a sophomore in his first year at JU. Mr. Bosworth sings and plays the male lead Curly, as good as I have heard it done anywhere. He could be doing this role on Broadway with his remarkable vocal range and control. The program notes on him are brief, and I don’t know what he has done or who taught him to sing, but can HE SING! WOW!
This is very much an ensemble effort, the cast was very energetic and looked like they were enjoying every minute. We certainly were as an audience. Rounding out this talent cast was: Kristi Freeman, Meggie Wittman, Tracy Davis, Maggie Dodd, Tara Yates-Reeves, Crystal Blanche, Tony Williams II, Ross Fontz, Andrew Cecil, Robert Mouro Jr., Gregory George, Craig Balfour, Jared Koceja and Cole Smith.
Kudos to Ben Wilson for excellent sets and lighting design, Allison Steadman for the creative costumes, and Robbie Nelson,Sound Designer,for the great job of mixing the sound from the on stage mikes.
I am giving standing applause to Jacksonville University for ticket prices that are extremely reasonable. Five dollars for seniors makes this production accessible for just about everyone. Of course, if I had that kind of talent in my theatre program and a theatre as beautiful as Swisher Theatre, I too would want the whole world to know about it. Thanks to the over l00 or so people involved in putting on this production, you have created a most memorable evening at the theatre.
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