Goodspeed, East Haddam, CT
through September 23, 2017
by Mary Fernandez-Sierra
With stunning vocals, dance, acting, sound, costumes,
scenery and an incredible orchestra, Goodspeed musical Oklahoma! is a triumph.
Director Jenn Thompson creates a refreshing interpretation
of the great-grand-daddy of all musicals, re-visioning the songs and scenes so
many of us know by heart. This show arrives like the proverbial beautiful
morning onstage, dazzling, delightful, and truly reborn.
Every aspect of this production merits superlatives, but
most outstanding is the sheer joy and exuberance of all the performers. Each
one brings something unique and fresh to their role, bringing new zest to the
experience of watching this well-known story unfold.
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| Photo by Diane Sobolewski |
Samantha Bruce as Laurey is a perfect example; there is a
more than a touch of tomboy in her performance, adding a bold, bright edge to
her ingénue. Matt Faucher gives a sultry, sensuous quality to his Jud Fry,
which, combined with his powerhouse voice, makes the character very much alive.
As the ever-grasping Ali Hakim, Matthew Curiano “oozes charm from every pore,”
making his peddler most lovably sleazy.
More amazing originality: the choreography created by Katie
Spelman brings the wild west to life in many of the numbers, while her dream
ballet is an exotic, almost nightmarish vision danced beautifully throughout.
(One audience member was heard to murmur: “I don’t want it to end.”)
The orchestra, led by Music Director Michael O’Flaherty, flows
and supports the singers flawlessly. The touches here, including a banjo, make
it easy to fall in love with this score all over again. Kudos to this gentleman
also for inspiring the incredible singers; these vocals must be heard to be
believed.
Lovely and authentic period costumes by Tracy Christensen
move with ease and grace in the dance sequences. Scenery by Wilson Chin is a
feast for the eyes, with a gorgeous sky cyclorama (beautifully lit by designer
Philip Rosenberg) and clever cornrows and barn-touches everywhere. Sound
Designer Jay Hilton adds his brilliance in how lovely all the voices sound,
cricket song at just the right moments, and even a dog barking offstage at one
point!
Of special note, too: it is wonderful to watch an ensemble
that creates their own background characters, adding to the richness of the
scenes in which they appear. Everywhere in Goodspeed production of Oklahoma!,
love and skill create the masterpiece anew.
