Theater brings legendary musical 'Oklahoma' to its stage
By Joanne Fox Journal staff writer | Posted: Friday, March 28, 2008
Melissa Stotz and Greg Gregerson rehearse a scene from "Oklahoma," the next musical at the Sioux City Community Theatre. (Staff photo by Jerry Mennenga)
Dave Washburn is the guy "Who Cain't Say No."
Originally, Washburn had been slotted to direct "Oklahoma" for the Sioux City Community Theater in 2005. When those rights were not granted due to a traveling production of the show, the Sergeant Bluff native looked elsewhere for a replacement and took on "Beauty and the Beast."
Fast forward a couple of years and patrons wanted to bring "Oklahoma" back in a vote over which musical should be presented for the 2007-08 season, Washburn said.
"I think the appeal of the show is that it's a mainstream, family musical," he observed. "It's just one of those very entertaining productions that everyone seems to enjoy."
The setting is the Indian territory now known as the state of Oklahoma; the time is soon after the beginning of the 20th century. Curly (Greg Gregerson) tries to court a somewhat disinterested Laurey (Melissa Stotz), as does farmhand Jud Fry (Ken Niehus). At the same time Will Parker (Mark Cord) has set his hat for Ado Annie (Kayla Lamoureux), who happens to be intrigued with fast-taking salesman Ali Hakim (Benji Cotter). Farmers and cowhands spend the bulk of the show trying to deal with a mutual rivalry.
The musical is based on the play, "Green Grow the Lilacs," which Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II took and adapted into a musical, Washburn said.
"It's a love story, but it has shades of a western," he pointed out. "So there's colorful characters, like cowboys and farmers, and gunfights as well."
When it was first presented, "Oklahoma" broke ground by combining realism and tragedy. Prior to its premier, most musicals had little to no plot and just involved stars who would break into songs that might have nothing to do with the show, Washburn said.
"'Oklahoma was the first of the modern Broadway musical to use music to tell a story," he said. "Most musicals were just very light fare with very little dialogue and substance."
"Oklahoma" is considered to be the first musical comedy to have a plot, musical score and dances, including the addition of a "dream ballet" that was choreographed by the legendary Agnes De Mille. Those were necessary ingredients to advance the story line, Washburn said.
"The dream ballet sequence was completely unheard of before 'Oklahoma,'" he said.
"In fact the show truly changed the face of musicals," Washburn added. "What you see in musicals today, how song and dance are used, is due to 'Oklahoma.'"
"Oklahoma" was also the first musical to have its entire score recorded, thus creating the original cast album. Songs such as "People Will Say We're In Love," "Surrey with the Fringe on Top," and the title track just add to the show's popularity, Washburn said, including Hugh Jackman's role as Curly in the Royal National Theatre's production in 1998. Jackman also appeared in a 1999 film version of the stage musical, which has been broadcast on PBS.
"There's been a reinvigorated interest in the show, since Hugh Jackman did it," he said. "It's introduced a whole new generation of people to the show."
Washburn is no stranger to show. He first appeared in it at the age of 10 in Sergeant Bluff with his dad, Dan Washburn who played Jud Fry.
"I think that show developed my love for the theater," he speculated. "My dad is helping me in this show and although it may sound corny, I really enjoy the opportunity to do theater with my family."
"Oklahoma" ran on Broadway for five years and nine months (2,248 performances), breaking all of the then existing records both for length of run and for box-office receipts. A national company toured the United States for 10 years, performing in about 250 cities before an audience exceeding 10 million.
When the New York engagement ended, the original company went on a tour of 71 cities. Companies were formed to produce the play in Europe, South Africa, Scandinavia, Australia and for the armed forces in all the theatres of war during the last years of World War II. In London its run proved the longest in the 300-year history of the Drury Lane Theatre.
"Its appeal can't be denied," Washburn said. "We think it's a nice coincidence that the week we open is the 65th anniversary 'Oklahoma' opened on Broadway and it's part of our 60th anniversary at the theater."
"Oklahoma" opens Friday with continuing dates through April 13 at the Sioux City Community Theatre, 1401 Riverside Blvd. Show are 7:30 p.m. with 2 p.m. matinees on Sunday. Tickets are $19 for adults and $18 for seniors and students and are available at the door or at the theatre's Web site, www.scctheater.org or by calling the box office between 1 and 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday at 233-2788.
Originally, Washburn had been slotted to direct "Oklahoma" for the Sioux City Community Theater in 2005. When those rights were not granted due to a traveling production of the show, the Sergeant Bluff native looked elsewhere for a replacement and took on "Beauty and the Beast."
Fast forward a couple of years and patrons wanted to bring "Oklahoma" back in a vote over which musical should be presented for the 2007-08 season, Washburn said.
"I think the appeal of the show is that it's a mainstream, family musical," he observed. "It's just one of those very entertaining productions that everyone seems to enjoy."
The setting is the Indian territory now known as the state of Oklahoma; the time is soon after the beginning of the 20th century. Curly (Greg Gregerson) tries to court a somewhat disinterested Laurey (Melissa Stotz), as does farmhand Jud Fry (Ken Niehus). At the same time Will Parker (Mark Cord) has set his hat for Ado Annie (Kayla Lamoureux), who happens to be intrigued with fast-taking salesman Ali Hakim (Benji Cotter). Farmers and cowhands spend the bulk of the show trying to deal with a mutual rivalry.
The musical is based on the play, "Green Grow the Lilacs," which Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II took and adapted into a musical, Washburn said.
"It's a love story, but it has shades of a western," he pointed out. "So there's colorful characters, like cowboys and farmers, and gunfights as well."
When it was first presented, "Oklahoma" broke ground by combining realism and tragedy. Prior to its premier, most musicals had little to no plot and just involved stars who would break into songs that might have nothing to do with the show, Washburn said.
"'Oklahoma was the first of the modern Broadway musical to use music to tell a story," he said. "Most musicals were just very light fare with very little dialogue and substance."
"Oklahoma" is considered to be the first musical comedy to have a plot, musical score and dances, including the addition of a "dream ballet" that was choreographed by the legendary Agnes De Mille. Those were necessary ingredients to advance the story line, Washburn said.
"The dream ballet sequence was completely unheard of before 'Oklahoma,'" he said.
"In fact the show truly changed the face of musicals," Washburn added. "What you see in musicals today, how song and dance are used, is due to 'Oklahoma.'"
"Oklahoma" was also the first musical to have its entire score recorded, thus creating the original cast album. Songs such as "People Will Say We're In Love," "Surrey with the Fringe on Top," and the title track just add to the show's popularity, Washburn said, including Hugh Jackman's role as Curly in the Royal National Theatre's production in 1998. Jackman also appeared in a 1999 film version of the stage musical, which has been broadcast on PBS.
"There's been a reinvigorated interest in the show, since Hugh Jackman did it," he said. "It's introduced a whole new generation of people to the show."
Washburn is no stranger to show. He first appeared in it at the age of 10 in Sergeant Bluff with his dad, Dan Washburn who played Jud Fry.
"I think that show developed my love for the theater," he speculated. "My dad is helping me in this show and although it may sound corny, I really enjoy the opportunity to do theater with my family."
"Oklahoma" ran on Broadway for five years and nine months (2,248 performances), breaking all of the then existing records both for length of run and for box-office receipts. A national company toured the United States for 10 years, performing in about 250 cities before an audience exceeding 10 million.
When the New York engagement ended, the original company went on a tour of 71 cities. Companies were formed to produce the play in Europe, South Africa, Scandinavia, Australia and for the armed forces in all the theatres of war during the last years of World War II. In London its run proved the longest in the 300-year history of the Drury Lane Theatre.
"Its appeal can't be denied," Washburn said. "We think it's a nice coincidence that the week we open is the 65th anniversary 'Oklahoma' opened on Broadway and it's part of our 60th anniversary at the theater."
"Oklahoma" opens Friday with continuing dates through April 13 at the Sioux City Community Theatre, 1401 Riverside Blvd. Show are 7:30 p.m. with 2 p.m. matinees on Sunday. Tickets are $19 for adults and $18 for seniors and students and are available at the door or at the theatre's Web site, www.scctheater.org or by calling the box office between 1 and 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday at 233-2788.
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