An old fashioned Sears & Roebuck Catalog style curtain sets the 1906 era for this historic show, which opened in 1944 on Broadway. The set featured an ever changing, mood-creating sky backdrop featuring media designed by Kasey Horan and Bingkun Han under the mentorship of Alison Dobbins.
As director Brad Wilcuts says in his Note, “Audiences can enjoy the nostalgic elements of an America past through the lens of an America today.” The farmer versus cowman social divide is a backdrop for the love triangles as the Oklahoma territory stands poised for statehood. Choreographer Alisa Hauser displays great work throughout, especially dramatic in the “Dream Ballet” sequence.
The 23-member cast is a well oiled team, full of energy and enthusiasm. Chase Cain is particularly good as Curly, with just the right balance of boyish charm and masculine power, plus a great voice. Isa Rodriguez is his stubborn but sweet love, Laurey, torn between Curly and the troubled Jud Fry, played with ominous power by Ryan Adolph. The humorously hobbled love match of Will (Kevin Mazur) and that somehow innocent-seeming “Cain't Say No” hussy, Ado Annie (Anna Birmingham) —complicated by the hapless and conniving Ali Hakim (Kevin Craig — brings many laughs. All is overseen by the tough but benevolent Aunt Eller (Sharon Combs) with help from Zaria Aikens, gender-bending the traditional male role of Andrew (now Andie) Carnes.
If you know and love this “golden age” musical — or especially if you’ve never seen it — rush down to Fairchild Theatre for a beautiful reproduction of this gem. (Corner of Farm Lane and Auditorium Road at MSU - park in the Auditorium Road lot and enter in the back (east) entrance of the Auditorium Building for Fairchild Theatre.
http://theatre.msu.edu/productions/past-seasons/20182019season/oklahoma/