By Elise White for Front Row Reviewers
The classic musical Oklahoma! comes sweeping through Utah Valley at Orem’s SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre and, holy cow! It’s good! It’s the perfect entertainment for a relaxing summer evening.
Set in Oklahoma territory in 1906, Oklahoma! delves into a story based in the true historical rivalry between cowboys and farmers. It follows a love triangle between a young cowboy named Curly McLain (Jeff Sundwall), a farm girl named Laurie Williams (Hailey Bennett Sundwall), and the hired farmhand Jud Fry (Daniel Cespedes) and Aunt Eller (Charisse Finch) looks on with a knowing eye. The audience is also treated to the shenanigans between Ado Annie Carnes (McCall Brainard), Will Parker (Ty McQuiston) who wants to marry her, and the peddler Ali Hakim (Clayton Troy Guymon) who gets trapped in an engagement by Ado Annie’s father Andrew Carnes (Andy Kelson). Oklahoma! portrays life as it would have been at the time, including basket auctions, square dancing, and questionable rural law. As Rodgers’ and Hammerstein’s first musical, it features epic numbers and musical storytelling through tragedy, comedy, music, and dance.
Upon entering the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre, guests are greeted with an impressive set (designed by set designer and director Chase Ramsey) that is well thought out and considerate of the flow of the show. The tiered wheat fields look almost like each blade of wheat is hand-placed. The large home on the left side of the stage captures the eye and is well complimented by authentic-looking props (Christy Norton) including a butter churn, which is a nice touch. The scenic carpenters (Zippy Hellewell, Courtney Cook, Victoria Larsen, Ethan Harrison, Carson Severts, and Trevor Kroff) did phenomenal workmanship with the home and the smokehouse. The mason jar lighting is a beautiful touch and the light reflective clouds in the painted sky (scenic painters: Faith Sage, Kalicia Moore, Daisy Bailey, Maddie Fontana, Vashti Coray, Olivia Kleven, Brighton Aland, and AnnaBelle McKinnon) is breathtaking throughout and adds to the overall mood with each lighting change.
Director Ramsey’s casting decisions are on point. When Curly sings, “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!”as the first number, he quickly charms the audience with his boyish grin and strong voice. H. Sundwall (J. Sundwall’s wife in real life) has a graceful stage presence and crystal clear vocals as she completely owns Laurie’s character. “People Will Say We’re In Love” is sigh-inducing as the chemistry of the two characters hits during their duet.
Cespedes does a phenomenal job playing the forlorn and impressionable Jud with a voice that is deep and full of emotion in “Pore Jud is Daid” and “Lonely Room.” He effectively gets the message across that prejudice and bullying can create monsters.
Brainard steals the show as Ado Annie in “I Cain’t Say No” with her comedic timing and acting ability. Costume designer Deborah Bowman’s decision to put Ado Annie in pink is a brilliant addition to the already magnificent costumes. McQuiston as Will Parker commands the stage every time he is on it and takes full control of his scenes. Guymon does a spectacular job of being the perfectly shady peddler who digs his own grave, and Emma Johnson’s laugh as Gertie Cummings is flawless.
The standout number of the show is the Dream Sequence where the story is told through dance. Lighting designer Elizabeth Griffiths uses color changes to portray what the characters are feeling. My favorite lighting is when the lights go red showing the fear Laurie is feeling. Sydney Balser is a stand-out talented dancer in the sequence. Janessa Ramsey‘s choreography of the Dream Sequence and the entire show is superb and is the production’s biggest strength.
Oklahoma! is known for its large ensemble numbers and this production does not disappoint. Music director Korianne Orton Johnson has made certain that when the ensemble is singing it is felt and not just heard. The ensemble number “Oklahoma!” toward the end of the show is a prime example of this. The entire shell is booming during that song.
Oklahoma! at the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre is a classic that is relevant today. It provides a social commentary on miscommunication, prejudice, and politics while providing that good old country comfort and optimism. This show is appropriate for all ages.
Note: Patrons can bring blankets to sit on the grass and dinner or snacks (or picnic baskets!), but no coolers.
SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre presents Oklahoma! by composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist-dramatist Oscar Hammerstein II.
SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre, In the middle of SCERA Park 600 South 400 East Orem, UT 84058
July 7 – July 22, 2023 Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday 8:00 PM
Tickets: Gen Admission: $14 Adult, $12 Child/Senior
Reserved B: $18 Adult, $16 Child/Senior
Reserved A: $20 Adult, $18 Child/Senior
Child age 3-11, Senior age 65+
Contact: (801) 225-2787 (ARTS)
Website: https://scera.org/
SCERA SHELL Facebook Page
Oklahoma! Facebook Event
Playbill
Photos by Rachael Gibson.
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