Cinnabar Theater opens its 52nd season on the road with a production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, Oklahoma!
While awaiting the construction of its new theater, Cinnabar is utilizing the Warren Auditorium at Sonoma State University for its mainstage performances. It runs there through Sept. 29.
The original 1943 production was a milestone in the evolution of the Broadway musical, earning a special Pulitzer Prize and multiple revivals over the decades. The 2019 revival, however, brought some significant “reinterpretations” to the show.
The show opens with an overture performed by a four-piece band featuring piano by musical director Brett Strader, bass (Michael Price), flute (David Latulippe), violin (Caleb Forschen) and drums (Ken Bergman). Soon, cowboy Curly (Nathanael Fleming) is singing “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning.”
Curly arrives at Aunt Eller’s (Jill Wagoner) farm to court Laurey (Monica Rosa Slater) and asks her to attend the box social. She’s a little piqued at the time, so she refuses to ride with him in “The Surrey with the Fringe on Top” and accepts an invitation from farmhand Jud (director Zachary Hasbany).
Also interested in attending the box social is cowboy Will Parker (Noah Evans). He’s back from the big city with $50 cash, which is the amount the father of Ado Annie (Quinnie Farley) says is required to gain her hand in marriage. The problem is, she’s just a girl who “Cain’t Say No,” especially to traveling peddler Ali Hakim (Christian Arteaga).
All hell breaks loose at the box social when Curly’s intentions with Laurey become apparent to the obsessed Jud. Laurey fires him, and he sulks off, only to return three weeks later to Curly and Laurey’s wedding. Tragedy ensues.
Spoiler alert!
In the original version, Jud dies after falling on his knife during a fight with Curly. In the “reimagining,” Curly clearly kills Jud, lunging after him more than once after he gains possession of the knife. At a hurriedly convened court session, he’s found “not guilty,” and the newlyweds are off on their honeymoon.
It’s a decidedly darker ending that confused the opening night audience, who weren’t even sure the show was over. You end a happy, peppy musical with a guy getting away with murder? And it all happens mighty fast.
Everything up to that point was bright and bouncy, with just a hint or two of what was to come. Director Hasbany has an excellent cast with top-notch voices, led by Fleming and Slater. Evans, Farley and Arteaga provide the comedy relief, with Evans’ put-upon “Will,” an audience favorite.
Choreographer Bridget Codoni gets the most out of the cast and smartly utilizes trained ballet dancers (Hannah Woolfenden, Nicole Wilson, Jennifer Doll) for the show’s “dream” sequence.
Cinnabar’s 52nd season is off to a solid start with their not-quite-your-grammy’s Oklahoma!
Cinnabar Theater presents ‘Oklahoma!’ through Sept. 29 at Warren Auditorium in Ives Hall at Sonoma State University, 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. Fri–Sat, 7:30pm; Sun, 2pm. $20–$60 inclusive of parking fee. 707.763.8920. cinnabartheater.org.
