Rogers and Hammerstein are American Treasures and 'Oklahoma' is an American Classic and was meant to pay homage to the early Settlers of the state of Oklahoma and a Love Triangle.
This production at Seattle's 5th avenue Theater, had the Elaborate set and the dancers (The Fab Team from Spectrum Dance Group) and I am all for a Mixed cast in some shows. But like My RE-view of 'Billy Elliot', a Mixed cast is not appropriate in this case.
Was this susposed to be about inclusion or a statement of Racism?
Kyle Scatliffe, an imposing black actor and fine singer, as the villainous misfit Jud Fry was portrayed as a stereotypical Dominant Black Man as He forced himself on Poor Laurey (Alexandra Zorn).
Curley (Eric Ankrim) veiled threats of Jud Hanging himself and other death threats were disturbing.
In 1906, Oklahoma it would be illegal for Black and Whites to dance together.
Donald Byrd's choreography pays fond tribute to the Agnes de Mille folkloric toe-tappers, and ballet, from the original 1943 production, but Byrd also adds vital, clever steps. The story eventually lost me but could have been much more.
This Version of the Classic comes off as more like Hammerstein's 'Showboat' Racial statement then the Roger and Hammerstein's American Classic.
'Oklahoma' continues thru March 4th at the 5th Avenue Theater.
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