Civic's Staging Of 'Oklahoma' Definitely OK On Opening Night

Civic's staging of 'Oklahoma' definitely OK on opening night

By GERALD BRENNAN

NEWS SPECIAL WRITER

After experiencing a good performance of “Oklahoma!” it’s hard to think a negative thought about anything for hours after. A stupor of gladness enfolds one.

This magic was at Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre in abundance last night, where the Ann Arbor Civic Theatre rolled out a smashing rendition of Rodgers and Hammer-stein’s revolutionary musical. The show continues nightly through Saturday.

Director Conrad Mason forged this fine evening with the help of an excellent cast, simple and effective sets, and good choreographic support by Gregory M. George.

It’s essential that Curley and Laurie, the lead couple, be more than adequate for “Oklahoma!" to work its spell, and there were no worries on this score with Kevin Binkley and Lynn Bishop in the roles.

The pair make a handsome couple with a charm that reaches across the footlights. Not only do they have fine voices, but their voices have the proper character

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for the roles they assumed. They’re good actors, too. The good-natured swagger with which Binkley infuses Curley is just right.

Another casting success is the comic couple of Ado Annie and Will,

Stayed by Sharon Sussman and Jim issen. They each have a strong presence and come across as very funny.

Choreographer George also danced the role of “Dream Curley,” and his liaison with the graceful Roya Panini as “Dream Laurie” made the important “Dream Ballet” (originally choreographed by Agnes de Mille) a complete success.

Other highlights include memorable performances of “Pore Jud is Daid,” “Surrey with the Fringe on Top,” “Many a New Day,” and the spirited finale. There is also a marvelous finesse near the end, a rather large prop that ties everything together in a nice surprise.

Alas, there was a fly in the ointment last night: an unprepared orchestra. The important ingredients of pulse and ensemble were usually impaired. It was very difficult for musical director Ben Cohen to synchronize the sections of the orchestra.

Signs suggested that this was due mostly to the old Not Enough Rehearsal Time syndrome, a most common ailment of the musical theater. A related problem was in the pacing within songs. If a conductor follows a singer, the tempo slows and slackens.

Conductors and church organists know this well, and so they keep the rhythm tight. But many of the songs’ tempos were obviously too fast and inflexible for comfortable and effective execution by these singers, creating more than a few problems.

But what of these quibbles in the face of such soaring spirits and talents? They vanish in the gladness of this show when it’s done well. And it was.

The Ann Arbor civic Theater production of Rogers and Hammerstein's "Oklahoma!" continues at 8 p.m. tonight-Saturday at Lydia Mendelssohn Theater, Michigan League, 911 N. University Ave. Tickets are $12-$16. For details, call 971-AACT.