Photo: Emily Cooper

Sayer Roberts as Curly and Quinn Cartwright as Laurey. Photo: Emily Cooper

 

 

 Sayer Roberts as Curly.Photo: Emily CooperRoyal City Musical Theatre
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!

Dates and Venue 11 – 27 April 2013, Wed – Sun 8pm (2pm matinees on Sat & Sun) | Massey Theatre, New Westminster

Reviewer Karen Fitzgibbon

Opening night's successful performance of Oklahoma! had powerful lead singers-- Sayer Roberts as Curly and Quinn Cartwright as Laurey. Roberts will go far in the performing arts with his amazing vocal range and power in every note he sings.

The musical is a love story about country courting. Curly tries to court Laurey but she pretends not to be interested when she actually is. Friends and family all get involved and of course there must be rivalry to win a heart. The part of Jud Fry is well played by Mark Turpin. He’s the bad guy who sings a solo in his lonely room and later fights with Curly over Laurey’s affection. The voices of the entire cast are well chosen. They attain strong resonating notes throughout the entire musical. Sandra Head does a fine performance of Aunt Eller, a kind, fun and loveable character.

It was a packed house of mostly baby boomers on opening night. The sound and acoustics in the Massey Theatre are the best that I have encountered in the several years I’ve been a reviewer. The voices resonated, the music crystal clear, and the volume was perfect. My hat goes off to all of those involved with the stage, sound and musical direction.Furthermore, there is something magical about the traditional red curtains and the amazing ambience in the Massey Theatre.

It's great to have a performance that actually starts right on time. This musical is fast moving with beautiful stage design and colorful, fun country costumes. Every performer seemed to be in absolute heaven on that stage and performing at their very best. . Excellent choreography: the dancers were real country.

When an evening flies by as fast, it's a sign of top professional entertainment. The audience wanted more. Heads were nodding to the tune and lyrics O-O-O-klahoma “When the wind comes right behind the rain”.... Yup! There’s nothing like getting away from the computer and TV and enjoying an evening with some talented country folk.

Oklahoma! is based on the 1931 play Green Grow The Lilacs. It's a timeless musical, incredibly catchy with its music, dance, humour and a great story. You will be singing the many great songs from it for days after you’ve seen it. Make sure you don’t miss it!

To Director and Choreographer Valerie Easton; Musical Director James Bryson, Producer Chad Matchettle and the entire cast – Bravo!

© 2013 Karen Fitzgibbon