Cinnabar Theater opens their 52nd season on the road with a production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic Oklahoma! Having vacated the little red schoolhouse on the hill in Petaluma while awaiting construction of their new theatre, Cinnabar is utilizing the Warren Auditorium at Sonoma State University for their 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 brought some significant “reinterpretations” to the show, particularly in the show’s conclusion. The Cinnabar production appears to be using elements of this version.
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 the air is pierced by the voice of cowboy Curly (Nathanael Fleming) singing “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning”. He’s arrived at the farm of Aunt Eller (Jill Wagoner) to court Laurey (Monica Rosa Slater) and ask her to the box social. She’s a little piqued at the time he’s taken to ask so she refuses to take a 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 Hakeem (Christian Arteaga).
All hell breaks loose at the box social when Curly’s intentions with Laurey become clear to the obsessed Jud. Laurey fires him and he sulks off, only to return three weeks later at the wedding of Curly and Laurey. Tragedy ensues.
Ah, but not quite the tragedy you might expect if you’re a fan of the original Oklahoma!
Spoiler alert!
In the original version, Jud dies after falling on his knife during a fight with Curly. In the “reimaging”, 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, and one that apparently confused the opening night audience, who weren’t even sure the show was actually 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’s to come. Director Hasbany, who acquits himself quite well as the villainous (or misunderstood depending on your interpretation) Jud, 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” clearly 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 September 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
Photos by Victoria Von Thal
This review originally appeared in an edited version in the North Bay Bohemian.
North Bay Stage and Screen 
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