OKLAHOMA!

Not everyone parties on New Year’s Eve, but there are all kinds of celebrations and PLOS certainly celebrates with Oklahoma! Proving once again the standard of excellence that exists in community theatre, Director David Crawshaw successfully brings together a fine cast with a great set by John Burrett, Brenton Staples and John Shelbourne, decorated with terrific choreography by Steven Rostron and embellished by John Clancy and an impressive orchestra.

Part of the delight is in the casting: Curly and Laurey are meant to be young (she in her teens and he early twenties) and Matthew Clayton and Tara Kabalan bring youth, naivete and enthusiasm as well as some fine performing to the roles. Clayton (Curly) is a real find. He has charm, good looks and a terrific lyrical voice, and handles the role with confidence, a delight to watch every time he’s on stage …but his “Poor Jud is Daid” with the very impressive Robert Clark as Jud Fry, is the highlight of the show and the two give Hugh Jackman and Shuler Hensley a run for their money. Clark’s fabulous voice and fine acting sensibilities come to the fore again in “Lonely Room”. Lindy Yeates is the perfect Aunt Eller and the benefits of her vast experience are obvious. Scott Hili’s Ali Hakim was underplayed for the first 10 minutes but then took flight to almost steal the show, with some gorgeous nuanced comic timing. Liam Kilgour’s Will Parker is energetic and appealing and nicely matched by Ashleigh Kreveld’s ditsy Ado Annie. The rest of the cast are equally good and the ensemble shines in the big production numbers. Special mention of ensemble member Benny Burton…. A little energetic pixie of a performer who draws the eye every time he’s on stage. I couldn’t help wishing that he pops up as The Artful Dodger in PLOS’ next production of Oliver!

This delightful production does show up the flaws in the show itself….a top heavy first act, and a short second act with three false endings and not much plot. While the musical numbers are sensational, the dialogue could use some tightening and pace to move the plot along. Oklahoma! is dated, but that’s okay if you approach it with love, and the company has done that. It’s like visiting a much loved elderly relative who is lost in the past. This was the perfect evening’s entertainment to say goodbye to the old year, and even more fitting for a new year to remind we Musical Theatre tragics of the treasures to be found in the suburbs.

Coral Drouyn