Miles2Go2 said: "I saw this twice on Broadway. I had seen a local production here in Oklahoma many years ago. I’m honestly pretty sure I’ve never seen the original movie. So when I saw the revival the first time, I had only a very vague memory of the plot.
The first time seeing the revival at Circle In The Square, I was extremely sleep-deprived & it was my second show on a two-show day. I ended up sorta liking it, but it didn’t really connect with me.
I saw it again a few months later and well-rested (Lol). And even though there was no truly bad seat at CITC, I had a closer, better seat. It was almost like seeing a different show. It was tied as my favorite experience of that trip. I absolutely loved it. I think being more familiar with the directorial changes from my previous visit plus & not being tired made all the difference. I was truly able to appreciate this much different take on what many consider an American classic. That’s what I ended up really appreciating about it, that it doesn’t sentimentalize the material and our country’s past.
I do wonder how this more traditional staging will connect with audiences in bigger venues. Will it retain its intimacy?
Also, I’m curious how this imagining of the material will connect with audiences across the country who likely revere the original. It’s part of our season in Oklahoma City in January and I’m really curious about how it’ll connect with audiences here, especially. Personally, it’s my most anticipated show of Oklahoma City’s touring season.
Regarding someone who hasn’t had previous exposure to the material, I’d probably recommend just listening to the OBCR of the revival before seeing the touring production. I still haven’t gone back to watch the original movie, but during the pandemic I did watch the filmed stage version with Hugh Jackman . Even if one hasn’t seen Oklahoma before seeing the revival, I think you’d be okay. It’s part of pop culture so we’re probably more aware of it than we think we are. And in addition to that and reading reviews & the comments on the boards, I also felt I could also sense when scenes were being presented in a much darker, realistic, artsy way (I know that may seem contradictory, but hopefully for those that have seen it, they understand what I mean) compared to previous productions."
I wish I could say people revere Oklahoma! (I do), but I doubt many people do. I think for many, this crucial, beautiful work is just so much dated, old-fashioned nonsense. I don't think however they respond to this tour will have anything to do with responding to a daring take on the material, if they even know the material very well.
However, as one who truly does revere this, I have to say every clip I saw on YouTube just knocked me out, it was so good. I generally hate these sort of "reinvented" stagings, but it just works. The cast was amazing, so there's that, as well. I have the cast recording. I hope the tour goes well.
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