I
have been fortunate to take part in this show twice, the first time
taking the cameo role of Gertie Cummings – the girl with the
grating laugh; and both times getting to dress up as one of the
grotesque dancers (Jud's French postcard girls who come to life in
Laurey's dream) enjoying portraying the vastly different characters.
We
had great fun with the variations of barn dance in “Territory
Folks” (otherwise known as The Farmer and The Cowman) incorporating
some acrobatic lifts and cartwheels before the choreographed fight
that ensued until Aunt Eller took charge. This was a really cheerful
contrast to the dream ballet at the end of Act One, which turns into
Laurey's nightmare of being subjected to Jud Fry's attentions.
The
power of the story is contrasted by the comedy from Will Parker and
Ado Annie, and the audience is encouraged to laugh and cry in turn.
Curly and Laurey's wedding is the climax of Act Two, featuring the
outstanding Oklahoma! song, followed by Jud's appearance and
subsequent fight with Curly which results in his death. When Curly is
declared Not Guilty of killing Jud, the whole town unites in a big
send off for Curly and Laurey on their honeymoon. With an appearance
of the Surrey with Fringe on Top as a final triumph, when space and
availability allow. We found that the presence of the surrey meant
the chorus were squashed in very close proximity for the finale, and
the fight for space meant some of us were at least halfway into the
wings. Fortunately our director decided the surrey wasn't required
for the final walkdown, so we got a second shot at singing “Oh What
A beautiful Morning” in clear sight of the MD, much to the relief of both the chorus and the conductor. (Singing in the wings seems to be fraught with danger, being behind the beat, or racing the music, being common problems when you cannot see the beat but only hear it.)
