Oklahoma!
at St. Andrew's Episcopal School

Reviewed on February 22, 2014

Noah Habenstreit
Albert Einstein High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Montgomery

St. Andrew's Episcopal School's production of one of the most iconic musicals of all time began with the sound of a fiddle, played by none other than the show's crooning romantic lead, Curly (Billy Weber). The first notes from Weber's instrument, followed by his rich vocal rendition of "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'", set the tone for the production of Oklahoma!: it was indeed a showcase of the cast's diverse talents.

Oklahoma! is cited by many as the beginning of the Golden Age of Broadway theatre. Opening in 1943, the show was groundbreaking, mainly because it introduced the public to the idea that a musical's score could be a vital facet of character and plot development. Rodgers and Hammerstein's first masterwork enjoyed great success on the Broadway stage, and its score, coupled with Agnes de Mille's innovative choreography, shaped the future of musical theatre.

St. Andrew's' endearing lead players (Weber and Amelia Heesen) anchored the school's interpretation of the show. Weber was the most charismatic actor on the stage at all times; his voice, whether he was singing or speaking, exuded confidence as he superbly played out the motivations of his character. Heesen hit her stride in the second act, giving a solid rendition of "People Will Say We're In Love (Reprise)" and showing considerable chemistry with Weber. The two were clearly comfortable with one another, which made their scenes together natural and enjoyable.

While Weber and Heesen were overall the stronger performers in the cast, several of the supporting actors showed substantial talent as well. As the lovable old Aunt Eller, Jordan Reilly nicely portrayed the blunt humor of her character, never missing a punch line. Cameron Mitchell was charming and magnetic as the amiable but slightly daft cowboy Will Parker, especially in the songs "Kansas City" and "All Er Nothin'". Lionel Jackson (Jud) gave a fine vocal performance, providing pleasant harmonies in the comic duet "Pore Jud is Daid."

There were some excellent performances from actors in smaller roles. As a whole, the ensemble had some vocal problems, but the energy that the citizens of Oklahoma provided was superb. This was especially apparent in "The Farmer and the Cowman", a raucous number which was at once the most chaotic and the most polished of the ensemble scenes. Specific performers stood out from the ensemble with both their presence and their technical skills. Olivia Spaccasi and Alex Forman often drew the attention of the audience with their graceful movement, and both shined as featured dancers. Finally, Michael McShane (Ike Skidmore) made the most of a small part, capitalizing on all his opportunities for comedy. He was the clear leader of the male ensemble.

It is always a challenge to take on an influential classic such as Oklahoma! While some elements of St. Andrew's' show were lacking, it was evident that just about every performer, whether a lead player or an ensemble member, enjoyed him/herself on stage. The cast's pure energy and joy created a production that was not only true to the mood of the show, but enjoyable for the audience as well.

Jamie Joeyen-Waldorf
Langley High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Montgomery

It's a beautiful mornin' as the sun rises, strings on a violin ring out in the distance, and a cowboy casually saunters up to a farmhouse to woo his sweetheart. Little do we know that this peaceful atmosphere will soon be transformed into a romp-stompin', brawl brewin' night of love battles, deceptive peddlers, and jealous rage, depicted in St. Andrew's Episcopal School's rousing production of Oklahoma!.

Considered a turning point in musical theatre history, Oklahoma! opened in 1943, ushering in the "golden age" of Broadway. Based on Lynn Riggs' play, Green Grow the Lilacs, the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical catapulted the songwriting duo to success, running for 2,212 performances and garnering a special 1944 Pulitzer Prize. The iconic musical centers on cowboy Curly McLain and his budding romance with town beauty, Laurey Williams, in the 1906 Oklahoma territory. However, trouble brews when preparations for the night's box social dance spark jealousy and confusion among the townsfolk.

Portraying the main pair of young lovers, Billy Weber as Curly and Amelia Heesen as Laurey connected believably together with many endearing moments of flirtation. Weber's luminous, rich voice echoed with the charm of western twang, his demeanor quite relaxed as he seemed comfortable in his own performance element. From belting an iconic tune such as "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top" to commanding the strings of a violin, Weber showed great versatility. Heesen brought a unique tomboyish flavor to the leading lady role and effectively displayed the change in her character's evolving feelings towards Curly. Her pleasant soprano voice was especially enjoyable in the couple's duet, "People Will Say We're in Love."

Romance abounded elsewhere as the ditzy Ado Annie (Tiffanie Snyder) struggled to choose between two potential lovers, the sweet-faced Will Parker (Cameron Mitchell) and the exotically crafty Ali Hakim (Michael McMillen). Snyder's child-like peppiness matched Mitchell's enthusiastic pursuit of her affection. Displaying rhythmic dancing ability and fine vocal work, Mitchell captured the thoughtful young man with ease. Likewise, McMillen played the bumbling Persian peddler with an appropriate sense of comedic timing and outlandish accent, his many one-liners drawing uproarious laughter. Equally as entertaining was Jordan Reilly as the eccentric, but matronly Aunt Eller. Reilly's sarcastic sass and booming voice highlighted her resourceful use of the western language and dialect.

In terms of the technical elements, the stage crew, though a bit lagging at times, successfully switched between three main settings, assuring that platforms were safely and securely clamped down. Student publicity efforts included a short, but enticing trailer highlighting video footage from the show's musical numbers, as well as a unique poster design graphic featuring a silhouetted version of a cowboy and cowgirl, their lassos looping to form the "O" of the Oklahoma title.

Despite occasional awkward physicality and missed pitches, St. Andrew's Episcopal School's production of Oklahoma! sparkled with unwavering energy, transporting the audience to the simple days of a sprawling, vibrant western landscape. Tackling this iconic musical theatre standard which illustrates the triumph of true love, the cast and crew certainly deserved a hearty and resounding Oklahoma "Yeow!"

Nicole Gray
St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School
Submitted for publication to ShowBizRadio.net

Complete with period costumes, stunning rivalries, and romance to boot; St. Andrew's Episcopal School's production of Okalahoma! was a treat for theatre-goers of any age.

Based on the 1931 play Green Grow the Lilacs, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! opened on Broadway in 1943 as one of the earliest "book musicals", a style of show in which all of the songs are meant to advance the plot or character development in some way. The musical has been revived on Broadway twice and has sparked the creation of two adaptations of the musical in movie form.

The scene opened on a rustic-looking two story farmhouse and the elderly Aunt Eller played by junior Jordan Reilly churning butter just off of the front porch. Billy Weber's Curly skillfully played an opening tune on the violin from the top balcony before joining Reilly onstage which gave audience members the illusion of being fully immersed in the territory small-town lifestyle. In the opening number of "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'" , Weber's mature baritone tone took center stage as he bounced all over the stage finding his foil in Aunt Eller throughout the number.

Laurey, played by sophomore Amelia Heesen, was well matched for Curly in this production as their voices seamlessly blended together and their chemistry never seemed forced, a troublesome aspect of the production for other actors who sometimes came off as teenagers in their mannerisms. Heesen as Laurey, however never had this problem as she stayed genuine, thoughtful, and engaged throughout all her time onstage.

The other pair of lovers, Ado Annie and Will Parker, played by Tiffanie Snyder and Cameron Mitchell respectively, added an extra dimension of excitement to a relatively serious show and their story-line provided well-executed comic relief in more intense moments of the production. Both fantastic dancers, their energy allowed even the larger group numbers to remain clean-looking and on-beat.

While the first act could be viewed as inconsistent with regard to the energy level onstage, the second act opened with the lively "The Farmer and the Cowman" number that included the entire ensemble which livened up the whole theatre. There was "Plen'y of heart and plen'y of hope" throughout this production of Oklahoma! making it an engaging production for everyone. As the cowboys say in the "Kansas City" number, it was "better than a magic lantern show".

Eva Monroe
Woodrow Wilson High School
Submitted for publication to Maryland Theatre Guide

As the overture ends and the lights slowly come up, the sound of a violin hangs over the audience. After a few bars, Billy Weber puts down the instrument and struts onstage, fully dressed in cowboy garb and belting "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning," the famous opening to "Oklahoma!" So began St. Andrew Episcopal's production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, Rodger and Hammerstein's first.

"Oklahoma!"'s significance in musical theater canon is indisputable. It was one of the first "book musicals," that told aspects of the story through song and dance. The show opened in 1943 and ran for 2,212 performances, and the 1955 film adaptation won an Academy Award. It remains a popular musical, and was revived in 2010 at Washington's Arena Stage.

Oklahoma! takes place in 1906 Indian Territory, the soon-to-be-state of Oklahoma. It follows farm girl Laurey Williams (Amelia Heesen) as she is courted by cowboy Curly McLain (Billy Weber) and farmhand Jud Fry (Lionel Jackson). It also features Aunt Eller (Jordan Reilly), the maternal figure to all of the characters, Will Parker (Cameron Mitchell), a spendthrift sweetheart of a cowboy, and his girl Ado Annie (Tiffanie Snyder), a hormone-riddled teenaged girl who flits from one man to the next.

St. Andrew's boasted a well-rounded cast, with Weber and Heesen standing out as vocal leads. Weber created an amiable and likeable Curly from his first few moments onstage, and Heesen balanced him out by showing the evolution of Curly and Laurey's relationship through her initial standoffishness and eventual chemistry. Reilly and Micheal McMillen (as Ali Hakim, a peddler) kept energy levels high with their comedic delivery and physicality, and Micheal McShane as Ike Skidmore and Brian Bries as Andrew Carnes drew big laughs despite limited stage time.

While there were some issues with sound mixing and with harmonies, Weber and Jackson's performance of "Pore Jud is Daid" was powerful and evocative, and the most moving number of the show. St. Andrew's student orchestra, who played in costume and were occasionally integrated into the show, did a good job with a difficult score. St. Andrew's Episcopal School's production embodied the hopeful spirit of the show, with beautiful lighting and set design, strong characterizations, and powerful voices.

Yena Seo
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Submitted for publication to Patch.com - ARL/MC/Mont/DC

A single fiddle's melody can be heard in the distance as the lights come up on a quaint little town, and one can almost smell the churned butter and hear the rustling of corn stalks on the plain. In a charming production of Oklahoma!, St. Andrew's Episcopal School provided all the warmth and delight of a Midwestern summer, heralded by infectious energy, charismatic dancing and soaring vocals.

Oklahoma! was the first musical written by the famous duo of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, and was based on the play Green Grow the Lilacs by Lynn Riggs. The original production premiered on Broadway in 1943 and quickly became a smash success, capturing the hearts of people of all ages. The beloved story, set in Oklahoma territory in the early 20th century, revolves around a budding romance between farm girl Laurey Williams and a cowboy named Curly, and is widely acclaimed to be the single most influential American musical, with numerous subsequent revivals and films.

Billy Weber was utterly magnetic as Curly, anchoring the show with his consistent vocals and exquisite chemistry with other actors. Weber brought high esprit to his performance, mesmerizing the audience with his charming Midwestern drawl and million-dollar smile, notably in his rendition of "The Surrey With The Fringe on Top." Also impressive were Weber's violin skills as he played the tune to "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'" at the very beginning of the show. Weber's chemistry with leading lady Amelia Heesen was endearing, particularly in the second act, as they exemplified the perfect couple who refuses to admit they're in love. Heesen's performance as the stubborn but sincere Laurey was engaging, and the pair's vocals and chemistry were delightful in numbers such as "People Will Say We're in Love."

Several supporting actors had memorable performances, carrying the production with an effervescent energy and admirable accents. Jordan Reilly showcased a strong stage presence and was thoroughly pleasant as the sensible, rational Aunt Eller, and her excellent comedic timing throughout the production garnered many laughs from the audience. Another actor who provided uproarious humor was Michael McMillen, who infused his portrayal of Ali Hakim with gusto as the conning Persian peddler attempting to avoid marriage. Cameron Mitchell as the sweet-faced Will Parker anchored several ensemble numbers with his singing and dancing abilities, and his entertaining relationship with Tiffanie Snyder as the flirtatious Ado Annie was enjoyable to watch. Despite a few weak moments in enunciation, projection and pitch, the ensemble gave zealous performances and brought color and liveliness to the small, close-knit town, especially in larger numbers.

A clear strength of the production was the orchestra, whose members were dressed in plaid shirts, red bandannas and cowboy hats to further ground the production in its Oklahoma setting. Though sometimes overpowering, the orchestra truly tackled Rodgers and Hammerstein's score with fervor and enthusiasm. While large set pieces such as Aunt Eller's swiveling house proved to be somewhat daunting for the stage crew to move around, scene changes often went silently and smoothly.

When it first made its Broadway debut during the midst of World War II, Oklahoma! created an escape from the era by presenting a warm story about the exuberant spirit of a pioneer community in the American heartland. For a few hours, the cast and crew of St. Andrew's Episcopal School successfully created a compelling, engaging production of the classic musical, and left audience members feeling as if everything had truly gone their way.

Noah Mutterperl
Hayfield Secondary School
Submitted for publication to Montgomery Gazette

Blackout. A violin plays beautiful tones. You look to the pit, yet they aren't playing. Puzzled, you suddenly look behind to find a lone cowboy skillfully playing the lively melody. As he walks through the audience, our cowboy transitions to a rich vocal performance of the opening number as the stage lights brighten on the American frontier.

St. Andrew's Episcopal School's engaging start to Rodger and Hammerstein's classic, Oklahoma! set the mood for the fun that ensued in this production of one Broadway's most popular musicals.

Based of the Lynn Riggs' play, "Green Grow the Lilacs", Oklahoma! was the first musical written by the legendary team of composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist and author Oscar Hammerstein II. Originally produced in 1943 at the beginning of the "Gold Age" of Broadway (1940s- 60s), Oklahoma! has been revived on Broadway and the West End several times.

Oklahoma! tells the story of an arrogant cowboy, Curly, in -- you guessed it -- Oklahoma, in 1906, who attempts to win the love of self-reliant farm girl, Laurey. Conflict ignites as Jud, Laurey's hired hand, intervenes in an attempt to keep Laurey for himself.

A secondary plot follows the romantic misadventure of Curly's best friend Will, as he and foreign peddler, Ali Hakim, both pursue the affections of Ado Annie, a flimsy, flirtatious farm girl, providing a balance with the darker love triangle of Curly, Laurey and Jud.

Multi-talented Billy Weber led the cast as Curly, entertaining the audience with his stellar, period-appropriate vocals, fiddle playing and his comedic timing in the show's lighter moments. Weber's performance strengthened when he and leading lady Amelia Heesen portrayed Curly and Laurey's transition from light flirtation to demonstration of their deeper feelings. Heesen's voice had a beautiful resonance that blended well with Weber's, adding to their chemistry. She captured the spirit of a strong independent woman of the American frontier, with excellent facial expressions to display her inner conflict throughout the production.

Michael McMillen, as Ali Hakim the peddler, had viewers in stitches with his sarcasm and outstanding delivery of the funniest lines in the show. His portrayal of the smooth foreigner with bad luck brought unrestrained laughter. Supporting actress Jordan Reilly played Laurey's Aunt Eller, whose dry, witty humor made her a standout. Reilly's reposed portrayal of the motherly Eller resulted in even more hilarity when she delivered her sardonic jokes.

An occasional lack of urgency from the cast caused some scenes to drag. The performance was also hampered by slow transitions by the stage crew. The sets themselves were well built, with a picturesque scenic backdrop and a large wooden structure that was cleverly used as a porch, a smokehouse, and other settings. A precision orchestra backed the quality vocal performances. The costumed orchestra sounded well rehearsed, yet at times overpowered the singers.

From its singing, dancing cowboys, to its unique set design, St. Andrew's Episcopal School's performance of Oklahoma! provided an occasionally flawed but nonetheless enjoyable show.

Khrysgiana Pineda
Stone Bridge High School
Submitted for publication to The Mane News

The lights ascend, disclosing quite "a beautiful morning". 1906 Oklahoma, the battle of love and war is imminent as we pursue the story of Curly and his girl Laurey, who's sassy, yet reserved character contrasts that of Ado Annie, Will's flirty fiancé, in this exuberant tale of farmers and cowboys.

Oklahoma! is an invigorating musical to which you just "can't say no!", premiering on Broadway in 1943, it was written by the team of Composer Richard Rodgers and librettist Oscar Hammerstein II, based on the play, Green Grow the Lilacs, by Lynn Riggs.

St. Andrew's Episcopal School's production of Oklahoma! was more than "OK", the unvarying dynamism and fervor consuming the audience in the controversies and affairs of this divergent cast of characters.

"Singin' like a bullfrog in the pond", Curly's (Billy Weber) entrance surprised and mesmerized the audience instantaneously as he descended the steps into Aunt Eller's (Jordan Reilly) garden. Violin in hand, he struck the stage with his charismatic charm and captivating deep tenor voice. Throughout the course of the production Weber demonstrated superlative character understanding, diction, and stage presence. Chemistry between Curly and Laurey (Amelia Heesen) was evident from barnyard flirting to marriage, never lacking indisputability.

Laurey's (Amelia Heesen) palpable character development procured depth to her spunky disposition as she allowed love to take the wheel in act two, as opposed to her hard-to-get, brackish nature of act one. From snide remarks and taciturn flirtation to an openly in- love newly wed, Laurey captivated an essence of youth as well as maturity.

Ali Hakim (Michael McMillen), Aunt Eller (Jordan Reilly), and Ado Annie (Tiffanie Snyder) expressed prominent comedic relief which held the musical on its toes, extracting copious laughter from a jovial audience and depositing a comedic eminence of this spirited show.

While often overriding, the orchestra was analogous to vocalists onstage. "Pore Jud is Daid", performed by Curly and Jud Fry (Lionel Jackson), was an illustrious piece, immaculately harmonized and vocally striking. Music and dance numbers, though the choruses were not unanimously allied, were however potently radiant and dynamically upholding.

Though a few technical intricacies were apparent, stage management was lucratively executed. Ensemble exhibited a tight knit chemistry, and although on occurrence deficient chorally, demonstrated a synchronized vivacity of movement and eagerness which held the life of the play. An exquisite use of blocking beguiled an incessant artistry of stage pictures which proved aesthetic and lucid.

It's "All 'er Nothin'!" which is exactly what St. Andrew's Episcopal School presented the audience from an Oklahoma hello to a Persian goodbye. Keep your chin up high, you're doin' fine Oklahoma!

Marisa Considine
Teens and Theatre Company
Submitted for publication to The Mane News

The lights slowly fade in on St. Andrew's Episcopal School's Production of Oklahoma!. On the stage a woman sits alone churning butter. Suddenly from the back of the house comes the sound of a violin, played by none other than the character Curly (Billy Weber) himself. It's the little touches like these that bring this production together.

Oklahoma! Is a story about a woman named Laurey (Amelia Heesen) and a man named Curly. The two are in love, but despite Curly's affections Laurey has never fully returned them. The main problem comes from Laurey's ranch hand Jud (Lionel Jackson), a lonely violent man who wants Laurey for himself. Through the play Jud and Curley face off for Laurey's hand. Eventually Laurey and Curly are wed and Jud is killed in a fight with Curly.

The show had great little moments, moments such as the violin previously mentioned. Other moments included when a member of the orchestra got on the stage with the cast to play the guitar at a party. This helped to bring a small town feel to the musical as it helps bring a feeling of unity to everyone working on the show when someone from a different crew is included in the story. One of the most intense moments in the show came from Aunt Eller (Jordan Reilly) who gets angry during the party scene due to the fighting between the two groups of farmer and cowboys and fires a gun into the air, threatening friend and foe alike. The song "Pore Jud is Daid" was delivered with great comedic timing despite the gory meaning of the words.

Although some of the character's movements seemed rather mechanical and blocked Curly and Laurey still had believable chemistry together that helped to solidify their relationship. Ali Hakim (Michael McMillen) was a stand out in the show, delivering his lines comically. Some of the fighting was not very convincing as some actors missed their marks. They had some issues with the singing and speaking when the orchestra was playing. Despite the setbacks the ensemble remained engaged through the entire play and helped to bring everything together.

Oklahoma! Is a fun show to watch and perform. With comedic lines, an interesting story line, and a great love story, Oklahoma! Is a musical that has been groundbreaking for all musicals that have come after it. The players of St. Andrew's Episcopal School definitely showed how enjoyable Oklahoma! Truly is.