Oklahoma
at George Mason High School

Reviewed on November 15, 2013

Jordan Goodson
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

Across the stage stride cowboys with checkered shirts and shining spurs, wholesome girls with picnic baskets, a saucy old aunt with more than enough homespun wisdom to spare, and an eccentric foreigner. Though temperatures in the real world may be dropping, and winter is fast approaching, George Mason High School's auditorium brims with all the warmth and charm of a Midwestern summer, with their delightful production of "Oklahoma!"

Based on the play "Green Grow the Lilacs" by Lynn Riggs, "Oklahoma!" was Rodgers and Hammerstein's first musical, premiering on Broadway in 1943 and running for 2,212 performances—a record at the time. Since then it has seen multiple revivals, and has been said to be the single most influential American musical, serving as a model for innumerable musicals to follow. The show, set in 1906 Oklahoma territory, centers on a farm girl named Laurey and her budding romance with the cowboy Curly; complications arise when sinister farmhand Jud develops a dangerous fixation on Laurey. "Oklahoma!" also features a subplot surrounding Laurey's best friend, the coquettish Ado Annie, and Ali Hakim, a supposedly Persian peddler.

As the sweet but stubborn Laurey, Sophie DeLeo proved to be the show's vocal powerhouse— her clear, lovely voice showcased in songs such as "Many a New Day." Her chemistry with Curly (George de Mars) was endearing: the two perfected the push-and-pull of lovers who won't admit they're in love. Lilly Constance beautifully portrayed the flirtatious, simpleminded Ado Annie, making distinct choices such as a stumbling physicality and a glassy-eyed, slack-jawed expression that solidified her character in a hilarious manner. George Castillo, as her fiancé Will, provided Constance with a wonderful straight man to her over-the-top comedy, in duets such as "All Er Nuthin."

Though their characters couldn't have been more disparate, twins Joe Warren (as Jud) and Alexander Warren (as Ali Hakim) gave brilliant, nuanced performances. Joe Warren was appropriately intimidating, giving off a menacing aura with his gruff voice and violent temperament shifts. He also managed to portray the psychological complexity of his character without losing his frightening edge, rendering Jud a touch more sympathetic but still thoroughly villainous. On the other side of the spectrum, Alexander Warren infused his performance of Ali Hakim with broad, exaggerated humor, employing a cartoonish accent and rapid-fire speech to embody the dubiously Persian peddler.

Adding to the production's rustic ambiance were its technical elements, particularly the aesthetically-pleasing set and costumes. The set comprised of a reversible farm house, a painted backdrop of corn beneath a bright blue sky, and a spinning windmill—all helping to give the show a pastoral quality. The costumes, designed by Grace Housman, were colorful, quaint, and appropriate for the time period. Though there were some microphone errors, the lighting changed seamlessly, and several stylish effects—such as shadowing and mood lighting— were implemented. The choreography for the rousing musical numbers, created by Meredith Johnson, was simple but effective, utilizing the actors' skills and forming attractive stage pictures—especially in the show's famous "Dream Ballet."

"Oklahoma!" is a classic, a staple of American musical theatre, and for good reason: the story is compelling, the characters engaging, and the music entrancing. To get "Oklahoma!" right, however, performers must put their heart and soul into their production—and, with skillful performances, cheerful commitment, and a winsome flair, George Mason High School did just that.

Emma Paquette
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

The hazy fields of the West seem particularly beautiful through the romantic lens of nostalgia. The charm of a quaint little town, full of lovable characters and happy endings, is brought to life in a soft mix of earth and pastel colors. One can almost smell the gentle wafts of corn and wheat, lazily drifting across the plains. With this fond idea of simpler days long past already taking hold of the audience, the lights come up and the timeless story of Oklahoma! begins. George Mason High School succeeded in reviving a classic piece in their heartwarming production.

Oklahoma! was the first musical written by the famous team of composer Richard Rodgers and librettist Oscar Hammerstein II, based on the 1931 play Green Grow the Lilacs by Lynn Riggs. The original Broadway production opened in 1943 and became a box-office smash, helping to establish the style of the "book musical" as a commercially successful venture. The story of farm girl Laurey Williams and her romance with Curly McLain, cowboy, has captured thousands of hearts through the original production as well as subsequent revivals and films.

Laurey was played with grace and poise by Sophie DeLeo, succeeding in establishing her place as the heart and soul of the story. Her enchanting voice soared in a cast that occasionally struggled with pitch, echoing through the theatre with piercing sweetness, most prominently in her number "Many a New Day". She was also a talented dancer; her many spins and jumps in the ballet sequence were truly impressive. DeLeo created a sincere connection with her leading man, Curly McLain (George de Mars), the quick-talking cowboy who steals her heart through sheer persistence. Mars brought a sympathetic nature to his character that contributed to the realism of his relationship with DeLeo.

The cast was studded with memorable supporting performances, contributing to the magic of the production. The sweet-faced Will (George Castillo) brought solid energy to his scenes. His voice had a delightful tone that anchored ensemble numbers and created pleasing solos such as "Kansas City". Castillo and his Ado Annie, played with adorable air-headedness by Lilly Constance, brought another entertaining relationship to the show, their somewhat idiotic actions serving to endear them to the audience. Constance must also be commended for her strong character choices, her vacant stare and wild physicality effectively adding a new element to the typical Ado Annie. Alexander Warren as Ali Hakim also brought uproarious humor to the show with his inexhaustible gusto. Indeed, the overall ensemble, despite a few low energy moments, committed themselves to their roles and brought the town to life. The farmers and cowboys were particularly strong, playing off of each other to hilarious effect.

The tech painted a stunning picture of the rustic state of Oklahoma at the turn of the century while also adding to the emotion and drama of the story. Lighting effectively used color and shadows to manufacture intense moments, most notably in the frequent use of red light to reveal Jud's (Joe Warren) menacing intentions. The scenic design was appropriately simplistic to let the performances of the actors take precedence in the production. The natural color design of the set also worked well with the period costumes, giving a cohesive feel to the whole show.

With gorgeous vocals, affecting acting, and worthy technical elements, George Mason High School's wonderful production of Oklahoma! left the audience with the beautiful feeling that everything had truly gone their way.

Sarah Ortiz
Oakcrest School
Submitted for publication to ShowBizRadio.net

Out West misunderstood love grows with the cornstalks as the young folk must find a way to untangle its hold or they will face Pa's gleaming shot gun. Last weekend George Mason High School roped in the audience with a solid performance of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

Written and composed by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II in 1943, Oklahoma! was among the first book musicals, in which the songs and dances are fully incorporated into the plot. The tale unravels in the year 1906 on a farm in the Oklahoma Territory bordering the town of Claremore. Romance springs up between the farm girl Laurey Williams and the cowboy Curly McLain, along with the always flirtatious Ado Annie and an earnest Will Parker. Yet there is jealousy and confusion in the bright western air as the characters struggle to discover their real love, and avoid the threatening presence of Jud Fry the farm hand.

The soaring vocals from Sophie DeLeo as Laurey transported the viewers out west and into the world of the character's thickening relationships.

The convincing acting of Will Parker (George Castillo) and Ado Annie (Lilly Constance) brought the rocky relationship to life. While Sophie DeLeo captured the hearts of every audience member with singing that soared in the theatre, her expressive features and gestures accurately portrayed Laurey's indecision about Curly.

The laughs were ringing from the audience as the conning Persian Peddler, Ali Hakim (Alexander Warren), hilariously attempted to avoid marrying Ado Annie as he found himself confronted by Pa's shot gun, all the while keeping up a lively stage presence and a Persian accent. Beth Cashin as Gertie Cummings gave an impressive laugh that cackled and shrilled to fit her character's exasperating frivolity. Although in act one the cast lacked some energy, they were able to pick it up in the exuberant finale. The choreography remained simple, such as in the Dream Ballet, yet it never surpassed the actor's abilities and so the ensemble dances were clean throughout. The humor was the show's constant companion as laughter sounded in both acts one and two.

A functioning log cabin that the characters could climb on and enter through the front door aided the plot as it allowed characters to leave the stage in a clever way. The set also had a screen backdrop and as time progressed the blue sky shifted to a night sky with stars twinkling above. Notable as well were the effects of the lighting which reflected the mood of the scene. In the Dream Ballet a red glow cast Laurey and Jud's shadows on the backdrop creating an interesting dynamic between the dancing characters and the shadows. However, some cast members talked during the applause and the words were lost. Similarly, a few actors struggled with proper diction, yet the majority managed to pull off the southern accent. The costumes were consistent with the time period and place and had an overall pleasing appearance.

In this whirlwind of a romantic tale, George Mason High School managed to perform the difficult musical Oklahoma! with plenty of humor and commitment that shone through and made a fine show.

Sam Miller
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com - Fairfax

Wind races across the prairie. The acres of corn rustle in the breeze. The cowboys come home. And Curly comes to woo Laurey.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's first musical, ‘Oklahoma', is a beautiful show. Premiering in March 1943, the show ran for over 2,000 performances. It was one of the first musicals to use songs for the progression of plot, and is still regarded as one of the best-loved musicals of Broadway.

Set in the territory of Oklahoma in 1906, George Mason's ‘Oklahoma' opens on Curly (George de Mars) and Laurey (Sophie DeLeo) who both attempt to hide their romantic feelings from one another, while the temperamental Jud (Joe Warren) pines over Laurey. Meanwhile, Laurey's best friend, Ado Annie (Lilly Constance), is caught between two men, Will (George Castillo), who wants to marry her, and Ali Hakim (Alexander Warren), who only wants to spend a night with her. With advice from the town's two respected elders, Aunt Eller (Sarah Edwards) and Carnes (David Ries), the love-struck men and women attempt to muddle their way through their relationships.

De Mars swept onstage as Curly and gave the audience exactly what they wanted: someone to root for. Throughout the show, he had the audience cheering when he won Laurey's heart. He and DeLeo had excellent chemistry onstage and played off of one another well, creating a realistic and romantic atmosphere whenever they were onstage together. DeLeo herself invented an engaging character without seeming melodramatic or needy. The two were both strong vocalists and performed their duets such as "People Will Say We're in Love" perfectly while still remaining in character.

Warren took the stereotypically brooding Jud and managed to play the character in a way that almost made Jud appear sympathetic. The fresh twist on the well-worn character made the audience more conflicted as he fought for Laurey's affections, and put them in the unusual position of coming away from this show without knowing who the good guy was supposed to be. The interesting twist made watching the show that much more of a delight. To contrast Jud's serious plotline, Constance, Castillo, and A. Warren made quite the interesting trio, each one bringing out the full humorous potential for their characters. Constance and Castillo went on stage, each determined to trump the other with their enthusiasm, and it is difficult to declare a winner. The two managed to go from exasperated and argumentative to enamored and romantic in seconds, and both were shown to be excellent vocalists in "All Er Nuthin'". Meanwhile, the flirtatious A. Warren played the Persian peddler who only wanted to have a bit of fun before discovering that every girl has a father with a shotgun. He always had an intensely energized performance and consistently managed to keep the audience engaged.

The show's lighting was virtually flawless, with bright stars that shifted position, and a sun that literally rose to show the passage of time. During moments of intense emotion, the backdrop was bathed in a red glow that cast the shadows of the performers up, creating a silhouetted drama that rivaled the one on stage.

The set was intricate and well-made, with two houses, one of which could make full turns. The corn was used well to hide the speakers kept onstage, and overall the set was visually pleasing.

Overall, the show was delightful to watch, and truly brought out the talent of George Mason's theatre department as a whole as they portrayed the classic tale: That true love triumphs in the end.

Katie Connor
St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School
Submitted for publication to Falls Church News Press

In 1907 America, under the hot Oklahoma sun, trouble is brewing. And it all has to do with answering this question: who will Laurey, a farm girl, choose: the handsome, heroic cowboy Curly, or the farmhand Jud?

Oklahoma! made a scene when it premiered on Broadway in 1943, in wartime America. The first collaboration between Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rogers, Oklahoma! opened to rave reviews from critics and became one of the earliest book musicals, musicals that concentrated on including songs that moved the plot forward. Oklahoma! ran 2,212 performances when it first opened, but did not receive any Tonys, as the awards did not exist in 1943.

Sophie deLeo was delightful as farm girl Laurey, portraying her with simultaneous independence and vulnerability. Her indecisiveness fueled from stubbornness to submit to the norm by marrying Curly and a wariness of Jud seemed believable. Her singing voice was wonderfully showcased in songs such as "Many A New Day" and "People Will Say We're in Love."

Supporting actress Lilly Constance as Ado Annie brought a nice energy to the show as the flirty best friend of Laurey, who had her own love triangle to sort out: marry Will (George Castillo), who passionately declares his love for her, or the exotic traveling peddler Ali Hakim (Alexander Warren), who's just plain fun? And freshman Sarah Edwards as Aunt Eller brought a sensibility and practicality to the production as the rational aunt of Laurey. Beth Cashin was enjoyable as the annoying Gertie, the alternate love interest for Curly.

Strong performances were given by Alexander Warren, as the charming swindler Ali Hakim, and Joe Warren, as the suspicious farmhand Jud who lusts after Laurey. Alexander Warren hilariously played the womanizing traveling salesman desperate to get Ado Annie (or any other clingy women) off his hands, and offered comic relief among the surprisingly darker moments of the show. Joe Warren, on the other hand, was the polar opposite, playing Jud with a quiet, scary intensity that nicely contrasted the lighter personalities of the other leads.

Act I capped off with the famous dream ballet, as Laurey tries to choose between her suitors. The scene climaxed with a wedding, bathed in malevolent red light, between Laurey and Jud, and a frightening fight between Jud and Curly that ended in a funeral procession for Curly.

The special effects were nicely matched the mood of the musical. The stage crew created a simple but effective set consisting of Aunt Eller's house that swiveled to reveal a schoolhouse for the auction scene, a cornfield background to add atmosphere, and a working windmill. As an added touch the set included a backdrop that changed the sky due to time of day, from light blue to a dark palette scattered with stars. The costumes also fit the time period well.

While there were some some issues with sound and overall energy, the cast held it together the entire time, backed by a strong orchestra. A classic tale of love and lust, Oklahoma! proved to be a fun production with some hilarious moments.

Margaret O'Meara
West Potomac High School
Submitted for publication to The Lasso

In Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain, we find love and trouble brewing in George Mason High School's production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

Oklahoma! follows the developing love between Curly (George de Mars) and Laurey (Sophie DeLeo), both too stubborn to admit their feelings for each other. Jud Fry (Joe Warren), a mysterious and angry farmhand, has his eye on Laurey too and causes trouble with Curly. Meanwhile, Ado Annie (Lilly Constance), the girl who "just cain't say no," is fickle and indecisive between two men, Will (George Castillo) and Persian peddler Ali Hakim (Alexander Warren). As the story develops, Laurey and Ado Annie find they need to make a choice and declare who they really do love.

DeLeo's charming performance of "Many a New Day" showed Laurey's coyness, telling her friends that she really doesn't like Curly. DeLeo and de Mars rendition of "People Will Say We're in Love" (reprise) was heartwarming and proved Laurey's love for Curly and his for her. The stage chemistry between couples Curly and Laurey and Will and Ado Annie was touching, sweet, and sincere.

It would be an understatement to say that Alexander Warren, as Ali Hakim, had the most energy on stage. The phony and flamboyant character of the peddler brought life to the show in his every scene. Warren served as the comic relief with comical staging, facial expressions, and movements. Warren's performance of "It's a Scandal! It's an Outrage!" was humorously executed with his facial expressions and provided the physical comedy the show needed.

Constance, as Ado Annie, the ditzy lovestruck farmer's daughter, lit up the stage and enhanced the energy of the show in every scene. Her performance of "Cain't Say No" and "All Er Nuthin," performed with Will, were delightful.

Other notable characters include Aunt Eller (Sarah Edwards), Gertie (Beth Cashin), and Ado Annie's father, Carnes (David Ries). Edwards brought the character of Aunt Eller to life with her strong stage presence and believable accent and attitude. Cashin's captured Gertie's nerve-grating cackle hilariously. Ries, as Ado Annie's father, had the right attitude presence on stage as a gun-slinging protective father, and was chiefly distinctive in his courtroom scene.

Light design by Emily Klein was appropriate for each scene and set the moods and tones for the show. The backlighting helped in transitioning scenes from day to night. During Jud's song, "Lonely Room," the harsh red lighting on stage captured his anger and loneliness. The lighting was the highlight of the technical aspects and worked to enhance the production. The rustic set was perfect for the Oklahoma open prairie. The set featured a windmill, cornfield, and farm house.

George Mason High School's Oklahoma! was a pleasing and well-executed performance of Rodger's and Hammerstein's timeless classic. This production of Oklahoma was OK!