Reflection #2.docx

Jared Torgeson Oklahoma Reflection Musical Theatre March 25, 2019 Does the Wind Really Sweep Down the Plain? I would first like to preface this reflection by saying that although Oklahoma! as a musical would not be my first choice, I think there are so many wonderful opportunities to show spectacle and a variety of different styles of dancing, acting, and singing as well as many different possibilities for success in areas of design. I think sometimes I forget the masterpiece this show truly is. That being said, it is interesting to look at the notes I took while watching the musical and to think more in-depth about how each part of the production works together. There are many directions this show could be taken and it is very educational to discover where this specific production succeeds and where it lacks. Starting off, the production concept was successful in the sense that there was a strong sense of continuity when considering the time period as well as the various other elements that are part of a production. The production had a flow that was incredible smooth and from the actors to the technicians, there was a strong sense of connectedness and communication. The execution in all elements was very precise and despite it being a lengthy production, it did not seem to drag. The musical numbers were at an appropriate and understandable tempo, the orchestra and the singing meshed well together to create a balanced sound, dance numbers were cohesive and clean, and the characters truly represented people that would have lived in Oklahoma at this time. Adding on to that, the relationships between characters were established quickly and accurately for the viewer. A critique about the realism versus the fantasy of this musical is at times I felt as though it switched from a very realistic moment to one that was incredibly dramatic. Those transitions felt abrupt from a viewer standpoint and I found myself focusing more on that than the developing plot at times. The first aspect about Oklahoma is the rotating set. I could imagine a number of shows that would work with a rotating set, and at first, I was completely unaware the set was actually rotating. I had reservations about it at first but as the show progressed, I thought that it not only made transitions quite seamless but also made the show feel more alive, and in a sense kept it “moving”. As a general statement, I thoroughly enjoyed the simplicity of the scenic design. Having never seen this version, I was curious to see how it would be done, because I have seen it done more elaborately. I think the minimalistic set not only added to the lifestyle of the characters and created a sense of continuity, but it also allowed the show to be more about the performance of the actors. Despite the simplicity, there were a lot of noticeable and intricate details throughout the set design. It was also a very creative set, especially where the auction was at that barn. I enjoyed that it was just the skeleton of the building as it allowed for

more movement between the building and the set still felt open and spacious. The openness of the set even with the house, or the fence, or the wedding tables, was incredible. It was a large stage, but the placement of set pieces worked so well throughout. With all of this plus a beautiful backdrop, I could see how an audience member would truly feel transported to a farm in the state of Oklahoma. On the opposite end, though I think the corn bits were funny, it took me a little bit out of the show. Having cornstalks that high for a mildly realistic show just did not make a lot of sense for me. I did not really understand the point of doing that. Next, I would like to comment on the lighting of the show. Personally, I think this design was perfect for the show. It was very well executed, accurate, and provided a sense of realism during necessary parts, but also a dramatic change during moments such as the inside of Judd’s shed or during the dream sequence. I was genuinely pleased with the colors used to make the stage bright and warm, but not overwhelming. Specifically looking at Judd’s shed, it was very surprising to me because it felt as though I was not only outside of the theatre, but simultaneously felt as though I had completely changed sets. The ability to make an audience member watching a movie of the live production feel as though they are completely immersed is something very incredible. On the opposite end, it may not have made complete sense to do such dramatic changes in the lighting because the majority of the show does take place in mostly one day. The other section of the show in which the lighting really stood out to me was the dream sequence. Even though this moment in the show was during the day, I really enjoyed the way in which the backdrop adjusted in color to show this was a dream and to give an evening feeling, but as the sequence became more intense, the backdrop color changed as well as pieces of the lighting. The colors reflected the intensity of the dream Lori was having a nightmarish dream. All of these lighting changes that reflect the overall mood of the scene drew me in as a viewer. To wrap it all up I would like to touch on the costume design of the show. This of course is a period show, and I really enjoyed the costumes. There was a nice balance a varying pattern but also in color schemes that worked well in against the scenic design and the lighting design. From the simplistic cowboy outfits, to the floral skirts, there was a great sense verisimilitude that was so continuous throughout these three parts of the production concept. It is easy to see that the process was not taken lightly and the details of each piece of the puzzle were thoughtfully placed to ensure that this production would have success. Switching the conversation to the musical execution of Oklahoma, even though it is a professional production, it still has a lot of aspects that can be praised and critiqued. Widely known as the ‘grown up version’ of the integrated musical, I think it really set a high bar in a variety of ways. The concept of the conditional love song worked so well in this specific production. The characters of this production created such a chemistry that was only strengthened by the lyrics of a song in which they will never admit they love

each other. Onto another idea, it is an interesting concept to think the musical was nearing half a century old when this production was playing. That being said, I think the timeless story of these characters was still very well done. My only qualm with this musical is the song in which Curly tries to convince Judd to kill himself. From a modern eye, I wish this part of the musical could be rewritten or cut. However, that moment is also essential to the plot as a whole and would be impossible to eliminate completely. Despite the complications, I also understand if you put yourself in the years in which this musical was written, when mental health was a subject never discussed, this portion of the musical does seem more logical. The modern beliefs I have simply conflict with the idea of it being acceptable to say what Curly as a character says to Judd. Another important aspect to discuss is the style of singing and dancing. Though the dancing may not have been realistic, I thought it functioned very well. This is clearly a more ‘American cowboy’ influenced musical and there were many elements of dance styles such as line dancing and swing dancing. There was a lot of cowboy flare added to the dancing as well. The most intriguing part of the production however, was the inclusion of ballet as a dance style in tandem with this American cowboy was a combination I would have never expected. That being said, I thought it was a very nice touch to the production and made the dances more entertaining for the viewer. Seeing the mixture of the two dance styles come together seamlessly was fascinating to experience. Next is the style of singing for the show which was very impressive. It had enough accent for me that I could clearly tell I was in the southern part of the United States. I enjoyed the varying mix of speak singing and classically trained tones. The actors had very clear diction through the words that were sometimes in weird sentences, accents, or at quick tempos. I liked the brightness the characters put in their voice as well because I thought it functioned for the style of music during this period but also worked well with the characterization and musicality of each song. Moving on the character development of actors in Oklahoma! there is one character that was the most worthwhile to analyze. Firstly, there is Aunt Eller, who is the reigning matriarch of the production. From the moment she sat outside the house churning butter until the last heart to heart she has with Lori, the stage presence she has is incredibly powerful. The character that Maureen Lipman created is a woman that has been hardened by life, but will simultaneously be a leader, confidant, and friend to all those in her community. She may have a tough personality and may not show her love in a gentle manner, but Lipman thought about this woman, who she would be in reality, her past experiences, and how she would function in this small town of people. The other characters seemingly gravitate toward her because she radiates a sense of wisdom. I think the connection she has with Lori was so honest. Her character had a true sense of care and support for Lori and even though she has been hardened by life, she still has enough love in her heart to support those she cares about. On the opposite of the spectrum, she was a complete spitfire. The character Lipman was able to make

was so unapologetic and demanded a presence. I think the dialogue between Eller and other characters allows for a woman who has agency and is given respect, but with the inflections and tone Lipman used in her lines was very powerful and had feminist tendencies. Despite not being one of the most central characters and not having much room for character development throughout the show, she managed to embody a story of an aged woman that the audience did not necessarily need to know, but throughout the show, wanted to know more and more. She simultaneously brought a wide variety of emotions to my heart, entertained me, and was so dedicated to the character she became when that downbeat started. In conclusion, referencing back to the title of this reflection, I think that the wind in this production truly and completely did come sweeping down the plain. Clearly a highlevel of professionals created this version of Oklahoma and though there were some areas that were not successful for me, this production created art in the best way possible. As a general overview, I think this version had a wide array of talent and brought the elements that create this idea of an integrated musical together very eloquently and masterfully. From lighting design to dance styles, characterization to orchestra, each piece of this production showed their hard work and created something beautiful.