By Manning Harris

I had a feeling we were in trouble when it came time for the overture of the Gas South Broadway Series version of “Oklahoma!” and there was none.

I’m sure you’re familiar with this iconic work of the American musical theatre:  a simple tale of cowhands and farmers finding love and community in the 1906 Oklahoma Territory.  In 1943 it caught the imagination and patriotic passion of wartime America even as it took Broadway by storm and brought composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II together for the first time.  “Oklahoma!” was historic:  a “book musical” where the songs and dances (by the brilliant Agnes de Mille) are fully integrated into a well-made story.  This show was a game-changer—a record-breaking Broadway run, a hugely successful film adaptation, and innumerable revivals.

My companion for last night’s performance at the Cobb Energy Centre, where the show will run through Sunday, January 9, was fortunate enough to see London’s National Theatre revival in 1998; Trevor Nunn directing, Susan Stroman’s choreography, and an unknown young singing actor named Hugh Jackman playing Curly (not to mention Marietta’s Shuler Hensley in an Olivier-winning performance as Jud Fry).  The London revival is available on DVD.

Yours truly was fortunate enough to see the Broadway transfer of that brilliant production in 2002 (minus Mr. Jackman, but a Tony for Mr. Hensley).  I can assure you that the Cobb Energy Centre’s version is neither of these.

It is what theatre folks call a bus and truck company, and it cuts corners in every conceivable way—sets, lighting, shrunk orchestra, unattractive costumes, and a tinny sound system.  I suppose I should have been alerted by an AJC article yesterday which gave ample warning that this was a “slimmed down” production using only 19 actors who must sing, dance, and play multiple characters.  But it’s not fair to the actors (virtually all quite young and talented), the paying audience, or this legendary show.  This “Oklahoma!” is as cheap and meretricious as the baubles that peddler Ali Hakim (from the show) hawks from his suitcase.

There are die-hard fans of the show who won’t care, who would go anywhere to hear “O, What a Beautiful Mornin’” and “People Will Say We’re in Love.”  Fine—right this way, your table’s waiting, as the Emcee from “Cabaret” would say.  There was a huge crowd Thursday night.

Five performers are stand-outs:  Jake Boyd (Will Parker); Shayla Osborn (Ado Annie); Paul Saylor (Curly); Lindsey Bliven (Laurie); and Thesa Loving (Aunt Eller).  Oh, yes, the show was directed and choreographed by Norb Joerder.

For more information, visit www.cobbenergycentre.com. To reach Manning Harris email him at fmanningh@gmail.com.