Oklahoma! Reviews

Cindy Pittsburgh PA from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

BIG WASTE OF TIME

What a big waste of time! I spent my hard earned money and drove in a snow storm to see this low budget play. I go to the theater to be entertained not to be shocked, bewildered or depressed. Bizarre does not equal creativity. Example: the long dramatic pauses, scenes in the dark but yet portions on video and the dream scene that felt like a bad drug trip from the 70’s. I can’t blame the actors for the writing/directing of this play made it impossible for them to shine.

Josephe from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

TALENTED PERFORMERS. LAZY SET DESIGN. POORLY EXECUTED CONCEPT.

We did our due diligence & knew not to expect a traditional show. The performers were very good and Christopher Bannow was a particular dramatic standout as Jud. I wish that I could have seen this cast in a better show. The on-stage band was flawless. Minimalist sets that smartly use space & light are interesting. This set design was neither smart nor interesting. The staging of characters on picnic tables at full light watching the action (to represent apathy?) until their 'official' entrances stole focus and contributed to the low energy of Act 1. Surprisingly, the blackout scene for "Pore Jud is Daid" was a hauntingly dramatic standout. However, that same blackout concept for Curly/Laurey in Act 2 was annoying and gimmicky. Although performed by a talented dancer, the ballet sequence was misguided in its overly repetitious sexual content which seemed performed for shock value instead of content value. I cannot recommend this show but it did elicit much conversation afterward.

Laura from Chicago, Illinois

AWKWARD AND DISAPPOINTING

Had I read reviews ahead of time I would have skipped this show. If you’re looking for the original Roger’s & Hammerstein classic this isn’t it. I’m not opposed to new interpretations but most of the changes fell flat or were so disjointed they were jarring. I suspect making people feel uncomfortable was part of this Director’s goal - in which case, mission accomplished! The Jud character reminded me of Jesse Eisenberg playing Lex Luther in Batman. The dance dream sequence at the beginning of the 2nd act was outstanding, made me think of Alvin Ailey performances, but still felt out of place. The dark scenes were drawn out and disturbing but not the thoughtful kind that makes you think - the kind that makes you want to leave early, which many did at intermission. The cast was talented enough but even they didn’t seem thrilled to be there. Unless edgy experimental theatre is your thing & you’ve never seen the original- take a hard pass.

Lori from Carol Stream, Illinois

OKLAHOMA

I have never, ever in 43 years of going to shows left early. Really bad. Promoters us "Rogers & Hammerstein" to sell tickets. It was NOT there version. Production was completely changed. If they wanted ti change the show, market it as such. Total waste of money. Not the performers fault though. Pretty voices.

Will from Buffalo, New York

BIZARRE

I really wanted to like it. The musicians in the band were awesome and the singing was excellent but the dialogue was choppy with odd pauses that seemed out of place, the dream sequence at the beginning of Act II was like a parody of horrible performance art - I was laughing because it was so silly and unintelligible. The motifs and themes of the original musical were skewed. The wedding scene and the thoughtless use of violence that didn’t leave a moral message but just left a mess. I left wondering why had I wasted my time and money on such a horrific mess. I felt bad for the cast, musicians and crew. I do not think Oklahoma! can be updated. An effort was made to do so. It failed miserably. Finally much of the theater cleared out after the first Act, which was admittedly the better of the two Acts.

Marilyn from Buffalo, New York

OKLAHOMA

We left during intermission It was a big disappointment. I knew there would be differences compared to the original version but i thought it was awful. The set reminded me of a school cafeteria. There sure was no chemistry between the leading couples. The producers took a beautiful musical and ruined it. Sone of the songs were out of tune. Enough said!

Golfer Sue from Buffalo, New York

SORRY FOR THE ACTORS

This was not the show I was hoping for. No scene changes, costumes a true bore. So dark, not fun. Why is the female lead so ANGRY? What was Sheas Buffalo thinking bringing this here? Don’t they have a clue who their audience is ? What a waste of time and money. Please do better Sheas for what we pay to be season ticket holder’s.

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