Good Casting. Long Show. Delicious Matcha
I am grateful when I get to see the musical classics for the first time, thanks to a local San Diego Theatre company. Cygnet Theatre, gearing up to move to Liberty Station, says goodbye to its Old Town venue with Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!.
This was the first musical written by the famous duo, and its Broadway debut occurred in 1943, introducing several innovations to musical theatre and storytelling. It was a hit then, and after 80 years, it continues to resonate. Cygnet’s artistic director Sean Murray directs the large cast that brings the story to life from Wednesday to Sunday until its extended date, August 2.
Set in 1906 in the Oklahoma Territory, just before it became a state, Laurey (Ariella Kvashny) and her aunt Eller (Linda Libby) live and run a farm together, along with their employee Judd (Jacob Caltrider). Laurey is stern in her ways and keeps to herself. Curly McClain (Michael Louis Cusimano) is the town’s heartthrob who also has the hots for Laurey but will not admit it. Neither will she. The big “box social” is coming up, where the women gather delicious baked goods and other delicacies into picnic baskets (courtesy of Jessica Cuoto’s props), and the men bid for them. Laurey’s basket, which truly represents her love, prompts a debate that escalates to tragedy. For these scenes, Anne E. McMills’ lighting and Jordan Miller’s fight choreography were key.
Several surrounding characters bring added charm to the happenings in the story, contoured by the musical’s iconic choreography, nicely staged by Jill Gorrie and led mainly by Marc Caro-Wilcox and Jaxon Smith in Mathys Herbert’s functional but straightforward set design.
Eli Wood as Will Parker and Jazley Genovese as Ado Annie are standouts, embodying their romantic shenanigans. I loved Genovese in SDMT’s The Winter Wonderettes; the NYC-based performer brought it once again. Eli has been making his stage rounds across the city, but this role truly brought all his talents to show. Strong vocals and impressive dance skills. The trio, made up of Ellen (Olivia Mitchell), Gertie (Tamara Rodriguez), and Kate (Amy Smith, also the dance Captain), brought spunk and appeal to the performance with powerful dance moves, beautiful harmonies, and sass. Speaking of harmonies, in the song “Farmer and the Cowman,” Jacob Caltrider and Michael Cusimano kill it! Which brings me to another histrionic trio: Ariella-Michael-Jacob, who infused the intensity of the story with tremendous physicality and overall portrayals. Linda Libby is as enchanting as she is feisty as Aunt Eller. At the same time, Manny Fernandes is tender and just, bringing the comedic timing once more as Andrew Carnes, along with Paul Morgavo as Cord Elam.
Although Ricky Buldawas hilarious as Ali Hakim, I was not fascinated with the “Persian” character itself. It is one of those racial aspects that needs refinement.
Zoë Trautmann brought the checkered print, the boots, and the denim complete with chaps and pantaloons.
The makeup was great, but I was not a fan of Laurey’s wigs. Because they showed the lining and were very “wiggy”. Peter Herman “me quedó a deber” like we would say in Spanish.
The show is performed with live music under Patrick Marion’s direction and TJ Fucella’s sound design.
Although charming, the show is long. It feels like watching one of those extended version films. I said in my last review that the play was like streaming an episode. No, this is not a pattern, nor am I getting theatre fatigue (at least not now), but it hits.
Why is “Delicious Matcha” in the headline?
Well, Tamara, one of the cast members, shared on her Instagram stories about Coffee Culture in Old Town, located very close to the theatre. I followed her advice and I was happy. You should, too, because this is the last hurrah before moving to Liberty Station, where we will get our caffeine fix elsewhere.
Oklahoma! Is currently playing until August 2.
The stage manager is Matthew Bantock.
