Delightful 'Oklahoma!' comes to Redondo Beach

The latest Broadway revival of the Richard Rodgers-Oscar Hammerstein II musical "Oklahoma!" received a mixed reception for its presentation of a seamier, sexually charged view of life on the plains at the dawn of the 20th century.

Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities and director Stephanie A. Coltrin steer clear of a 21st-century revision and instead trust that the material doesn't need tweaking to remain fresh.

It's the celebrated "Oklahoma!" after all, and being the first major modern musical isn't the only reason CLOSBC subscribers requested the company return to a show it presented 15 years ago. There's a wealth of unforgettable songs, a compelling story (based on the 1931 Lynn Riggs play "Green Grow the Lilacs"), and gentle touches of humor.

But all Rodgers and Hammerstein hits, from "Oklahoma!" through "The Sound of Music," require lead performers possessed with operatic range and quality, and actors capable of finding the authenticity of the characters.

Coltrin's cast fills that bill, and the result is 2 1/2 hours of visual and aural delights.

Those delights begin with the opening moments - a serene setting of Aunt Eller (Diane Vincent) churning butter with the silence broken by the offstage voice of cowboy Curly (Damon Kirsche) pining "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning." One of the show's best-loved numbers, Kirsche offers its melody with a casualness that serves as a love song for his rural home.

The plot is a pair of basic love stories. Is Curly going to take Laurey (Sarah Bermudez) to the box social dance, or will it be the angry farm hand Jud (Sam Zeller)? And will the flirty Ado Annie (Annie V. Ramsey) wind up with dim-witted cowboy Will (Karl Walden) or the Persian peddler Ali (Nathan Holland)?

But the overarching theme is change. Oklahoma is heading toward statehood. Laurey must grow up and decide her fate. Cowboys and farmers need to get along.

The 16-member CLOSBC orchestra fills the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center with Rodgers' lush score, best evidenced during the first act ballet, which re-creates Laurey's dreams about the dance.

Kirsche's vocal skills are matched by Bermudez, who has appeared in five different productions as Laurey and appears born for the role.

Bermudez and Kirsche soar in the duet "People Will Say We're in Love."

Perhaps the most underrated song is Jud's "Lonely Room," and Zeller's gut-wrenching version of the dark and moody number proves it can be the show's most memorable moment.

Comic relief is provided by Ramsey and Holland as Ado Annie and Ali. Her squeaky voice and good-natured attitude contrasts nicely with his con-man charm.

And Vincent, as Aunt Eller, earns laughs with old chestnuts through pristine comic timing.

"Oklahoma!" is dance-heavy, highlighted by two highly physical numbers. The first act's "Kansas City" celebrates the growth of a big city in 1906, and the second-act opener, "The Farmer and the Cowman," translates through movement the divide between those who work with the soil and those who rope cattle.

And, yes, "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top" becomes a reality when one rolls on stage for the finale.

This "Oklahoma!" may not resemble the darker Broadway revival of 2002, but there's plenty of room today for a revival that lovingly, and wonderfully, presents one of America's greatest musicals as it was originally intended.

Oklahoma!

When: 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 4.

Where: Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd.

Tickets: $45 to $60.

Information: 310-372-4477 or http://www.civiclightopera.com.

Our rating: 3 1/2 STARS

Jeff Favre is a freelance entertainment writer based in North Hollywood.