Oklahoma! at the Ahmanson Theatre Updates a Classic Musical for a Modern Age

The Los Angeles premiere of a revised Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! might have the original creators rolling in their graves, but they are rolling around with sly smiles.

By John Lavitt

Hollywood, CA (The Hollywood Times) 09-17-2022

Directed by Daniel Fish at the Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre, the North American tour of Oklahoma! is a definite updating of a classic play for a modern age. Playing through October 16, the new version is reimagined for the 21st century with a mixed-race cast that includes a transwoman, who is the show’s highlight with a powerful performance.

Winning the Tony Award^® for Best Revival of a Musical, it is hard to argue against the reality that the reimagined version of Oklahoma! is provocative and probing. Once a look at the frontier life that shaped the contours of the United States, today’s version is like a moody school dance in a cafeteria decorated with streamers in a hick town. In some ways, the re-interpretation is a bold attempt at forging new ground, but it also feels smaller than expected.

Beyond Sis, a trans woman, as Ado Annie Carnes, the highlight in an up and down cast is Sean Grandillo as Curly McLain. From the endless frontier sensibility in the first bars of “Oh What A Beautiful Morning” to the playful jousting of “The Surrey with the Fringe on Top,” Sean’s voice captures the best of the classic musical. His presence brings a degree of fun to the stage that feels lacking when he is gone.

Featuring music by Richard Rodgers and a book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, Oklahoma! is based on the play Green Grow the Lilacs by Lynn Riggs.  The revival’s creative team includes new choreography by John Heginbotham, music direction by Andy Collopy, and traditional costume design by Terese Wadden. The costumes are updated with a modern feel.

First presented at Bard SummerScape, followed by an engagement at St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn, the flexibility of this production of Oklahoma! allows for each director to bring their flair to the production. At the Ahmanson Theatre, Sis as Ado Annie Carnes is the new highlight of the show. Indeed, this innovative casting is Daniel Fish’s best choice.

A trans woman, Sis brings energy and humor to their role with a flair that lights up the production when they take center stage. Indeed, no other actor manages to balance emotion and humor as Sis does in their desperate search for lasting love. As opposed to their performance, much of the rest of the show feels like a posture of emotion as opposed to a touching reality that reaches the shore of the viewer’s heart. There is something remote about the production. Still, the highlights are impressive, and the thematic updating is undeniable.

Photos by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade