Y’all “Cain’t Say No” to Torbay Theatre’s Oklahoma!
In 1943, Oklahoma! changed Broadway and revolutionised the American musical forever. Now, it is coming to you in Torbay.
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! is the story of a small town in 1907 Oklahoma Territory. Confident Curly and headstrong Laurey are too stubborn to admit their love for each other. When Laurey accepts an invitation from the intimidating farmhand Jud, to spite Curly, tensions build and confrontations arise. With another love triangle between the boy-crazy and gullible Ado Annie, rope-spinning Will Parker, and the smooth-talking travelling salesman Ali Hakim, comedy and drama abound in this Broadway classic. And, of course, there is always that tension between the Farmer and the Cowman who, after all, “should be friends”.
Many will remember Torbay Theatre’s trilogy of Gilbert and Sullivan operas (Pirates of Penzance 2014, The Mikado 2015, and The Gondoliers 2016), and we have brought together the same team for this production of Oklahoma! Directed by Graham and Jacqué Mandeno, with talented, up-and-coming choreographer Grace Coffman, the show promises to be a visual spectacle. The original music composed by Richard Rodgers has been completely rearranged for Bluegrass-style band by American composer and professor of music, Amy Wooley, and will be played by a band brought together by musical director and rehearsal pianist, Roz Langdon, and conducted by Graham Mandeno.
The show is so full of classic singalong songs that you’ll be humming them right into 2021. Opening with “Oh, what a beautiful mornin’” and closing with the rousing title anthem “Oklahoma”, the filling of the sandwich is packed with such well-known numbers as “Surrey with the fringe on the top”, “Kansas City”, “People will say we’re in love”, “I cain’t say no”, and many more.
Back from leading roles in our Gilbert & Sullivans, we have Campbell Ellison as Curly, Christina Ellison (née McDonald) as Laurey, Michelle Pollard as Aunt Eller, and Dragan Atanasov as Ali Hakim. Completing the cast of principals, we have Samuel Gibson and Rebecca Diaz as Will Parker and Ado Annie, and Gavin Wells as Jud Fry.
Performances run from 10 to 19 December, with matinées on Sunday 13th and Saturday 19th.
Tickets are on sale now, so buy yours now and avoid disappointment!