Rating: 
Summary: Incredible!
Review: The 1999 London production of "Oklahoma!", directed by Trevor Nunn with choreography by Susan Stroman, was the first major departure ever from the original Joshua Logan-Agnes De Mille production of 1943. It was a gamble that paid off big, for the performance recorded for posterity on this DVD is absolutely brilliant--funny, riveting, and deeply poignant. The dancing is astonishing, and the beloved Rodgers & Hammerstein songs have never sounded so good. Nunn and Stroman know how to stage each number for maximum dramatic effect, so that the songs come across less as songs than as dramatic monologues in music--which is, of course, exactly what Rodgers & Hammerstein wanted.
The cast of this version is so wonderful that it is impossible to talk about them in anything but superlatives. (I might make a slight, regretful exception for Vicki Simon as Ado Annie, who is merely very good whereas everyone else is spectacular.) As Will Parker, Jimmy Johnston--an endearing if improbable cross between Will Rogers, Russ Tamblyn and Jack Black--barrels through his big number, "Kansas City," with infectious glee and astounding athleticism, including a dandy exhibition of trick roping. Some reviewers have pointed out that Peter Polycarpou's accent as Ali Hakim is shaky, but there's no quibbling with his singing or his comic timing; in appearance and talent, he reminds me more than a little of Tony Shalhoub. Maureen Lipman is a perfect Aunt Eller, tough as an old birch tree, plain-spoken and drily witty as she dispenses tough love to the residents of Claremore, Okla. Josefina Gabrielle is an earthier Laurey than we're used to, but she's a good singer and an exquisite dancer, and she makes Laurey's confused longings as painful as a punch in the gut.
The real acting honors, however, must be divided between the romantic rivals--Hugh Jackman as Curly and Shuler Hensley as Jud. This production launched Jackman's international career, and no wonder--from the first few bars of "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning," you can't take your eyes off him. He is visually perfect as Curly, he dances well and sings beautifully, and--above all--he exudes charisma from every pore. Hensley combines a rich, operatic baritone with a brooding, menacing stage presence; he makes Jud a classic monster, evoking both pity and terror. His solo number, detailing both his pitiful loneliness and his doomed love for Laurey, is one of the most riveting pieces of dramatic singing I've ever seen or heard.
Rating:
Summary: The best production you will EVER see!
Review: There are no words to express how intensely WONDERFUL this production is. Even if you don't like Oklahoma, watch it. Because Trevor Nunn's full, earthy rethinking is full of depth and life and is NOT the superficial fluff previous productions of Oklahoma have presented.Ever role is perfectly cast. Hugh Jackman is the single greatest thing to happen to Hollywood in a long time, and it's so obvious in this performance. Simply put, he's perfect. Every nuance, every expression, every word evoke his character. He's one of the most natural actors I've ever watched. Josefina Gabrielle's wonderfully spunky, real (and brunette!) Laurey is a perfect match for him. Their relationship is clearly REAL--this is no throwaway, glazed-over couple. They aggravate each other, but you can see the hurt when one of them goes too far. A good deal of the troubles between them are inflicted by themselves, which is how real relationships work. Vicki Simon and Jimmy Johnson provide a perfect balance for the secondary couple of Ado Annie and Will Parker. Maureen Lipman's's Aunt Eller is just a JOY to watch. Toughened but heartfelt, every delivery is down-to-earth believeable. Peter Polycarpou's peddler's accent tends to dance much more around a New York accent, but he's wonderfully fun, so it's easy to overlook. Then comes Shuler Hensley, who took the Olivier Award along with the Broadway Triple Crown (Tony, Outer Critics Circle, and Drama Desk) for his performance as Judd Fry. And let me tell you, he deserves it. Judd is transformed from a one-dimensional sex beast kind of character, to a depthful, hurt man who is so clearly seen and you really wish you could help, but you would never want to be alone in a room with him. Shuler Hensley is going to go on to GREAT things. Susan Stroman's choreography is wonderfully inventive and entertaining without LOOKING too difficult--it's easy to believe normal people could've danced like this. It's right at home in the plains of Oklahoma. All in all, this is a fresh rethinking of THE classic American musical. And you will NEVER want to see another production.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely fantastic
Review: This was a fantastic production of the musical. It definitely brought more depth of plot and character to the musical than did the movie version. The depth of character was brought out by the wondeful acting and directing, the plot via the character development and inclusion of scenes not in the movie. The singing was great; the dancing was great, although I do have to admit that I prefer the dancing in the movie, especially in the Kansas City dance. I was floored with how well Hugh Jackman can act, sing and dance, only having seen him previously as Wolverine in X-Men & X-Men 2. I particularly liked Ado Annie and Will. They were much more interesting in this production than in the movie. I didn't like the shots of the audience applauding in between scenes. I prefer to keep my attention on stage and not on the audience. I also thought that the accent of Ali Hakim was a little weak, but that's pretty minor.
Rating: 
Summary: Like watching a train crash
Review: This was horrible. The only people that could act were Hugh Jackman (just barely though) and Shuler Hensley (he was the only great actor). Ali Hakim, The persian peddler, did not talk like he was persian at all, Gerties laugh sounded like a car that wouldn't start(I did a much better laugh than that...), and the Dream Ballet was all wrong. I have to say, my middle schools performance of this american classic outdid this performance. I only started watching at the beggining of the dream ballet, and I saw every little flaw, along with the bigger ones, like dream Laurey and Curly are never played by the actual Curly and Laurey.
I have to say, I almost cried watching this performance.
Any middle school could do better than this.
Rating:
Summary: Acting & Directing Superior to Original
Review: Trevor Nunn's direction of OKLAHOMA has really transformed my opinion of this musical. The rising conflict between Curly, Laurie & Jud has more nuances and pathos here than in the original. Maureen Lipman has fabulous comic-timing as the Aunt and Hugh Jackman creates a multi-layered Curly. I think Laurie is splendidly outfitted in overalls - and she and Curly create a wonderfully playful and quick-witted relationship (which unfortunately in the original film seems soley founded on appearances - i.e. the cutest guy & girl in town). If you found the characterizations of the original film a bit superficial and fluff-o-lite, you may enjoy this more thought-provoking version with far superior directing and acting, which actually touches upon the innate conflict between cowboys and farmers, and the changing face of the American landscape.
Rating:
Summary: Thumbs up from a 4th generation Okie
Review: We saw this version for the first time on PBS. My husband--who HATES musicals--thoroughly enjoyed this production along with me. The only accent I found fault with was Ali Hakim's (sometimes it sounded like he was from Brooklyn, and other times from Eastern Europe!) but I've always wondered whether he wasn't supposed to come across as a fake anyway. Well, there was the occasional comment by an "extra" that wasn't convincingly Oklahoman. But the major stars did a fine job. I was impressed. It's usually ludicrous when folks from the UK or Oz try to sound American or Oklahoman. My favorite part was the duet between Curly and Laurey, "People Will Say We're in Love." I've never seen that song done that way before--as a continuation of the merciless sparring and teasing that Curly and Laurey begin the show with. I cracked up when Curly interrupted the lyric about his "charm" with an expectoration! Gertie's laugh was truly the most hideous and repulsive Gertie-laugh that I've ever heard. (Was it electronically enhanced??) You do end up feeling sorry for the peddler man. I've seen Oklahoma! three times in an outdoor setting, and several other times indoors. I would have preferred to see the outdoor scenes shot outdoors, but I understand they were working within the confines of an indoor stage. The part of Oklahoma that the story is set in (the Claremore area) is part of an area that has been designated by the tourism people as "Green Country", and so it is. It would have been OK if they had shot the outdoor scenes outside, even in England. I'm not discarding my 1955 version, but I do plan to add this version to my library.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointed...
Review: with DVD edition. There is no closed caption. I don't understand because when I saw it on PBS there was closed captioning. So, for those with hearing impairment, be warned. Otherwise, I enjoyed the production: especially Hugh Jackman as Curly.
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