The new Broadway production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! is, from start to finish, a gorgeous rendition. This is a musical for all time, one of the very greats, with a hit song every ten minutes. And this production outdoes all others I've seen in its integration of all the elements, particularly the dance numbers by Susan Stroman -- a perfect blend of music and movement. All the cast members can really sing -- I somehow like that in a musical. Patrick Wilson is a strong Curly, Justin Bohon as Will Parker and Josefina Gabrielle as Laurey are first rate dancers as well as singers, Jessica Boevers is a charming Ado Annie, and Shuler Hensley just about steals the show as the lumbering Jud. The ensemble is top-level Broadway. Anthony Ward's simple but profound set, with its weather changes of mood reflected in the clouds, David Hersey's lighting, and the overall direction by Trevor Nunn, who brings new insight into the dark areas of the piece, all combine to make this three-hour show feel like half an hour. It's a splendid musical, more fully realized than ever.
