Site Map Terms of Use Privacy Policy Contact Us Submit News The AP in the News Advisory Board About Us Advertise
September 9, 2010  9:17 PM



















Katy Zazzera
Simply Spotlight: Local NJ Theater
By Katy Zazzera
10/5/2008

You’re Doin’ Fine Oklahoma!

The 1947 Rodgers and Hammerstein classic Oklahoma! has been brought back to life on the stage at the Paper Mill Playhouse. A delightful mix of drama and humor, this is one show you won’t want to miss.

Oklahoma! is the heartwarming story of Laurey and Curly, two young people who fall in love on the frontier. There are many fun-loving, memorable characters including Ado Annie who "Cain’t Say No" and Will Parker who has just gotten back from "Kansas City."

Even though this show has been around for over 60 years, the director, James Brennan, and choreographer, Peggy Hickley, give it a fresh edge. Brennan has made transitions of emotion from joking around at the hoe down to utter terror with an unexpected wedding guest completely flawless. Hickley does a superb job of creating exciting dance numbers, especially in "The Farmer and the Cowman" and the dream sequence. Anthony Ward’s set is fantastic and uses the space well.

Adam Monley has a beautiful voice and brings Curly’s ruggedness onto the stage. He opens the show with "Oh What A Beautiful Mornin’" making the audience crave more. He is able to make the audience laugh to tears in his duet with Jud, "Poor Jud Is Daid." Brynn O’Malley displays the inner-conflicts of Laurey with an organic performance. She delivers Laurey’s spunk and dry humor perfectly. Her pleasant voice is especially noticeable in her duet with Curly, "People Will Say We’re in Love."

While the leads are wonderful, it is the supporting cast that steals the show. Megan Sikora’s Ado Annie is absolutely hysterical. Her energy is incredible, she lights up the room every time she is on stage. Andrew Varela puts a sympathetic light on Jud Fry that is refreshing. His rendition of "Lonely Room" is one of the highlights of the show. Brian Sears brings fun-loving Will Parker to life with his great energy. Jonathan Harker’s Ali Hakim is brilliant. He delivers every line just as it was meant to be said.

Overall, for a night of tears, laughter, and family fun, Oklahoma! is sure to be a hit.

Performances at the Paper Mill Playhouse run through October 10. For tickets/more information, call 973-376-4343 or go to www.PaperMill.org.



Katy Zazzera is currently a senior at Summit High School. She is very active in the Drama Club and has been a part of all 7 productions thus far as well as the Concert and Chamber Choirs. She is also a competitor on the Forensics Team. Katy welcomes your emails at katy.zazzera@thealternativepress.com
Bookmark and Share
Prior Simply Spotlight: Local NJ Theater Columns
5/4/2009
Around the World in 3 Hours

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) at Drew University kicks off ....
Continue

4/21/2009
1776: An American Celebration

At a time when the current economic situation has everyone in the slumps, Papermill Playhou....
Continue

1/21/2009
The Importance of Seeing Earnest

Paper Mill’s production The Importance of Being Earnest is the highlight of the season. An outstandin....
Continue

11/25/2008
High School Musical Bops to the Top!

The Disney Channel hit, High School Musical is currently being performed at the Paper Mill Playhouse ....
Continue

8/7/2010
Touring the Provinces

Exciting summer theatre continues throughout our area and up and down the east coast. Years ago, when New York theatres were dark for the summer, actors and audiences, escaping the summer heat (pre-air conditio....
Continue

7/16/2010
Summer Stage

Come summertime there is usually a lull in the local theatre scene. Regional theatre companies are dark as they gear up for their fall seasons and Broadway is on minimum, with theatres populated with mega hit l....
Continue

5/9/2010
Continental Divide: Mahida’s Extra Key to Heaven

The New Jersey premiere of a great new play has opened at the Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey entitled Mahida’s Extra Key To Heaven by Russell Davis. Artistic Director John Pietrow....
Continue

3/18/2010
All About We: An Audience with Dame Edna and Michael Feinstein

Henry Miller’s Theatre is the place to be for an audience with Australia’s most glamorous export, Dame Edna Everage. Dame Edna is back with a vengeance along with that stellar interpreter of the Great ....
Continue

3/8/2010
Get Lost in Yonkers

While one may not want to be Lost in Yonkers with Neil Simon’s dour grandmother from his 1991 Pulitzer Prize winning play, you will want to get lost in the Paper Mill Playhou....
Continue

12/22/2009
A Twelfth Night Delight

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s Artistic Director Bonnie J. Monte has directed its newest production, Shakespeare’s comedy romp, Twelfth Nigh Continue

View Simply Spotlight: Local NJ Theater Archives »



  Add to Google

Alternative Press RSS Feeds





  Environmentally Friendly ©2010 The Alternative Press, LLC       |       info@TheAlternativePress.com

Daily hyperlocal online news, information, local sports, events, videos, business listings, real estate listings, classifieds, and freecycling, for Berkeley Heights, Chatham Borough, Chatham Township, Livingston, Madison, Millburn, New Providence, Short Hills, Summit and Westfield in Essex, Morris and Union Counties, New Jersey.
Site design by Lunarshine