Oklahoma!

Oklahoma! at the Rocklin Community Theatre, will keep you smiling and your feet tapping throughout this terrific production. Byron Roope plays Curly, the cowman who meets a farm girl one day and can’t get her out of his mind. Well-built and handsome, Roope struts and charms in every appearance on stage as he sings Oh What a Beautiful Mornin’, The Surrey with the Fringe on Top, and Oklahoma!. Girls and women, you don’t want to miss his manly performance. Byron Roope is unforgettable as he conveys his love of the land in a voice strong and alive and yet at turns so tender you can see the golden waving wheat he sees and loves.

Alyssa Ray, as Laurey, the beautiful bashful farm girl of Curly’s dreams, sings, People Will Say We’re In Love, sweetly and exquisitely. Her clear, gorgeous voice carries Laurey’s playful, alluring intoxication with romance. Not only an accomplished vocalist, Alyssa dons toe shoes during the dream sequence and performs an arabesque during the graceful ballet.

Cassie March, as Ado Annie, a flirt who likes to be kissed, will totally enchant you as she sings I Can’t Say No. Spritely and impish, Cassie brings just the right mix to a coquette who enjoys the boys. Her voice delights us, along with the Persian peddler, Ali Hakim, played by Ryan Adame. Once again (Harold Hill in The Music Man) Ryan has completely become his character, this time the scared suitor at the point of a gun forced to marry Ado Annie by her father. Ryan Adame’s eyes sliding to one side in his head, his body language, his detailed hand gestures, all were hilarious, and his bowler hat and tight belted suit perfect. The audience laughed every time he came on stage anticipating his next subtle yet outrageous action. Adame is not just a funny face. He sings with full voice, precise and expressive and dances with digital timing.

Mary Young, as Aunt Eller, straightens out those cowmen. She strides across the stage singing and makes the youngins’ listen-up. Dynamic Nicky Garcia, as Will Parker, energetically sings and dances, determined to win his Ado Annie back from the Persian peddler. Victoria Sanders, irritates everyone with her annoying giggles. Takes talent to giggle so.

Michael Wright, as Jud, plays a difficult part superbly --the maladjusted farm hand obsessed with Laurey. Bearing his anguish in Lonely Room, Wright brings Jud’s pain to life. Michael Wright, like all the vocalists in this production, gives a strong delivery, pausing at the right places to evoke empathy for Jud, the outsider, alone and shunned. Michael’s voice--a velvet trombone as he glares menacingly from under his brows.

Just a few feet away from the audience in this theatre space, big cowboys and farmers lunge at and throw each other through the air and to the ground in fight scenes at once meaty and off-balancing in just the right way. Hats off to dancers, Byron Roope, Nicky Garcia, Michael Wright, Mark Joyner, Warren Cain Sr., Colby Harper, and Zack Garza, and especially choreographer, Gino Platina.

Behind the scenes, a very talented group of people bring Oklahoma to life in all its exciting rhythm: Peter Kagstrom, conductor and his orchestra; Richanne Roope, vocal director; Christian Savage, sound designer (never too loud, and every word clear); and last, but most important, Brent Hull, director. With great craftsmanship, Brent recreates Rogers and Hammerstein’s bounding musical on stage at the Rocklin Community Theatre. Talented local actors and artists take us to Oklahoma!

Reviewed by Letha Dawson, 3/28/14