Welk's 'Oklohama!' is funny, upbeat

By: PAM KRAGEN - Staff Writer | Wednesday, January 30, 2008 1:54 PM PST ∞

Audiences turning out for the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical classic "Oklahoma!" usually know what to expect ---- great score, big dance numbers and fun characters. What they get at the Welk Resort Theatre this month is all that and something more ---- a lot of laughs, thanks to director/choreographer Ray Limon and the show's lively cast.

Set in the Oklahoma Territory at the turn of the 20th century, and written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein as America emerged from WWII into an era of economic prosperity, "Oklahoma!" bridles with optimism ---- a quality Limon captures in his fresh, upbeat staging.

Leading the cast are David S. Humphrey and Sarah Bermudez, who play the overconfident cowboy Curly and the stubborn farmgirl Laurey. Humphrey, last seen at the Welk in last year's Tony Bennett revue, has good looks, comic sensibilities and nice chemistry with Bermudez (Miss Dorothy in last fall's "Thoroughly Modern Millie"), who's sweet, lively and has a beautifully trained voice.

Their up-and-down romance is at the heart of this musical story about progress, as farms begin to carve up the countryside in the soon-to-be state of Oklahoma, and cowboys like Curly are forced to sell off their saddles and settle into farming life. "Oklahoma!" is known for its high-stepping dance numbers and dream ballet sequence, and Limon's known for his choreography, so it's a good match for the Welk stage. "Kansas City" is a fun Western stomp, and the dream sequence is beautifully danced by Amy Knoll-Gentry.

All of the show's production numbers are winners, but "The Farmer and the Cowman" is exceptional.

Among the standouts in this production are Walker Clark, as Jud Fry, the brooding farmhand who challenges Curly for Laurey's love. Clark is younger and better looking than most Juds, but he raises the ick factor with his dead-eye stares and creepy snickering. Also strong is Casey Garritano as Will Parker, the lighthearted, dimwitted cowboy who leads the "Kansas City" dance number. David Kirk Grant gets most of the show's laughs as Ali Hakim, the flirtatious peddler who ends up at the wrong end of the shotgun more than once. And Becky Saunders has the right, tough-as-nails edge as Laurey's independent Aunt Eller.

Kristen Brandt offers a different take on the character Ado Annie, the farmgirl who "can't say no" to beaus. Usually played as a wide-eyed innocent with a molasses-thick accent, Brandt's Ado Annie is more a screwball comedian in the style of Lucille Ball. Andrew Carnes and John Grzesiak co-star as the town judge and sheriff, respectively; Michael Dotson and Stephen Knoll-Gentry play cowboys; and Kate Roth plays Gertie, the farmgirl with the ear-splitting cackle.

The action unfolds on Gordon Richins' whimsical farm set, which is colorfully lit by Jennifer Edwards-Northover. Music director Justin Gray draws a big sound out of his four-person pit band. Patrick Hoyny designed the sound.

"Oklahoma"

When: 1:45 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays; 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; through April 6

Where: Welk Resort Theatre, Lawrence Welk Resort, 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive, Escondido

Tickets: $58-$63, includes buffet lunch or dinner; $44-$47, show only

Info: (760) 749-3448

Web: www.welktheatresandiego.com