5th Avenue Theater Responds to Controversy Over Musical "Oklahoma!"

Eric Ankrim as Curly McLain in Rodgers and  

Hammerstein's "Oklahoma!" at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Photo credit Curt

Doughty.

When Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre produced their new version of the Rodger and Hammerstein musical "Oklahoma!" they probably didn't expect to see a good old Oklahoma twister brewing on the horizon. In an official press release, Artistic Director David Armstrong is quoted as saying they wanted to "honor the great tradition while keeping the show fresh and exciting." But while innovation is important in art, it seems the particular types of innovations used have some audiences members calling out "Yippee-i-ay!" while others mount up to ride with a posse. Many of my fellow citizens of Tacoma have seen, or plan to see, the show, and have shared their opinions with me after reading my blog post. The musical runs from Feb. 3 - March 4.

Note: If you haven't already read my previous post (A Review of "Oklahoma!" at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre -- Oh, Not Such a "Beautiful Mornin'" ) please do. It has received plenty of attention and a variety of comments.

On Wednesday I received an e-mail and new press release from the 5th Avenue's Public Relations Manager Bridget Summers to let me know that because of the strong responses to the way race was handled in the production of "Oklahoma!" the theater plans to host four panel discussions and a town meeting to provide a forum for the public. The press release included the following:

"The choice to cast African American actor Kyle Scatliffe as the farm hand Jud Fry has been earning strong reactions.  While Scatliffe has been applauded for his nuanced portrayal of the character, there are some audiences who are concerned that having the only African American performer among the principals play the villain reinforces negative stereotypes about African American men." 

So, dear readers, you are officially invited to attend and participate.

Here are the dates and times, from the most recent press release:

Panel discussions will take place between the matinee performance and evening performance on February 18 and 25 at 5:00 PM and February 19 and 26 at 4:30 PM, and will feature Spectrum Dance Theater Artistic Director and Oklahoma! Choreographer Donald Byrd and The 5th Avenue’s David Armstrong.  A Town Hall Meeting featuring the executive team at The 5th Avenue Theatre and members of the creative team for Oklahoma! will take place on Monday, March 5, at 7:00 PM. 

WHERE:   The 5th Avenue Theatre (1308 5th Avenue, Seattle)

INFO:  For more information, please visit http://www.5thavenue.org/education/adult-programs#show-talk   

I close with a statement from Artistic Director David Armstrong:

“While we never intended to evoke such strong responses, I am in many ways heartened that this production has people talking about these important issues. The idea that musicals could, and should, tackle big themes and significant subjects largely began with Oklahoma! and I am not unhappy to see that legacy continue.
 

“We did believe that this casting would amplify the inherent drama in the story.  I’ve seen dozens of productions of Oklahoma!, but never before have I felt such empathy for Jud, and never before have I felt so sad when he dies.

“I never would have imaged that in 2012 a production of this almost 70-year-old musical could cause such a stir. I am a firm believer that great theater inspires dialogue, and I look forward to engaging our audiences on this difficult subject and hearing their reactions to this unorthodox casting choice.”

FREE EVENT: Community Day at the 5th Avenue Theatre Celebrates Opening of "Oklahoma"

When I hear the word "Oklahoma" the first thing I think of is the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical by that name, its theme song swelling up in my imagination until I feel like dancing "where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain," even though I'm still in Tacoma. I doubt if any other musical has ever seemed so quintessentially American  or remained so relevant and stirring for seven decades. Now America is about to discover it in a newer, even more relevant form. 

Eric Ankrim stars as Curly in the 5th Avenue Theatre's Production of "Oklahoma!"
photo by Curt Doughty     courtesy of the 5th Avenue Theatre

The nation's love affair with this musical began back in 1943 when it caused a sensation, viewed as groundbreaking in that it had a serious story instead of simply offering lighthearted entertainment. It was also the first Broadway musical choreographed by Agnes de Mille. At that time, few would have imagined that all these years later, Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre would bring back "Oklahoma!" with a fresh burst of  vitality.

It opens on Feb. 3, 2012 and runs until March 4, and is bound to captivate audiences all over again. To celebrate, the theater is holding a Community Day, on Saturday, Feb. 4, and YOU are invited. Learn to line dance, sing a song, take a tour of the theater. There will be fun activities for the whole family, and all are FREE. (see schedule below)

I spoke with Producing Director Bill Berry, who described this production as "a traditional version of  'Oklahoma!' with some surprises along the way."  Some of those surprises will be the result of a $60,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, that helped make it possible for the 5th Avenue to hire famed choreographer Donald Byrd, and Spectrum, his dance company.

I will be going to see the show, so watch for my review in an upcoming blog post. But in the meantime, you can learn all about it at the Community Day celebration. There is plenty to celebrate. How lucky we are, here in the Pacific Northwest, to have the 5th Avenue Theatre and all the talented people involved with it. The arts matter to all of us, enriching our lives. If you haven't already discovered the magical world of the 5th Avenue Theatre, the Community Day offers you the opportunity, and it won't cost you a dime.

COMMUNITY DAY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

10:00 AM

· Learn a song from Oklahoma! with Chris DiStefano, professional vocal director for The Oklahoma! Project. Best suited for adults and kids ages 6 and up.

· Tour the Historic 5th Avenue Theatre. Best suited for adults and kids ages 6 and up.

· Create your own bandana! Appropriate for ALL ages.

10:30 AM

· In honor of The 5th Avenue Theatre’s Chinese-inspired heritage, come watch the Lions Dance under The 5th Avenue Theatre Marquee! The Lieu Quan Lion Dance Team will perform a Cai Qing ceremony blessing the theatre, celebrating the Year of the Dragon, a magical creature prominently featured in the theatre’s design. Appropriate for ALL ages.

11:00 AM

· Show Talk: “The Downtown Historic Theatre District” – A panel discussion hosted by our own Managing Director Bernadine Griffin about our Downtown Historic Theater District and the impact of the arts on our community. Best suited for adults and kids ages 16 and up.

· At “Sing-a-Story” with Amber Flame, kids will get hands-on with music, learning new songs and playing with instruments. Appropriate for kids ages 1-5.

· Learn a Country Line Dance with our popular Broadway Fit instructor Troy Wageman. Best suited for adults and kids ages 12 and up.

· The first sneak peek of an original musical: Klondike!, a story about Gold Rush pioneers presented by our Adventure Music Theatre Touring Company. Best suited for adults and kids ages 6 and up.

· Tour the Historic 5th Avenue Theatre. Best suited for adults and kids ages 6 and up.

· Create your own bandana! Appropriate for ALL ages.

11:30 AM

· Tour the Historic 5th Avenue Theatre. Best suited for adults and kids ages 6 and up.

· Create your own bandana! Appropriate for ALL ages.

12:00 PM

· Show Talk: “The Music of Richard Rodgers” – A family friendly exploration of the music of Richard Rodgers with our beloved 5th Avenue Theatre Dramaturg Albert Evans. Best suited for adults and kids ages 11 and up.

· At “Sing-a-Story” with Amber Flame, kids will get hands-on with music, learning new songs and playing with instruments. Appropriate for kids ages 1-5.

· Create your own bandana! Appropriate for ALL ages.

12:45 PM

· The first sneak peek of an original musical: Klondike!, a story about Gold Rush pioneers presented by our Adventure Music Theatre Touring Company. Best suited for adults and kids ages 6 and up.

1:00 PM

· Show Talk: “Oklahoma! The Ground Breaking Musical” with local Richard Rodgers scholar Geoffrey Block, an award-winning history professor from the University of Puget Sound. Best suited for adults and kids ages 16 and up.

· Create your own bandana! Appropriate for ALL ages.

1:45 PM

· Learn a Country Line Dance with our popular Broadway Fit instructor Troy Wageman. Best suited for adults and kids ages 12 and up.

2:00 PM

· Show Talk: “Students of The Oklahoma! Project” – Hear this fascinating panel discussion featuring the students in The Oklahoma! Project – our exciting program that puts Seattle teens directly on The 5th Avenue stage. Best suited for adults and kids ages 6 and up.

· Create your own bandana! Appropriate for ALL ages.

2:30 PM

· Learn a song from Oklahoma! with Chris DiStefano, professional vocal director for The Oklahoma! Project. Best suited for adults and kids ages 6 and up

33:00 PM

· Show Talk: “The Music of Richard Rodgers” ” – A family friendly exploration of the music of Richard Rodgers with our beloved 5th Avenue Theatre Dramaturg Albert Evans. Best suited for adults and kids ages 11 and up.

· Learn a Country Line Dance with our popular Broadway Fit instructor Troy Wageman. Best suited for adults and kids ages 12 and up.

· Create your own bandana! Appropriate for ALL ages.

3:45 PM

· Learn a song from Oklahoma! with Chris DiStefano, professional vocal director for The Oklahoma! Project. Best suited for adults and kids ages 6 and up.

4:00 PM

· Create your own bandana! Appropriate for ALL ages.

4:15 PM

· Learn a Country Line Dance with our popular Broadway Fit instructor Troy Wageman. Best suited for adults and kids ages 12 and up.

5:00 PM

· Show Talk: “Our Great Indigenous Art Form: The Musical” – The 5th Avenue’s Executive Producer and Artistic Director David Armstrong leads a special Oklahoma! Panel Discussion with local musical theater experts and authors Larry Starr (University of Washington) and Geoffrey Block (University of Puget Sound), along with all-around musical scholar Albert Evans (The 5th Avenue Theatre Resident Dramaturg). Best suited for adults and kids ages 11 and up.