OKLAHOMA! Previews

YvanEhtNioj Profile Photo
YvanEhtNioj
#125OKLAHOMA! Previews
Posted: 3/21/19 at 11:41pm

I knew literally nothing about the Oklahoma before. I just left and I'm blown away, emotional, and confused all at the same time.

Had it not been for this new take on the show, I don't think I would've liked it. The songs are not my thing, but what kept me so engaged was wondering "what are they going to do next..?" The lighting and sounds are something special - the moments when the lights go dim and reflect from the fringe hangings are so beautiful.

Sadly I don't think I've been to a Broadway show where there were SO MANY people that left at intermission. I counted 4 empty seats at the start of the show, and at least 15 at the start of Act 2.

The woman next to me was at least 70, and kept bi***ing the entire show. Loudly. When I was in line for chili, there were a gaggle of older people behind me that were saying things like "they've ruined a classic. Its horrible. I hate it". I said something like "some shows need new life to be relevant for a new generation" and a woman snapped back with "THEN MAKE A NEW SHOW".

I was very, very, VERY confused by the ending. Overall, I enjoyed it. It's new, fresh, and dark.


Miss Keisha? Miss Keisha? Miss Keishhhaaaa?

getupngo Profile Photo
getupngo
#126OKLAHOMA! Previews
Posted: 3/21/19 at 11:42pm

Saw this with yvanehtnioj tonight... umm... interesting... the country western touches in the music were gorgeous. But the dream ballet- what in the f—k. it does nothing to advance the story, since they removed the premonition she has. It’s basically 10 minutes of someone modern dancing (quite amazingly) across the stage. And the ending... even more of a what the f—-k. The special effect is SUPER impressive and jarring... but just what the hell is going on after? So many questions...

That being said, I probably won’t see it again or pay full price, but I liked it. We did notice a LOT of people left at intermission and didn’t come back. Damon was the standout for me. That voice. Swoon.

And if anyone wants to try the loser lottery code to see if it works for you it’s: OKLOTALT
They were great seats Row E, almost center

YvanEhtNioj Profile Photo
YvanEhtNioj
#127OKLAHOMA! Previews
Posted: 3/21/19 at 11:43pm

OH! tonight was the first time I met someone from broadway world! Shout out to getupngo for being suck an amazing partner tonight


Miss Keisha? Miss Keisha? Miss Keishhhaaaa?

getupngo Profile Photo
getupngo
#128OKLAHOMA! Previews
Posted: 3/21/19 at 11:47pm

YvanEhtNioj said: "OH! tonight was the first time I met someone from broadway world! Shout out to getupngo for being suck an amazing partner tonight "

:) :) :) hadestown next!

getupngo Profile Photo
getupngo
#129OKLAHOMA! Previews
Posted: 3/21/19 at 11:47pm

Also, we didn’t get out til 10:55. It’s running a tad long.

ethan231h Profile Photo
ethan231h
#130OKLAHOMA! Previews
Posted: 3/21/19 at 11:48pm

I think the production needs to do a better job at marketing themselves. This is a new, different, darker Oklahoma! Clearly people do not realize that until the show starts......and then they hate it- as they were expecting to see Oklahoma! as they know it.

ChrisBroad Profile Photo
ChrisBroad
#131OKLAHOMA! Previews
Posted: 3/22/19 at 12:00am

Can anyone who has seen it comment on the seating? Usually I find nearly every seat in Circle in the Square to be good.  But there's often a section that has a tree or something in front of it for a while...  I appreciate any recs!

Do the floor picnic tables look worth springing for?

YvanEhtNioj Profile Photo
YvanEhtNioj
#132OKLAHOMA! Previews
Posted: 3/22/19 at 12:12am

ChrisBroad said: "Can anyone who has seen it comment on the seating? Usually I find nearly every seat in Circle in the Square to be good. But there's often a section that has a tree or something in front of it for a while... I appreciate any recs!

Do the floor picnic tables look worth springing for?
"

I wouldn't. There are some really dope projections, so I would recommend anywhere in the middle section looking head-on. 


Miss Keisha? Miss Keisha? Miss Keishhhaaaa?

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BenElliott
#133OKLAHOMA! Previews
Posted: 3/22/19 at 12:12am

I sat at the tables at St. Ann's and it was an amazing experience. I think with the more naturalistic approach in this production it's probably best to sit closer.

OlBlueEyes Profile Photo
OlBlueEyes
#134OKLAHOMA! Previews
Posted: 3/22/19 at 1:40am

I'm sorry to read about this. I'm sure no one believes that this is going to find a mass audience, although Brantley and Green treated it with respect.

Seems like they went a little farther than they should have gone.

I said somewhere back there there Oklahoma had become my least favorite of the major R&H. Pore Judd finds ridicule instead of sympathy, the Judd song is awful, making sport of Judd right after his death is tasteless and Curley and Laurie have no substance to them.

Maybe Judd could have discovered right before the wedding that Curley and Aunt Eller had been having an affair, and Judd had saved Laurie from from a marriage of disgrace, and while Curley rode off on his horse, Judd and Laurie walked over to sing the joyous final anthem and Laurie gave a coy little smile to Judd that indicated just maybe.

No, not buyin' that?

I wonder if Kristin and Kelli will be invited.

Rainah
#135OKLAHOMA! Previews
Posted: 3/22/19 at 1:47am

ethan231h said: "I think the production needs to do a better job at marketing themselves. This is a new, different, darker Oklahoma! Clearlypeople do not realize that until the show starts......and then they hate it- as they were expecting to see Oklahoma! astheyknow it."

The marketing is so bad. There's just... Not a ton of it. A minimalistic and stark playbill and a video of the stars standing moodily around a stable. I genuinely googled to see if the horse was in the show too.

I am the target market for this - zero interest in a traditional Oklahoma! but I enjoy darker and edgier stuff. But I didn't know that until reading the comments here and I'm all booked up for my trip. Hopefully they extend.

getupngo Profile Photo
getupngo
#136OKLAHOMA! Previews
Posted: 3/22/19 at 9:23am

ethan231h said: "I think the production needs to do a better job at marketing themselves. This is a new, different, darker Oklahoma! Clearlypeople do not realize that until the show starts......and then they hate it- as they were expecting to see Oklahoma! astheyknow it."

100%. Maybe say something like “Oklahoma as you’ve never seen it before!”

VotePeron Profile Photo
VotePeron
#137OKLAHOMA! Previews
Posted: 3/22/19 at 9:44am

getupngo said: "ethan231h said: "I think the production needs to do a better job at marketing themselves. This is a new, different, darker Oklahoma! Clearlypeople do not realize that until the show starts......and then they hate it- as they were expecting to see Oklahoma! astheyknow it."

100%. Maybe say something like “Oklahoma as you’ve never seen it before!”
"

I saw the second preview at St. Ann's, knowing nothing about this production, but being a fan of the original. I still loved it. It's a revival of Oklahoma!...a warning notice isn't necessary. The key art for the show is incredibly darker than any previous productions, as well as all imagery on their site.

It's selling very well, so I don't think there's going to be much need for a marketing update. It will win a slew of awards, get rave reviews, and have excellent word of mouth. If their only downside is that older audiences aren't willing to accept this new production, that's not their problem.

Adding a tagline isn't necessary and waters down the show. 

OKLAHOMA! Previews

CT2NYC Profile Photo
CT2NYC
#138OKLAHOMA! Previews
Posted: 3/22/19 at 9:57am

The marketing is perfectly fine, in my opinion. The TV commercial that's running in heavy rotation says, "reinvented for the 21st century." Do you want them to discourage ticket sales by overexplaining the show? It's already been produced and reviewed, so, if someone doesn't take the time to do a little research, then that's on them. Also, there's a very descriptive warning on the Telecharge website. Let the buyer beware.

getupngo Profile Photo
getupngo
#139OKLAHOMA! Previews
Posted: 3/22/19 at 10:06am

CT2NYC said: "The marketing is perfectly fine, in my opinion. The TV commercial that's running in heavy rotation says, "reinvented for the 21st century." Do you want them to discourage ticket sales by overexplaining the show? It's already been produced and reviewed, so, if someone doesn't take the time to do a little research, then that's on them. Also, there's a very descriptive warning on the Telecharge website. Let the buyer beware."

That’s fair. That tag line should be enough of a clue.

YvanEhtNioj Profile Photo
YvanEhtNioj
#140OKLAHOMA! Previews
Posted: 3/22/19 at 10:32am

Without the dark twist on the storytelling, wouldn't the show just be...kind of cheesy? 


Miss Keisha? Miss Keisha? Miss Keishhhaaaa?

Hum a tune Profile Photo
Hum a tune
#141OKLAHOMA! Previews
Posted: 3/22/19 at 5:34pm

I wouldn't. There are some really dope projections, so I would recommend anywhere in the middle section looking head-on."

By head on, do you mean in the curve or on the straight sides?

 

YvanEhtNioj Profile Photo
YvanEhtNioj
#142OKLAHOMA! Previews
Posted: 3/22/19 at 6:20pm

Hum a tune said: 

By head on, do you mean in the curve or on the straight sides?

"

The curve! 


Miss Keisha? Miss Keisha? Miss Keishhhaaaa?

bk
#143OKLAHOMA! Previews
Posted: 3/22/19 at 7:53pm

YvanEhtNioj said: "Without the dark twist on the storytelling, wouldn't the show just be...kind of cheesy?"

Anything is cheesy if done cheesily.  If done with intelligence, style, class, and respect for the material as written, no, it would be anything BUT cheesy.  Was the revival of South Pacific cheesy?  Was the Hytner revival of Carousel cheesy?  Was the Lou Diamond Philips or more recent revival of The King and I cheesy?  

 

Updated On: 3/23/19 at 07:53 PM

kdogg36 Profile Photo
kdogg36
#144OKLAHOMA! Previews
Posted: 3/23/19 at 8:40am

bk said: "Was the Trevor Nunn revival of Carousel cheesy?"

Do you mean Nicholas Hytner?

I think it's the job of the estates to make sure that high-profile productions appropriately respect the creators' intentions, and it's clear what they've decided in this case. It's not something I'm concerned about as an audience member. I think traditional productions can be great, and so can new takes on older material.

Updated On: 3/23/19 at 08:40 AM

bk
#145OKLAHOMA! Previews
Posted: 3/23/19 at 2:52pm

kdogg36 said: "bk said: "Was the Trevor Nunn revival of Carousel cheesy?"

Do you mean Nicholas Hytner?

I think it's the job of theestatesto make sure that high-profile productions appropriately respect the creators'intentions, and it's clear what they've decided in this case. It's not something I'm concerned about as an audience member. I think traditional productions can be great, and so can new takes on older material.
"

Yes, late night posting is always a gamble :)  Fixed.

 

DrTom2
#146OKLAHOMA! Previews
Posted: 3/24/19 at 9:02am

I'm hoping to see this when I'm in New York next month.

Could someone post spoilers about the gunshots, please? I know they're loud and they're blanks.

I get edgy when guns are waved randomly around, particularly towards the audience and I imagine it's unavoidable in the round. Plus, I get the impression they've added a few extras for this darker version, so having seen Oklahoma! before won't even help.

So, if anyone knows when and where, that would really help me to relax during the show.

kellyiswicked
#147OKLAHOMA! Previews
Posted: 3/24/19 at 9:12am

DrTom2 said: "I'm hoping to see this when I'm in New York next month.

Could someone post spoilers about the gunshots, please? I know they're loud and they're blanks.

I get edgy when guns are waved randomly around, particularly towards the audience and I imagine it's unavoidable in the round. Plus, I get the impression they've added a few extras for this darkerversion, so having seen Oklahoma! before won't even help.

So, if anyone knows when and where, that would really help me to relax during the show.
"

Funnily enough, I was coming to this board to ask the exact same question. I have seen Oklahoma! many times, but when the loudness of the gun fire is commented upon, it makes me hesitant to go without knowing what to expect.

I'd rather not repeat that time I went to Assassins and ONLY thought of the implications when I was already in my seat. Enjoyed the show, but I was nervous the whole time.

Blockhead24 Profile Photo
Blockhead24
#148OKLAHOMA! Previews
Posted: 3/24/19 at 10:16am

 
Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

There are 3 gunshots in the show.Two in the smokehouse scene and one at the end during the wedding reception.

DrTom2 said: "I'm hoping to see this when I'm in New York next month.

Could someone post spoilers about the gunshots, please? I know they're loud and they're blanks.

I get edgy when guns are waved randomly around, particularly towards the audience and I imagine it's unavoidable in the round. Plus, I get the impression they've added a few extras for this darkerversion, so having seen Oklahoma! before won't even help.

So, if anyone knows when and where, that would really help me to relax during the show.
"

 

jonah3500
#149OKLAHOMA! Previews
Posted: 3/24/19 at 10:30am

 
Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

There’s also one during the farmer and the cowboy. Watch Mary Testa since she is the one who takes out the gun and fires it.

 

Blockhead24 said: "

 
Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content
There are 3 gunshots in the show.Two in the smokehouse scene and one at the end during the wedding reception.

 

 

DrTom2 said: "I'm hoping to see this when I'm in New York next month.

Could someone post spoilers about the gunshots, please? I know they're loud and they're blanks.

I get edgy when guns are waved randomly around, particularly towards the audience and I imagine it's unavoidable in the round. Plus, I get the impression they've added a few extras for this darkerversion, so having seen Oklahoma! before won't even help.

So, if anyone knows when and where, that would really help me to relax during the show.
"
"