Walter A. Webster brought a new twist to his production of “Oklahoma!” shown at the Levoy Theatre in Millville, New Jersey from February 9-18. Director Walter A. Webster exposed the true meaning of this classic play. With his own rustic twist, he was to capture the need for change, love, and true happiness with the help of the emotional cast who lived out his vision.
Because the Levoy Theatre was originally built to present silent films in the early 1900’s, it has an “old-timey” atmosphere that complemented the rural charm of the musical.
This historic play usually takes on quaint and elegant features. It is usually very prestigious. However, Webster had a different idea.
“For one, you have to have a vision,” stated Webster, the director of the production. “Rustic,” as he refers to it; that was his vision. Being that he put on this production 6 times previously, he wanted to change it up.
This specific production showed off a more emotional side to the play. As opposed to the stereotypical “Oklahoma!” production, each actor gave their characters individuality. It was as if every single character had their own story. Watching, viewers felt as if they were right there in early 1940’s on Aunt Eller’s farm, interacting with each western cowboy and girl.
Webster included small details in his production that stood out from the ordinary. For example, the facility gained the fire marshal’s approval to use a real gun with blanks during a specific scene. The sound rung throughout the theatre, shocking the entire audience as its smoke filled the air.
Elizabeth Rzasa, current music department teaching assistant and advisor at Mercer County Community College, kept the crowd enticed with every dramatic event her character Laurey Williams went through. The audience lived every event vicariously through the acting.
Every expression tugged at tense hearts as Laurey was yanked around by the abusive character Jud. We all chuckled a little as Mr. Carnes muttered under his breath trying to free himself of wedding Ado Annie. Each character thrown to the ground hit an unsettling feeling within the entire audience. Emotions were shared amongst the crowd with this production.
Actor Rocco Barbera (Jud Fry) is this productions fight coordinator, certified with unarmed and single sword stage combat. Through the intense fighting and disputes he helped staged, Barbera could make a viewer feel as if anger empowered them watching every punch, stab, shove, and kick the love-driven male leads brawled over.
Besides the impactfulness and accuracy or the action-packed moments in this production, the power of dance was explored. Observing, there was more dancing than singing, and extraordinary dancing it was.
Ian Mcardle, who played Will Parker, a secondary lead, brought the stage to life, inviting the audience to the party as he danced throughout the production. With his cowboy entourage supporting him, the audience applauded and clapped along as if they were joining the dance themselves. Desperate to win the true love of Ado Annie, Mcardle as Will Parker won the hearts of the audience through his cheeky smile, determined willfulness, charismatic vocals, and joyful dancing.
