Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...Aside from the superb ensemble singing (which is not chicken feed) under the baton of James Lowe, Griffin's production, warmly received at Saturday night's opening, has two great assets. One is the striking collective strength of the crucial comic scenes - which occupy a good percentage of the stage time. The well cast team of Curtis Holbrook (who plays Will Parker) and Tari Kelly (Ado Annie) is funny, fresh, musically adroit and light on its feet. Paula Scrofano's reflective Aunt Eller could not be more charming. And Usman Ally, an actor known in Chicago more for serious dramatic roles, makes a hilarious Ali Hakim, avoiding all the traps of this stereotypical role by figuring out that his guy is the smartest dude in the territory and revealing vaudevillian chops that sit quite hilariously on his bean-pole frame."
Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"...It is easy to make the argument that great Broadway musicals like "Oklahoma!" deserve a significant place in the repertory of American opera houses. After all, these are shows that evolved from European grand opera and operetta, but over time incorporated the many influences of ragtime, vaudeville, jazz, folk music and a slew of other popular entertainment styles that resulted in something closer to the American grain in terms of both sound and story."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...despite splendid vocals (notably soprano Ashley Brown in the female lead) and expertly timed comic supporting performances (kudos to Usman Ally as a womanizing traveling salesman), director Gary Griffin's handling of the story's dramatic core-the rivalry between a cocky cowboy and a threatening farmhand for the love of a headstrong farm woman-is shallow. The result is sometimes exhilarating and always entertaining, but Oklahoma! is capable of more."
Chicago Stage Review - Highly Recommended
"...Lyric Opera's production has created the perfect balance: between sets that reflect the colorful but elemental aesthetic of a Grant Wood painting and richly detailed costuming, among singers and actors and dancers, between rousing chorus numbers and simple tender moments. One never feels that production values overwhelm the tremendous humanity of Oklahoma! What a great gift Lyric has given to Chicago audiences."
Time Out Chicago - Recommended
"...While Griffin's production is a delight to hear-and to see, with Agnes de Mille's choreography, including the original dream ballet, recreated by her now 91-year-old associate, Gemze de Lappe-his casting doesn't always feel true to the story's spirit. Oklahoma! is essentially about restless youth and growing pains-those of a young nation as well as the show's young leads. Ashley Brown's Laurie, playing coy with John Cudia's Curly and wary of David Adam Moore's Jud, seems to lack the vulnerability and naïvete that are vital to the character. Brown sings the part gorgeously, but her Laurie feels just as ultracapable as her Mary Poppins did; you expect she could manage Moore's too-gentle Jud just fine by herself, thanks."
Chicago On the Aisle - Highly Recommended
"...Lyric's "Oklahoma!" is what all such classic musicals should be - eye-popping to behold, from the charming naturalism of John Lee Beatty's farm buildings to the splashing colors of Mara Blumenfeld's costumes, all dramatized by Christine Binder's lighting schemes. Ah, I nearly forgot the surrey. The wheels are, yep - yeller."
Stage and Cinema - Somewhat Recommended
"...While Hammerstein's dialogue still receives much-deserved laughter, the line-readings in this rendition are some of the flattest I have ever heard, lacking in originality, humor, authenticity, and above all, any underlying meaning and motivation. Is this the same Mr. Griffin who transformed Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George at Chicago Shakes last year by infusing the show with humanity and intimacy?"
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...Get to the Civic Opera house to experience the original Oklahoma! in all its glory, all its down-home charm, and all its artistic acumen. You'll either discover or re-discover the genius of Rodgers & Hammerstein as they changed the landscape of Broadway musicals forever with Oklahoma! After seeing many fine productions of this classic show, I must report that Gary Griffin and the Lyric's production is the finest, most heartfelt production of Oklahoma! I've ever seen! It is beautiful. It is nostalgic. And it is heartwarming. You'll be humming tunes from this wonderful show for days. R & H would be proud of this production. Get your tickets fast since the show only runs through May 19. it sure is a "must see" theatrical event."
Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Highly Recommended
"...Hammerstein wrote a lot of playfulness into this show. The characters are eccentric and lovable individuals. And no one takes him/herself too seriously. In the final scene, Scrofano basically tells Brown to not get bogged down in the drama. (Ironic words at the world-renown Lyric Opera). What keeps this show from getting too sentimental is the ongoing humor. And Hammerstein's jokes are still funny. Bringing the frolicking buffoonery are Curtis Holbrook (Will), Tari Kelly (Ado Annie) and Usman Ally (Ali). This trio is full of personality, singing and zinging. In addition, Holbrook busts some dazzling moves with rope tricks and cowboy stepping. There is never a dull moment in this spectacle with the 'fringe on the top.'"
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Chicago is more than a theater town, it is a special theater town, one in which our Opera company, The Lyric Opera of Chicago, takes on a Broadway Musical from the past and revives it with the power and energy, as well as the superior voices of a strong Opera company. This year, the revival is of "Oklahoma", Rogers and Hammerstein's classic musical based on the novel, "Green Grows The Lilacs" by Lynn Riggs. The original production opened in New York, at the Saint James Theatre 70 years ago ( March 31, 1943) and this musical has been done over the years at every local music theater, college and high school as well as the community theaters throughout the Unites States ( and probably elsewhere)."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...Agnes De Mille's cutting edge choreography from the 1943 production is faithfully recreated here by associate, Gemze De Lappe, assisted by Victor Wisehart. The show's 15-minute "Dream Ballet" that closes Act I is gorgeous and every bit as moving as when it first premiered in New York. Mr. Wisehart's choreography for "Kansas City," as performed by Mr. Holbrook and the men's ensemble, and Ms. De Lappe's "Many a New Day" for the ladies' ensemble, as well as her Act II opener, "The Farmer and the Cowhand," are showstoppers."