Customer Reviews

Oklahoma! (1980 London Revival Cast)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

There are so many GOOD versions of OKLAHOMA! available that only musical theatre collectors who want EVERY version of the score would want this. The cast is very ordinary... your local college production was probably done with much more energy. The live recoding just means there is audience noise throughout the songs and applause (not very stronng applause) after each cut. Stick with the original 1943 cast, the well sung movie sountrack, or the inventive 1998 London revival with Hugh Jackman.

I'm not sure why this CD is on the market. I first bought this CD not knowing about the multiple cast recordings available on the market, and I was sorely disappointed. The voices are mediocre, the accents are lousy and now this CD has just been collecting dust on my shelf for years. I think any recording other than this one would be recommended.

I don't know much about the 1943 version (I wasn't alive), but always been a fan of the film version with Gordon McCrae. But I actually saw this version live in the Palace Theatre. I believe this recording really captures the energy and strength of voices and the experience of live theatre. Lots of good examples but particularly Kansas City - just listen to energy and breathless dancing. Yes there are many versions out there but also many are very poor. At least give this a good listen - you will not be disappointed.John Deidrich, Madge Ryan, Mark White and Jillian Mack all put in star performances.