Customer Reviews

Oklahoma! (1998 London Cast)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

After seeing a video of the London production, I simply had to have the soundtrack. I've always been a fan of Rodgers and Hammerstein's music, and was excited to hear about the new production now on Broadway. I was not disappointed. The music is as wonderful as ever and this soundtrack includes two songs written for the show, but dropped from the original play and the film -- IT'S A SCANDAL and LONELY R0OM. The latter song gives new insight into the character of Jud, an impression reinforced by the marvelous singing by Shuler Hensley, who won both the Olivier AND Tony awards for his performance in this role.

The singing overall is simply wonderful -- aside from Mr. Hensley, Josefina Gabrielle's light soprano does justice to the role of Laurey, and Hugh Jackman is fantastic as Curly. His baritone is well suited to the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein, and I sincerely hope he will be doing more of their work -- and more musical theatre in general -- in the future. Maureen Lipman, Jimmy Johnston and the rest of the cast did full justice to their roles.

Truly a first class recording -- The music was running through my head for days after playing the cd.

Finally, a recording that really depicts the masterpiece that this work really is. Performed by a flawless cast with new orchestrations, this is a must have disk. The score tends to drag on previous recordings. Here the tempos are bright and bouncy, yet there is an air of darkness that evolves throughout; which was always the authors intent, but camoflagued in previous productions. It is gratifying that this landmark legend of musical theatre finally got the production it deserves.

This fantastic OKLAHOMA! cast album features the acclaimed 1998 National Theatre revival cast headed by Hugh Jackman and Josefina Gabrielle. Mary Rodgers (the daughter of Richard Rodgers) has called this production the finest OKLAHOMA! she has ever attended. A full taped performance of the revival is available on DVD and highly-recommended from this corner. Hugh Jackman has a luscious voice as Curly, singing powerfully in all his numbers, and he performs "Oh What a Beautiful Mornin'" like the song was only written yesterday. Josefina Gabrielle has a winsome quality as Laurey, and her "Out of My Dreams" is fantastic. "Many a New Day" is performed as her stridant anthem that she can do very well without the attentions of the opposite sex. This recording is further-enhanced by the all-new "Dream Ballet" orchestrated by William David Brohn, which takes as its starting point the original version but adds some fresh new touches. Be warned though: as it appears on the recording, the "Dream Ballet" has been slightly-abriged due to length purposes (for the full piece, refer to the DVD). Maureen Lipman is a sardonic delight as Aunt Eller, Vicki Simon belts Ado Annie's "I Cain't Say No" to perfection and Jimmy Johnston is fantastic as Will Parker. Shuler Hensley perfectly captures the intense and brooding nature of Jud Frye with the haunting "Lonely Room". One of the best OKLAHOMA! cast album efforts.

Listening to Oklahoma surely takes one's mind back to the very early days in the turn of 20th century. The "Overture" opens this album delightfully promising revealing into the air such recognizable tunes as "Oklahoma" and "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning". When you first hear Oklahoma, the musical, you'll remember something familiar, you may say, "I have heard that tune somewhere!" Not only the title song but also the rest of this recording is worth listening to. Explore "Ballet" and "The Farmer and the Cowman" among others. You won't be disappointed, as the music from Richard Rodgers is wonderful and well known all over the world as well as lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II.

This is the definitive version of "Oklahoma"For those who were not fortunate to see the National Theatre production live, listening to the CD captures the essence of the live performance. Brilliant orchestrations, outstanding voices and choral work. The grand finale of the title song alone is worth the price. Any fan of the show will be thriled with this version!

This is a great CD! It's great to listen to, when you can't be at home watching the video of it. Curly's "Oh What A Beautiful Morning," can brighten anyone's day or night. Hugh Jackman(Curly) does a great job hiding his accent! "Kansas City," "The Farmer and the Cowman," and "People Will Say we're In Love" are also definately worth listening to. And who can leave out "Oklahoma." I reccommend puchasing this cd along with the video (Will's lassoing reminds me that of Will Rogers), you won't regret it.

I loved this!! I'm sure that some people will not like the fact that this Curly has a darker side to him and that Jud is not all evil. To have the three leads also doing the ballet/dream sequence just made this movie that much better. I can definately recommend this to anyone who is a fan of the original Oklahoma. This will not take anything away from the original but can only add to your enjoyment.

I have been involved with theatre in different capacities over the last 30 years. Trevor Nunn's production is by far the best I've seen or heard. The cast outstanding. Mr. Jackman and Mr. Hensley have a great presence. Their duet of "Pore Jud is Daid" is both funny and touching.

This recording of the groundbreaking first R&H musical should arguably considered as one of the finest of its many recordings. It's true that the film soundtrack gives a definitive performance of the score, but this energetic, peppy version gives the musical its maximum oomph. The cast gives a stellar rendition of the score, and act out their parts charismatically and convincingly, even though the accents are not always authentic Southern accents. Hugh Jackman heads the cast with a rich, sumptuous portrayal of Curly, shining vocally from the first phrase of Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'. He is well-partnered by the pert, ambivalent yet tender Laurey of Josefina Gabrielle. Gabrielle also shines vocally on Many a New Day and exudes a wonderful chemistry during People Will Say We're in Love. The supporting cast is equally characterful, with Maureen Lipman a caustic Aunt Eller, contrasting against the dark hues of Shuler Hensley's Jud. Hensley's vivid portrayal of Jud adds an extra dimension to the character during the rarely-heard Lonely Room. Vicki Simon and Jimmy Johnstone make a perfectly delicious and comic pairing of Ado Annie and Will, and their moments individually and together are always a delight to hear, especially I Cain't Say No and All er Nothin'. The orchestra under John Owen Edwards is top-notch and plays this score superbly, especially the new dance arrangements that sound newly-minted, yet respectful of the originals. The presentation is splended, with a lavish booklet packed with photos, and a crisp, clean modern recording. All told, this version of Oklahoma! should certainly be highly recommended, and should elicit a spontaneous "YEOW!" from anyone who is willing to be charmed by it. I'm sure that more people will come to appreciate it and give this version its long-overdue O.K.

I used to hate oklahoma! i am a fan of a large range of musicals but oklahoma never interested me. it has a good story line but before now it bored me to tears. then my boyfriend made me watch the new one and it was amaizing! this cast rejuvinated the story and made you feel for the characters. i like the ado annie/will turner storyline a lot better than the laura/curly storyline; however, hugh jackman was an amazing curly. the actress who played aunt eller was amaizing. this is a great album to add to your broadway colection.