SYMMES TOWNSHIP, OHIO – Oklahoma: not your father's Buick

SYMMES TOWNSHIP, OHIO - Sometimes making the transition when very young people play the part of an adult is seamless. Sometimes it is not. Triumph can be achieved through makeup, costumes and choosing the cast. However it was done – it was done very well at last night's dress rehearsal for “Oklahoma.” Although many of the musical's roles are that of young people, it is usually the stretch of the adult parts of a high school production that can stand out as unbelievable, and distract from other well played parts. Not true however of the spring musical put on by the Loveland High School Drama Club.

The production premiers tonight at 7:30 PM in the Ron DeWitt Theater at the High School, continues at the same time on Friday night, and a matinée performance on Saturday at 2 PM.

Also distracting sometimes, is the transition between speaking parts to singing. But also not true of this production, as the singing roles, either from individuals, duets, or the large chorus is spontaneous in a seamless and artful manner. Speaking of singing, there is not one weak singing role or chorus number to be found. Neither is there one weak character role in the production. All of these students must have worked extremely hard developing their character's believable dialect and stage persona.

The show's Director is New Jersey native Larry Smiglewski, who ended up in Cincinnati after being recruited to the Carnegie Theater in Covington. At the end of his first year teaching 5th grade in Public School 89 in the Bronx, Smiglewski was honored as one of three “Model New Teachers in NYC” by First Lady Laura Bush. Smiglewski is Artistic Director and co-founder of Jersey Productions in Covington and has worked with Tony Award winning, producer Stuart Ostrow and director Walter Bobbie. The student Director is Carrie Southcott. The Musical Director is Jill Stagg, assisted by student Musical Director, Logan Sand. Loveland High School graduate, Kristin Rutter directed the choreography and is proving herself again as an artist and teacher capable of pulling off inspiring stage presence for actors and dancers. Rutter takes the actors to the very edge of the stage at subtle times almost to the front row seats, sucking the audience right into the drama.

This is not your father's Buick production of the World War II era musical, and Director  Smiglewski said last night, “This after all is Rogers and Hammerstein.” He was referring to the murky elements of the story and the loner, Jud Fry character, played by Senior Matt Robinson. The rivalry between farmers and cowboys, Robinson's portrayal of grave and brooding and the dark, earthy, emotions are not shied away from. The forbidding side of the story receives equal weight to the unfolding love story and songs we are familiar with

Dress rehearsal tests the whole production, from lighting, set design, sound, and orchestra. Flaws could be found, such as wireless microphones that cut out because antennas were not yet installed, and orchestra mis-cues, but these problems were already being addressed before people headed home for the evening.

This is an excellent production, not just an excellent high school production, which it is, but a well told story through acting, singing and dancing that is first rate and one that any community would be proud to brag about. You don't have to just like musicals to enjoy this show, it's for those who enjoy well acted drama as well.