Search - Original Broadway Cast :: Oklahoma! (1979 Revival Cast Recording)

Christine Andreas, Christine Eberole & Co. sing glorious "Ok

Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 04/10/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The 1979 Broadway revival of OKLAHOMA! was the final production of the show to open during Richard Rodgers' lifetime. This cast album is a perfect testament to its amazing cast and the everlasting legacy of the genius of Rodgers and Hammerstein.



Laurence Guittard ("A Little Night Music") and Christine Andreas (fresh from her acclaimed Broadway debut in "My Fair Lady") headlined the revival as the starcrossed lovers Curly and Laurey respectively, with the delightful Mary Wickes in her element as Aunt Eller. Making their Broadway debuts as the comical secondary couple Ado Annie Carnes and Will Parker were Christine Ebersole and Harry Groener. Martin Vidnovic played the menacing farmhand Jud.



Laurence Guittard has a warm and resonant voice, which is well-suited to the role of easygoing Curly, and he sings a gorgeous "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'". Easy on the ear, dulcet-toned Christine Andreas is a perfect Laurey, singing a thrilling and yes, dreamy, version of "Out of My Dreams", and turns "Many a New Day" into a jaunty anthem of defiance. Utterly delightful.



Christine Ebersole, who has won well-deserved Tony Awards for her acclaimed performances in "42nd Street" and "Grey Gardens", is a perfect fit for the comical soubrette role of Ado Annie Carnes. Her "I Cain't Say No" postively drips with humour, whilst the duet with Harry Groener's Will in "All 'Er Nuthin'" is perfectly-performed.



Given the huge abundance of OKLAHOMA! cast albums available, this one may not seem essential; but the perfect cast and top-drawer performers of Laurence Guittard, Christine Andreas and Christine Ebersole make it one of the best."