Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-10-08
'Oklahoma' Is the Thing
By Jay Carmo dy.

opened Broadway more than year and one-har
it observed of "Oklahoma!. major
that it play muic-operettas
If any likes that betterwas thing
sure because they were in than
because they Joseph Buon
Joan Roberts Celesn Holm McCracken.
usual unique almost delighted
who felt little weary happy
piece Of drama that really did need them
ihe opinion OF course was not quite unanimous for there were
those who had the notion that while original leading performers
in okahoma were not name players they the ideal and
Only during contradiction Of
minority viewpoint
That the opening Of "Bloomer Girl" musical which
started its Broadway life the Of critics and which
won os by having the same hayor OF that mace ne
Teater Guilds production such sensation Individually contributing
most to that flavor Miss Holm and Miss McCracken both Of
whom their Broadway receptions through oklahoma
Gone.
They have been now
Riggs still is the production which difficult
tickets Nor are they the only to have left Miss Roberts, who
Laurie with such that lucky ticket holders
thought could sing Laurie WE'LL also has been out
OF the cast and for even longer Miss Roberts thought go to Holly
wood logical place but she did Evelyn Wykoh stepped
into the role So far as the demand for tickets has been
Wykof should
remembered the Laurie the which played "Okla
Washington percptbe degree of difference
to those who fortunate enough have seen both the New
companies
important these with the possible
exception of Miss Holm was Alfred Drake in the role OF Curly 1t
the that the production faced its
real test at least many dehard skepc thought Well
of history
history that the effect of his going lasted only the few hours
that took Harry get to New York from the Chicago
company take the leading male role.
OF the original principals therefore of the New York
mentally vital and two the greatest talents contributing to
the original Of the production Between them however and
excellent do provide rebuttal to the original
point about Okahomas charm that in the play rather than
in the players
It's standing the in all the other moments Of its
vivid beautifully summarized the other day In remark
overheard by this commentator to the effect that:
will great Oklahoma! settles down being
merely a smash hit instead of a sensation"
Regardless obviously of who happens to be in the cast at the
time.
New Theater Horizon.
Washington Unversiys and Curtain players
is nv iS
in ac that localities will their first chance the
modern of thea design Washington Fran
The that productions the university will
Auditorium which there
enthusiastic that look at the edce
has become the major ambition of many Washngtonans.
this commentator public of the
building convocaton exercises
which ncompeion which has
considerably corrected
will bring "Cue Curtains" first offering the
booked Season tickets therefor sale at the
university.
c. U. to Revive
Speaking of the University Theaer Catholic speech
drama department its Sunday night
of its enormously Bernadete adaptation Franz
cast will be featured in the by
Broadway producers who still make their
the movies effect upon Benadetes story stage vehicle