Dick Kerekes & Leisla SansomThe Jacksonville Symphony under the baton of Michael Butterman and the Alhambra Theatre directed by Tod Booth combined their talents for the third time in as many years with four inspired performances of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma September the l8th to the 20th.
Previous joint productions of The Music Man and Westside Story were well received by enthusiastic audiences and Oklahoma was equally as popular with the audiences in Jacoby Hall at the Times Union Center for the Arts in downtown Jacksonville.
You may have read that the Alhambra Dinner Theatre has closed, at least temporarily, but it appears that a rebirth maybe possible, with new investors or possibly new ownership. There is a swell of support on FACEBOOK as many North Florida residents are responding to the page Save The Alhambra, which features photos from any of the past stars who appeared at the 40 year old Alhambra over the years.
Oklahoma had been planned for several months and Tod Booth had cast the show with 21 wonderfully talented actors and actresses with local and equity experience who performed to perfection.
The leading roles of Curly and Laurey were performed by Jared Miller and Jazmin Gorsine, two very gifted singers who have performed in musicals all over the country. Both are Alhambra veterans as well. Ms. Gorsline had performed the role of Laurey on the Alhambra Dinner Theatre Stage, as well as at the Jekyll Island Summer Musical Theatre several years ago. Mr. Miller’s most recent Dinner theatre appearance was last year in “All Shook Up.”
The major supporting roles were well cast and included: Tony Triano (Ali Hakim), W.C. Green (Jud Fry), Carole Banks (Aunt Eller), Alex Nordin (Will Parker), Heather Barnes (Ado Annie), and Evan Gould (Andrew Carnes).
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