Forget Wolverine and Van Helsing when you go into the magical world of Hugh Jackman's participation in musical theater. He rocked Broadway as Peter Allen (Liza Minnelli's first gay husband) in "The Boy From Oz" and was standing room only in a musical revue. Nobody could replace him as Peter Allen, so the show only ran a year to sold out crowds (and he never missed a performance!) and got him a well deserved Tony Award. For those who missed that show that never made it onto the small screens or made into a movie, there's the PBS version of "Oklahoma!" which he did in London prior to taking on his more iconic roles. While Patrick Wilson would take over the role in the Broadway transfer, much of that cast who was on stage at the Gershwin Theater in 2002 is here, a nice visit to a show I had the privilege of seeing and got to re-visit thanks to the availability of this version.Certainly, it's going to be a bit jarring to hear the Australian born Jackman singing as American cowboy Curly, but he makes it work simply on his charm and his ability to sing and dance as gracefully as Astaire and Kelly, be funny, yet never make you doubt that he's as masculine (not macho) as they come. His confidence as a performer is unmatchable, although I didn't feel his chemistry with Josefina Gabrielle (Laurey) was as strong as it could have been. She's a great singer, and certainly pretty, but I think is the one weak link in an otherwise strong production. Maureen Lipman's Aunt Eller is strong, funny, loving, commanding and everybody's first stop when they need advice. While I saw Andrea Martin take on this role (and absolute perfection), it's Lipman's who will remain in viewer's minds because of her presence on the video and in TV productions.A Tony Award went to Shuler Hensley in the usually thankless role of the "villain" Jud Fry who gets to show more dimensions than usual in this production. He's only a villain really at the end, mostly a misunderstood loner who doesn't have social graces and is perhaps too shy to deal with women in a gentle manner. He also knows that he's ugly and unlovable, and that adds a sense of heartbreak into his character, making you think about your own feelings towards people in life who don't fill the mold of what a desirable man or woman should be. Vicki Simon is perfectly fine as Ado Annie, the "girl who cain't say no", with Jimmy Johnston just as memorable as her long suffering fiancée Will, determined to raise the money he needs to give Ado Annie's father in order to get his permission to marry her.The set is perfect, with the corn really as high as an elephant's eye, and cute model trains representing the visits to Kansas City and back. The choreography is outstanding, the orchestrations truly beautiful, and the ensemble filled with really talented, attractive dancers who do a great justice to Rodgers and Hammerstein's fabulous score. Fortunately, the success of this show got PBS to air the Lincoln Center production of "South Pacific" and a concert version of "Carousel" (my own favorite Rodgers and Hammerstein show), but this being the first Rodgers and Hammerstein show to which I knew the entire score (through an early viewing of this when I was just a kid), "Oklahoma!" holds a special place in my heart: for the movie, for the 2002 Broadway revival, and for the TV Broadcast of this production which shows that this has stood the test of time and has everything great that represents the best of what America is all about.

If you love musicals and Rodgers and Hammerstein, you will love Trevor Nunn's production of Oklahoma! There will be inevitable comparisons between this and the 1955 film. Personally, I prefer to judge something on their own terms and it'll stay like that talking about Oklahoma! If I were to choose though, while I do like the 1955 film I do have quite a large preference to this version, with my only complaint being that the unfunny and quite dull characterisation of Ali Hakim, the humour is played too subtly to the point of boredom, the accent is inconsistent and unauthentic and there seemed to be an eagerness to get of the stage as quickly as possible. He also seemed like an out-of-place caricature for my liking.Coming from somebody who is very fond of Rodgers and Hammerstein, Oklahoma! is always a pleasure to watch and hear. The story is engaging and remains as fresh and imaginative as it was seen on first reception. And the music is marvellous throughout, People Will Say We're in Love for me is one of the best songs Rodgers and Hammerstein ever wrote. Is there anything I prefer in the 1955 film to here? Perhaps the staging of Oh What a Beautiful Morning, done with a lot of spontaneity and charm here but the colour and quality of the sets in the 1955 film have Rodgers and Hammerstein written all over it.The costumes and sets here are grittier and more evocative than the film, however still with colour and it's still appealing on the eye. The production is well photographed as well, it's never too stage-bound but at the same time it's not too cinematic. For a filmed performance of an opera or musical that is the right approach. Its style and how Trevor Nunn directed did remind me somewhat of Nunn's production of Porgy and Bess, considering how great that is this is very high praise.Nunn does a superb job directing. The freshness and imagination of the story is not just maintained in his direction and in the production, but it also has great energy and charm. One might say that it lacks the spontaneity of a live performance, perhaps so but numbers especially Oh What a Beautiful Morning does have a spontaneous feel to it. Characterisations are also delved in deeper and given more insight. To make Laurey more tomboyish suited the character well, and Aunt Eller has command and dignity. But the revelation in this regard was with Judd, there is still a menace to him but, unlike the film, there is much more to them to the extent that you feel sympathy for him also. The fact that Lonely Room was left in might have a part in this. The choreography is slick and filled with energy, the dancers are talented also and seem to be having the time of their lives.Musically, I am racking my brains to find fault. The music is beautifully played by the orchestra, there is a lot of sparkle and power as well as the ability to accompany sensitively to the singers as they voice/sing the thoughts of their characters. The chorus are rousing in their singing and acting of their rendition of the title number Oklahoma! Jimmy Johnston is immediately appealing as Will and is a very athletic dancer, and Vicki Simon- with a voice that I personally prefer to that of Gloria Graheme's- likewise as Ado Annie.Hugh Jackman's Curly is outstanding. Maybe I prefer the richer voice of Gordon McCrae(who I still liked), but Jackman sings with more emotion and still has a virile voice well suited to the part. The boyish charm, subtle humour and cockiness for me is also brought out more in Jackman's interpretation. Josefina Gabrielle's voice is clear, bright and beautiful in how it rings out without effort, that of Shirley Jones also had that quality. She is utterly beguiling in her youth and innocence, she is both naïve and clever yet never comes across as spoiled. For me also the chemistry between Curly and Laurey is more convincing here. Maureen Lipman makes for a Aunt Eller that is tough but also dignified, wise but also tender, in short the "moral compass" character of the musical given a very strong and memorable presence. Shular Hensley is leagues above Rod Steiger(good and menacing if perhaps too morose) as Judd, you are wary of him but feel for him too. Hensley has a very full and warm voice, singing Lonely Room as if Rodgers and Hammerstein had him in mind when they wrote it, sure that wasn't the case really but I got that vibe.All in all, simply brilliant and very easy to fall in love with. 9.5/10 Bethany Cox

This is a wonderful stage production of Oklahoma! As a teaching guide for my drama students, Oklahoma! has everything that I need in it to teach about a musical. Vocally, the actors are wonderful. Josefina Gabrielle has a beautiful voice and range and is lovely as Laurey. Hugh Jackman, from the first note of 'Oh What A Beautiful Morning' grabs your attention and keeps it. Wow… what a voice, what a stage presence enough said. Shuler Hensley plays Jud Fry with a passion that allows the audience to embrace Jud and yet despise him – tough job to do, but Hensley does it well. Visually, this play uses simple designs and staging, which allows the actors to carry the story and they do an excellent job of carrying the story. Perhaps the lack 'Hollywood' style sets or backdrops may take some aback, but it's the music and the actors that you should notice in a musical. For any one who loves a good musical, it is a wonderful presentation.

I saw it only for Hugh Jackman, and I had no further knowledge about the production but it was one of the best plays I had ever seen even if it was on TV. Of course, Hugh Jackman was fabulous, absolutely fabulous! But also, his supporting cast was great. I loved Aunt Eller, and especially the chemistry and acting between Ado-Annie and Will Parker. Jud Fry was amazing and Ali Hakium was hilarious. I loved the movie but I wasn't quite sure about the audience. The songs were stuck in my head for weeks afterward.Anyways, I loved the movie. Hats off to all the cast,10/10