Back in 1980 or so, I saw the revival of Oklahoma with Christine Ebersole and Christine Andreas at the Forest Theater in Philadelphia before the production came to NYC. It was the first time I saw Oklahoma, but when I saw it, everything seemed to mesh together well. I can't say the same for the PBS broadcast. As I was watching it, I got the feeling that those responsible for the production couldn't decide it if it was an operetta or a musical and it seemes to transition, rather abruptly, between the two. Hugh Jackman is an excellent singer with a strong voice, but he seems to approach the role as if it were an operetta. For me, he never seemed to get into the character of Curley, seeming too "urban".Maureen Lipman seems excellent as Aunt Eller, and Shuler Hensley, who was exceptional in Les Miserables when I saw him, gives a mesmerizing performance. Yet, the "opera-like" sets seem to detract from the production. Luckily the music and lyrics carry the show along (except after the final "Oklahoma" number when the show seems to lose focus. Overall, a dissapointing 7.
