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Tulsa Project Theatre serves up a Broadway buffet.

29.07.11

While there is certainly a trunk to be made for staging this production in a smaller, more cabaret friendly venue than the John  H. Williams Histrionics, the difficulty here would be the confining nature of a smaller space and accommodating the fairly large and enthusiastic audience who were announce. Director Machele Dill exploited to full benefit the openness of the stage on the night, using every inch to full place and never letting the focus or energy become static. In opting for a format of themed medley arrangements contrasted with some take the place of-alone numbers, Dill made some astute choices, working as she was with material handed to her by an audience vote, and managed to keep proceedings inspiring at a lively, but never hurried, pace. JC Laucks platformed set design, with costumes and props draped strategically about the platform, included a band inconspicuously tucked away to the rear. However, the backdrop of an illuminated screen upon which colours shifted  didn’t always replica the energy generated on stage. Lighting did not have its finest hour, showing unpardonable central mistakes on a couple of occasions, such as performers waiting interminably long periods before being lit. It can only be hoped that this was the issue of first night jitters. However, musical direction by Jim Gregory was top notch with transitions between numbers and segments seamlessly handled.

Source: Examiner.com