SEATTLE -- The musical "Oklahoma" is known for a lot of things. But igniting conversations about racial controversy isn't one of them.
Tom Tangney's review of "Oklahoma" at the 5th Avenue Theatre is filled with tension, controversy...and racism?
"This is a 70-year-old musical that's considered as corny and old-fashioned as you can get and suddenly this is now edgy, how can that possibly be!" Tangney said.
The cowboys of Oklahoma have invaded 5th Avenue, but it's the departure from the original all white cast with a black villain that's got many theatre goers talking.
"I think it raises the question about race and how we think about race," said choreographer Donald Byrd. Byrd was instrumental in making the character Jud Black. It's the simple changing of the characters race that makes the entire story line feel different.
"It gets a little uncomfortable because it seems to be playing into our worst kind of racial stereotypes. We used to have of the big black monster of a man and the poor virginal innocent white girl!" says Tangney.
With the new changes, the farm girl Laurey is now in an interracial relationship with Jud, who is then killed by a white man.
"It makes you a little uncomfortable because it's the mostly white community sitting around saying about his death, 'Oh you know it was an accident so let's just clear the young white boy,'" says Tangney.
The new changes are certainly creating buzz, bringing in a new audience to the theatre.
"I'm really excited to see the performance in general," said Kiyon Gaines. "I'll have to keep an eye out for this controversy with the villain!"
"It's a gimmick that pays off," said Tangney.
Panel discussions on the changes will take place between the matinee performance and evening performance on February 18 and 25 at 5:00 PM and February 19 and 26 at 4:30 PM, and will feature Spectrum Dance Theater Artistic Director and Oklahoma! choreographer Donald Byrd and The 5th Avenue's David Armstrong. A town hall meeting featuring the executive team at The 5th Avenue Theatre and members of the creative team for Oklahoma! will take place on Monday, March 5, at 7:00 PM.
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