Review:
ON THE TOWN
A GOOD SHOW
AT OU

By Nancy Condit

Leonard Bernstein's music, choreography paying homage to Jerome Robbins -- done by director Lyn Cramer, professor of musical theater, with the ballets by dance department faculty Steve Brule and Clara Cravey Stanley, music theater students and musicians, under the direction of Paul Christman, from the school of music, combined to deliver a music comedy that celebrates the life of New York as much as it does the life of sailors on 24 hour shore leave.
The choreography was good, the music was excellent, and the book and lyrics a little slow. But the execution, for pre-professionals -- on the stage and in the pit, was very good. 
Seven performances are scheduled at 8 p.m. April 26-27, May 2-4 and two matinees at 3 p.m. on April 28, and May 5 in the Reynolds Performing Art Center, 560 Parrington Oval, Norman.
Bernstein's brash music of youth accompanied the sailors in "New York" as they performed bell ringer leaps and danced while planning their day ashore. The company got the accents of subway riders as their bodies echoed the moves of the train.
Betty Comden and Adolph Green's 1944 book and lyrics broke stereotypes as the women on shore were as anxious to meet a man as the men to see them -- but the right man, as Claire's forgiving fiance Pishkin finally realized about, and she went off with Ozzie.
Tickets prices for On the Town are $30 adult, $25 senior adult, OU faculty and staff, and military, and $15 student. Tickets may be purchased by phone (405) 325-4101, or in person at the OU Fine Arts Box Office, 500 W. Boyd Street, in the Catlett Music Center, Norman.  The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution. For tickets and accommodations on the basis of disability, please call the OU Fine Arts Box Office at (405) 325-4101.