Meet the Director of Oklahoma!
Meet Zachary Hasbany, Director of "Oklahoma!"
What drew you to "Oklahoma!” as a director, and what is it about the show that you believe will resonate with the audience?
Oklahoma holds a special place in the canon of American theatre for so many reasons. Not only did it revolutionize the way musicals are written, it also pervades through time, staying relevant even today. Its iconic melodies exude a feeling of Americana and transport the audience to a time when we as a people were much more connected to the natural beauty of our country. At the same time, it spotlights complicated, relatable characters. From the charming Curly to the well-meaning Will Parker, and from the straight-and-narrow Laurey to the impulse-driven Ado Annie, audiences want to root for these characters despite their apparent flaws. On a personal note, this show also brings together generations. I vividly remember my Greatest-Generation grandmother lovingly demanding that we sing a verse or two of "Oh What a Beautiful Morning" or "Surrey with the Fringe on Top" during car rides as a family, creating lasting nostalgia and familial connection that escapes the restraints of time. At the same time, we are privileged to share this show with a talented cast of many ages, all the way down to our youngest Generation Z actor. The enduring, relevant writing, music, and message of this piece will be sure to have all audiences indulging in the urge to sing along.
Could you describe your vision for this production?
With this production, I hope to honor the beauty that theatre-goers expect in this show, while also embracing the complexity that makes these characters iconic. Despite a clear protagonist and antagonist, there are no black-and-white saints and devils. By maintaining this balance, audiences should expect a musical that will please those who want a classic Rodgers and Hammerstein romance, and those who want the status quo gently challenged. Additionally, this is a show that has many moving parts with timeless songs, hilarious text, and a moving dream-sequence halfway through. To accommodate this, an immense focus was placed on casting top tier performers. Gorgeous voices will resonate, comedy will hit its marks, and a core of professional ballerinas will grace the stage for the ballet.
What is your experience with directing, and are there any past productions that you believe particularly showcase your expertise in this genre?
I've directed for Cinnabar since 2019, when Nathan Cummings brought me along to work on the Young Rep production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Since then, I've been hired to direct mostly musicals here, having led the artistic team on each of the season openers for the past 3 years. So far each production has gotten larger and larger, an enjoyable challenge on what has traditionally been an intimate Cinna-space. I'm excited that Oklahoma will be the most ambitious musical of Cinnabar's in recent memory, with our talented cast of 20 performers.
As a director, what do you hope the audience takes away from this production?
I hope that audiences see why Oklahoma is simultaneously a classic piece of Americana and a modern musical that resonates in the modern day. It promises to be a feast for the eyes, ears, and mind that audiences young and old can enjoy together.