STAGE REVIEW : Plains-Speaking ‘Oklahoma!’ Is Bright, Cheerful : The La Habra Depot Playhouse’s staging of the American classic is sure-handed and smooth, and the company sings confidently.

Since its Broadway debut in 1943, “Oklahoma!” has been performed steadily around the world. The production on stage now at the La Habra Depot Playhouse is another successful attestation to the folksy power of this ever-popular musical.

“Oklahoma!” was the first collaborative effort of America’s most celebrated musical-comedy team, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. It was hailed for its memorable tunes and for the way in which the songs rose directly out of the action of the play, a modern dramatic concept at the time. The love story of the cowboy Curly and the farm girl Laurey is quintessentially American, set against the vast sky and endless plains of beckoning westward expansionism.

Although the Depot Playhouse’s stage is in no way vast or endless, this “Oklahoma!” is as cheerful and ingenuous as a child’s illustrated storybook. The bright, flower-strewn set by Gary White manages to suggest a happy, open land (even though the inadequate downstage lighting leaves many a moment stranded in the dark). Director Larry Watts’ staging is sure-handed and smooth, using the center aisle to canny advantage.

Under Sam Holley’s musical direction, the company sings confidently, although the volume of the recorded soundtrack is a little overpowering. Nothing overpowers Jim Goodrich as Curly, though.

From his entrance, singing “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning,” and throughout the evening, Goodrich shares his rich, masterful singing and his easy presence. Tracy London’s bright-eyed Laurey is no vocal match for this Curly, but she performs enjoyably, as do the other leading ladies: Tracy Gale as the feather-headed Ado Annie and Georgina Lewis as the no-nonsense Aunt Eller.

Roly-poly Raun Imperial is fun as the scalawag peddler Ali Hakim, and Brad Rumery has an infectious grin as Will Parker. Burly George Sullivan deserves special note for his powerful bass as the menacing Jud Fry.

Never mind that the wild ways and the untamed tempers and the hard work and uncertainty of homestead life are left out of this settlers’ tale. As an American fairy tale, La Habra’s “Oklahoma!” is OK!

‘Oklahoma!’

A La Habra Depot Playhouse production of the musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. Directed by Larry Watts. Musical direction by Sam Holley. Produced by Stephanie Haymond. Assistant director: Karen McCord. Set design by Gary White. Costumes by Jude Lucas. With Jim Goodrich, Tracy London, Tracy Gale, Brad Rumery, Georgina Lewis, George Sullivan, Raun Imperial, Mike Ungerleider, Jeni Good, Todd Larson, Leo Soderman, Melissa Montano, Lauren Spicer, Todd Brady, Leslie Holland, Erin Scott, Tom Phillips, Elizabeth Ridenour. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. through Sept. 28, Sunday matinee at 2:30 Sept. 29, at 311 N. Euclid St., La Habra. Tickets: $10 general admission, $8 for students and seniors. Box office: (213) 905-9708, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.