`OKLAHOMA' PRODUCTION FARMS ENTERTAINING TERRITORY : THE FACTS.

Byline: Victoria Giraud People and Places

What does one say about ``Oklahoma'' that has not already been said dozens of times? That it's a rootin'-tootin,' tried and true piece of Americana and one of the most popular musical shows in American theater? That's a start.

Add to that the fact that Cabrillo Music Theatre has outdone itself in this current production, and you'd better hurry if you're going to catch this terrific musical before it closes Sunday. From the sentimental opening ``O, What a Beautiful Mornin' '' to the rousing ``Oklahoma'' finale, I was entranced, and judging by the enthusiastic audience response, so were they.

Besides the outstanding and familiar music - kudos to musical director-conductor Diann Alexander - and the very capable voices throughout the cast, the colorful production was punctuated by bright and breezy dances dynamically choreographed by John Charron. That it all came together so well and positively radiated energy testifies to the skill of director Lewis Wilkenfeld.

Set at the turn of the century in Indian Territory, ``Oklahoma'' is a fairly simple love story: Curly (Mark Slama) and Laurey (Jennifer Beall) love each other but the sparks are still flying. Slama and Beall light up the stage playing the stubborn cowboy and the fair farm maiden. As the dark counterpoint there's Jud Fry, the taciturn and ominous farmhand who loves Laurey, (played by a compelling Charlie Jourdan).

In a lighter vein there's the love triangle between the flirtatious Ado Annie (the sparkling, breathless Jeannine Marquie), the infectious rube Will Parker (the appealing Chad Borden), and the helpless peddler Ali Hakim (the roguish Jamie Torcellini). Ado Annie can't make up her mind about men - ``I Cain't Say No.'' Will can't seem to save the $50 Annie's father (the talented Gene Bernath as Andre) has demanded in order for him to marry Annie, and Ali Hakim is conniving to get the girl without a marriage obligation.

Highlighting the end of the first act is the dancing dream sequence enacting the love triangle between Curly, Laurey and Jud and danced beautifully by Maria Larisa Ramirez and Murray Phillips.

Others in the fine cast include: the personable and entertaining Mary St. Johns as Aunt Eller, Laura Wolfe as Gertie Cummings, William Shupe as Ike Skidmore, Steve Perren as Cord Elam, Erin Elizabeth Conley as Vivian, Heidi Goodspeed as Kate, Emme Hall as Virginia, Abigail Jones as Ellen, Alison Suthann and Katie Shoemaker as the Flirty Girls, Dave Winstone as the Banjo Player, and Nick McNally as the Wrangler.

Compliments to the real live horse - after all it is a horse opera - at the end. He was well-behaved and left no evidence of his presence as he slowly walked across the stage!

Although the other ensembles are too numerous to mention here, they were an integral part of the talent that made up this wonderful production.

WHAT: ``OKLAHOMA'' based on ``Green Grow the Lilacs'' by Lynn Riggs, lyrics by Richard Rodgers, music by Oscar Hammerstein II.

WHEN: Today at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m.

WHERE: Probst Center, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

COST: $18-$28 per person.

INFORMATION: Ticketmaster [phone].