Oklahoma...moving in a new direction

Oklahoma, the first collaboration of the famed Rodgers and Hammerstein team, is probably the most influential of all the classic musicals. The particular infusion of the elements of drama(plot), music(song) and dance set the tone for the further development of the musical theatre genre.

Although it was not uncommon for musicals to have long dance sequences(Oklahoma's ballet number choreographed by Agnes de Mille which appears at the end of Act I) or plots of a more complex nature, it was the integration of these elements into a more unified structure that made Oklahoma different from previous musical theatre productions. Musical themes, called motifs, recurr throughout the musical to connect the music and story more closely than ever before. (This parallels what Wagner began to do in opera).

Soon, others were inspired to develop more unique and ambitious subjects and to include more diverse and creative uses of the related music. Such was the impact of this Rodgers and Hammerstein musical that Cole Porter was believed to say that they would be a very hard act to follow.

Oklahoma, based on the book, "Green grow the Lilacs", by Lynn Riggs, doesn't present itself to the audience as a ground-breaking musical. Instead, it focuses on the story of the people of rural America trying to deal with their daily problems and offers the "love triangle" between Laurey and the two men of quite opposite natures, Curly and Jud, who seek her affections.

The songs are quite memorable and often very simple and serve more as an expression of the characters' feelings at that moment in the story than an advancement of the plot. Of the musical's 12 songs, the most familiar include, "Oh, what a beautiful mornin'", "People will say we're in love", "The Surrey with the fringe on top", "Many a new day", "Kansas city", and of course, the theme, "Oklahoma". (Trivia tidbit: In 1953, the song, "Oklahoma", became the national anthem for the state of Oklahoma.)

Oklahoma opened on Broadway at the St. James theatre on March 31, 1943 and ran for 2248 performances. The original cast included Joan Roberts as Laurey, Alfred Drake as Curly and Howard da Silva as Jud. Later, a movie version was created with Shirley Jones, Gordon MacRae and Rod Steiger in the title roles.

Currently, many countries including the USA, Canada, England, Wales and Australia are enjoying touring productions of this still ever popular musical.

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