I was lucky enough to be invited to the revival of the classic Oklahoma!, returning to Broadway after 75 years.
Written by the legendary duo Rodgers & Hammerstein and reimagined with elements of contemporary art, this deeper, more layered production is now playing at Circle in the Square Theatre.
Set in rural Oklahoma in the early 1900s, a small town love triangle heads toward an ending no one sees coming.
From the theater layout to the plot and highlights, here is my report on the musical Oklahoma!
Table of Contents
Synopsis of the musical “Oklahoma!”
At the annual box social, a bidding war begins for the privilege of escorting Laurey. Jud and Curly spend everything they have to try to win her. The world feels simple and rustic, yet the final turn is surprisingly unexpected.
For the full plot, unexpected ending, and highlights, check the detailed page below.
Oklahoma! at Circle in the Square Theatre
Circle in the Square Theatre
The signature feature is the blurred boundary between stage and audience. The stage sits at the same height as the front row, and premium seats placed on stage let performers sit right at the tables in front of you.
This thrust style layout is unique to this venue, creating an intimacy with the cast that is hard to find elsewhere.
Address: 1633 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
For the theater’s background, architecture, and key features, see the page below.
House lights stay up and the orchestra plays live
The show opens with a breakfast scene, and it feels as if you are stepping into a brand new day with the characters. Audience members in premium seats even get a bit of playful interaction from the cast. With the band on the same stage, there are moments where musicians and actors interact, dissolving the usual lines between performers and audience.
Our seats for this performance
How to read your ticket: ORCHE 225
Row E (fifth row from the front), seat 225
The onstage premium seats are tempting, but honestly, with voucher tickets you will be close to the action almost anywhere and can feel the shared energy of the room.
Depending on your spot, you might be right beside a vomitorium, the tunnel performers use to enter and exit. Voucher tickets are great value for many shows, and they feel especially worthwhile here.
Thoughts after watching “Oklahoma!”
When you hear that the story is set in the American heartland, it can be hard to picture the atmosphere at first for anyone from outside of the US. I settled into my seat with modest expectations, but the opening number, Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’, felt instantly familiar and warm.
The title song Oklahoma later became the official state song. Combined with the intimate vibe of the venue and the country tinged sound, I found myself drawn in more naturally than with many other shows.
Highlight: Ali Stroker, the first wheelchair user to win a Tony for acting on Broadway
Beyond the famous creators, this production also drew attention for featuring a wheelchair using actor. In a secondary love triangle, Ali Stroker plays Ado Annie, a role that contrasts with Laurey’s hesitation. Annie is impulsive and open hearted, and the number I Can’t Say No became a breakout moment, widely shared on television and online throughout the US.
Winner of the 2019 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress
The moment her win was announced, the audience erupted, and media coverage quickly followed. She broke barriers on Broadway and delivered a performance that deserves attention.
A dance solo that shifts the mood
As with much contemporary art, interpretations vary. Watching with another staff member, we read the moment differently. One saw it as expressing the frustration of wanting to move forward but being unable to, whereas I felt it evoked the historical pain experienced by Black communities in the American South.
A different twist from the original
The story is set before Oklahoma officially became a state. Like many tight knit communities around the world, strong local codes of conduct shaped life at the time.
Those codes could help some and harm others. Experiencing this frontier sense of community in the middle of New York City felt striking and thought provoking.
A fresh take on Oklahoma!
Many in the audience seemed to be long time fans of the piece, yet this production clearly appeals to curious theatergoers seeking something new. It feels fair to call it a new Oklahoma!, where a classic story meets a contemporary sensibility.
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