Oklahoma! – About the Show
Highlights of Oklahoma! – Must-See Moments
The First Collaboration of Broadway Legends Rodgers & Hammerstein
The very first musical created by the legendary duo Rodgers & Hammerstein, often credited with shaping the foundation of the modern Broadway musical, was Oklahoma!Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II went on to write some of the most iconic Broadway classics, including South Pacific, The King and I, The Sound of Music, and Carousel. Although Oklahoma! premiered in 1943, before the Tony Awards were established, it is still regarded as one of the greatest masterpieces in Broadway history.
Broadway’s First Long-Running Hit Returns After 75 Years
Returning to Broadway 75 years after its 1943 premiere, Oklahoma! was originally performed an astonishing 2,248 times over five years, setting a groundbreaking record as Broadway’s first true long-running hit. In the wake of the Great Depression, this production became a symbol of how musicals transformed into entertainment accessible to everyday audiences. Remarkably, this record stood unchallenged until My Fair Lady premiered 14 years later.
Oklahoma! – Show info
Show details of Oklahoma!
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Theater location： Circle In The Square Theatre 1633 Broadway (on 50th), New York, NY 10019 (Map) |
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Performance Run: Preview: March 19, 2019 Opening: April 7, 2019 Closing: January 19, 2020 |
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Show Links: |
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Type of the show: Must-see・Classic Adapted into a Movie Fun Emotional・Touching Stunning Dance |
Oklahoma! – Story
The Plot / Summary of Oklahoma!
Curly, a charming cowboy admired by all the local girls, is known as the village playboy. However, beneath his confident exterior, he secretly longs for Laurey, the beautiful daughter of a local farmer. One day, Curly tries to invite Laurey to the town’s upcoming social, arriving in a fancy surrey with a fringe on top. Yet because he often hides his feelings behind a teasing attitude, Laurey coldly rejects his invitation.
Although she pretends to be indifferent, Laurey is in fact deeply drawn to Curly. But when Jud, a lonely farmhand also interested in Laurey, asks her to the dance, she reluctantly agrees. Hurt by her decision, Curly chooses to attend the event with Gertie, the loudest girl in town, setting up a night of jealousy and unspoken emotions.
At the social, Curly struggles to hide his feelings when he sees Laurey and Jud together. The tension between Curly and Laurey grows as their banter masks the truth they both feel. Finally, unable to hold back any longer, Curly confesses his love and begs Laurey to reject Jud. Though she feels the same, Laurey is torn by guilt and hesitation. Things take a dark turn when Jud, realizing the truth, tries to force a kiss on Laurey, but fails.
During the evening’s fundraiser, a picnic basket auction begins, with Laurey’s basket up for bid. The highest bidder not only wins the basket but also the privilege of spending time with her. Determined not to lose Laurey, Jud offers all his savings. In a dramatic gesture, Curly sells his horse and gun to outbid him, winning Laurey’s basket and her heart.
Curly and Laurey are finally united, and their wedding day arrives. Just as the celebration is in full swing, Jud appears, unable to let go of his obsession. Armed with a knife, he attacks, forcing Curly to defend the woman he loves in a shocking and emotional climax.
Oklahoma! – Movie
The YouTube trailer of Oklahoma!
This is a promotional video for the Broadway musical “Oklahoma!” You can see scenes from this smash hit long-running production.
Oklahoma! – Explore, FAQ
Musical Oklahoma! Behind the Scenes
The song “Oklahoma!” became the official state song
The title number of this production was adapted into a musical piece based on the 1931 play Green Grow the Lilacs by Lynn Riggs.
In 1955, 20th Century Fox released the film version Oklahoma!, which included the song as a featured number. The film went on to win the Academy Award for Best Scoring of a Musical Picture and Best Sound Recording, while the soundtrack album topped the charts in 1956. Later, the song “Oklahoma!” was adopted as the official state song of Oklahoma and continues to be sung today.
Signature songs from Oklahoma!
Here are some of the most beloved classics from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s legendary score for Oklahoma!:
| Oh What a Beautiful Morning |
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| Oklahoma! |
| The Surrey with the Fringe on Top |
The untold story behind the creation of Oklahoma!
Oklahoma! marked the beginning of the legendary Rodgers and Hammerstein partnership. Interestingly, both originally planned to adapt Green Grow the Lilacs with their previous collaborators. However, both were turned down, which led them to team up and take on the project together. At the time, musicals mostly consisted of spoken dialogue with songs and dances added as decoration.
Rodgers and Hammerstein broke new ground by using music and dance to express emotion and move the story forward, effectively creating a revolutionary format that laid the foundation for modern Broadway.
In March 1943, the show premiered under the title Away We Go! at the Shubert Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut, where critics initially dismissed it as a failure. But when it opened on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre on March 31, 1943, it became a sensational hit and the first true long-running Broadway musical. If Rodgers and Hammerstein had not joined forces, the Broadway we know today might never have existed.
The first international musical staged by Takarazuka Revue was Oklahoma!
In Japan, Oklahoma! is well known for being performed by the Takarazuka Revue, and its history dates back to 1967. While the troupe now frequently stages Broadway hits, Oklahoma! was their first-ever international musical. They later revived it in 1984 and 2006, cementing it as one of the company’s beloved classics cherished by fans for decades.
Oklahoma! – FAQ
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Can I buy tickets for Oklahoma! (Broadway show) on the day of the show?
Tickets are available for purchase until the day before the show through our booking page. See more details about Oklahoma! tickets.
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How much are tickets for Oklahoma! (Broadway show)?
Tickets for the Broadway musical Oklahoma! start at $59 with our discounted prices. See more details for Oklahoma! tickets.
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Is the English in Oklahoma! (Broadway show) hard to understand?
The musical Oklahoma! is an enjoyable show even if you don’t understand English. We recommend reading the synopsis before you go. For other recommended shows, please refer to the Broadway Musical Selection Guide. You’re sure to find a show you’ll love from among the many musicals in New York.
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Do you have a summary or synopsis of Oklahoma! (Broadway show)?
The story and synopsis of the Broadway musical Oklahoma! are introduced in the Oklahoma! Story section. Reading this beforehand will help you easily understand the storyline.
Oklahoma! – Review
Review by Cowboy Wannabe:
If you enjoy western music, this show is for you. At the end, everyone sang “Oklahoma!” together and I regretted not learning it beforehand. The seating surrounded the stage, making the view excellent and very satisfying.
Nov 6, 2019
Review by Mikako Morita:
The stage was always bright and visible from any angle due to the in-the-round seating. However, the audience across from me distracted my view. Overall, it didn’t resonate with me. Compared to the film, this production felt a bit darker, and I preferred the movie.
Oct 29, 2019
Review by MATSUI:
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