directed by Bill Simon

At the turn of the century in Indian Territory, a young ranch hand, Curly is infatuated with Laurey. Unfortunately, they are both too proud to admit they love each other. Just to spite Curly, Laurey accepts an invitation to the local dance from the evil Jud Fry. Meanwhile, Will Parker has returned early from his trip to Kansas City. Unfortunately, his girlfriend, Ado Annie, just can't seem to say no to other men. Eventually, Curly and Jud duel it out, with Jud ending up falling on his own knife and dying. In the end, Curly and Laurey are married. Likewise, Will and Ado Annie tie the knot,
and all is well. 

Act 1

"Oh What a Beautiful Mornin'" - Curly
"Oh What a Beautiful Mornin" - Laurey
"The Surrey With the Fringe On Top" - Curly
"Kansas City" - Will, Aunt Eller, Male Ensemble
"I Cain't Say No" - Ado Annie
"I Cain't Say No - Will, Ado Annie, Curly, Ensemble
"Many a New Day" - Laurey and Female Ensemble
"It's a Scandal! It's a Outrage!" Ali Hakim and Male Ensemble
"People Will Say We're In Love" - Curly and Laurey
"Pore Jud is Daid" Curly and Jud
"Lonely Room" - Jud
"Out of My Dreams" - Laurey and Female Ensemble
"Dream Ballet" - Ensemble

Act 2

"Entr'acte" - Orchestra
"The Farmer and the Cowman" - Carnes, Aunt Eller, Ike Skidmore, Ensemble
"All Er Nuthin'" - Will and Ado Annie
"People Will Say We're In Love (Reprise)" - Curly and Laurey
"Oklahoma!" - Curly and Ensemble
"Finale Ultimo" ("Oh What a Beautiful Mornin'" and "People Will Say We're in Love") - Ensemble

Cast and Characters of Oklahoma

THE HISTORY OF OKLAHOMA! the Musical

Oklahoma! (1943) was the first musical play written by composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist/librettist Oscar Hammerstein II (see Rodgers and Hammerstein). Some argue that it marked a revolution in musical drama: while it was hardly the first time a play with music told a story of emotional depth and psychological complexity, Oklahoma! implemented a number of new storytelling techniques, including focusing on emotional empathy; dealing with characters and situations far removed from the audience by time and geography; dealing with American historical and social materials; and its use of dance to convey plot and character rather than mere diversion for the audience.

Originally entitled Away We Go, Oklahoma!, which is based on Lynn Riggs's 1931 play, Green Grow the Lilacs, is set in Oklahoma Territory outside the town of Claremore in 1906, and tells the story of cowboy Curly McLain and his romance with farmer girl Laurey Williams. Their love is challenged by Laurey's threatening farmhand, Jud Fry, and much of the play follows the contest between Curly and Jud for Laurey's affections. A comic subplot follows Laurey's friend, Ado Annie Carnes and her on-again/off-again relationship with cowboy Will Parker.

The original production of Oklahoma! opened in New Haven's Shubert Theatre[1] before premiering on March 31, 1943 at the St. James Theatre in New York. It was directed by Rouben Mamoulian, and starred Betty Garde, Alfred Drake, Joan Roberts, Celeste Holm, Joan McCracken, and Howard Da Silva. The production was choreographed by Agnes de Mille, who provided one of the show's most notable and enduring features: a 15-minute first-act ballet finale (often referred to as a dream ballet) arising from Laurey's inability to make up her mind between Jud and Curly. The original production ran for a then unprecedented 2,212 performances and was closed on May 29, 1948. There have been many revivals of Oklahoma! since, including national tours.

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