PBS to Re-Air Great Performances 'Oklahoma!,' 12/28

On December 28th, PBS will re-air the filmed London revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! as part of the "Great Performances" series.

In the metropolitan area, "Oklahoma!" will be presented on WNET/Thirteen at 8 PM (check local listings).

Directed by Trevor Nunn, the Royal National Theatre revival stars Hugh Jackman as Curly, Josefina Gabrielle as Laurey, Maureen Lipman as Aunt Eller, and Shuler Hensley as Jud Fry.  Hensley (who won a Tony Award for his work) and Gabrielle also appeared in the 2002 Broadway revival, which also starred Patrick Wilson and Andrea Martin.

Oklahoma!, which features music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics and book by Oscar Hammerstein II (based on Lynn Riggs' Green Grow the Lilacs), is regarded as one of Broadway's most groundbreaking musicals.  The show opened at the St. James Theatre on March 31st, 1943 and ran for 2,212 performances.  Oklahoma! concerns the romance between cowboy Curly and the lovely Laurey; their love is threatened by jealous farmhand Jud.  Its score includes "People Will Say We're in Love," "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning," "I Cain't Say No," and the rollicking title song.

The show previously received Broadway revivals in 1951 and 1979.  Nunn's revival won the Olivier Award for Outstanding Musical, among other honors.

Visit www.thirteen.org for more information.