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Oklahoma! 1943

Ages: 12+
Opened: March 31, 1943

Oklahoma! - 1943 Broadway History , Info & More

Emerson Colonial Theatre
106 Boylston St. Boston, MA 02116

Green Grow the Lilacs. Play by Lynn Riggs.

On a farm in frontier Oklahoma, Laurey and Curley are obviously in love but conceal their feelings from each other by fighting. At a box social, their feelings become more complicated as another expresses interest in Laurey.


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OKLAHOMA! Opened on Broadway on this Day in 1943
by Blair Ingenthron - Mar 31, 2024


Oklahoma! opened at the St. James Theatre on March 31st, 1943. The musical, with music by Richard Rodgers and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, was based on Lynn Rigg's 1930 play 'Green Grow the Lilacs.'

What Was the Golden Age of Broadway?
by Team BWW - Feb 19, 2022


We're studying up on musical theatre's most glorious time- the Golden Age. What was the Golden Age of Broadway all about and what years did it cover? Learn all about the period which began in the 1940s and produced some of the most iconic musicals.

TOP 10: Lo mejor de Richard Rodgers
by Nuria Pedret - Jun 28, 2021


Con motivo del aniversario del compositor americano, que es uno de los únicos EGOT, queremos hacer un repaso de sus obras más conocidas.

BWW Flashback: Relive the Career Highlights of Stage and Screen Legend Celeste Holm
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 29, 2021


This could be your week to own a piece of history from one of the brightest stars of Broadway's Golden Age. Doyle will feature pieces from the Celeste Holm Collection as a special section of the inaugural Stage & Screen auction benefitting The Actors Fund.

BWW Blog: Rating Rodgers & Hammerstein's Musical Collaborations
by Student Blogger: Brenton Kniess - Nov 2, 2020


The collaboration of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein has created some of the best musicals in musical theatre history, as well as written some of the most iconic go to audition songs

The 101 Greatest Musical Theatre Characters (1940-2020)
by Peter Nason - Apr 30, 2020


BWW Reviewer Peter Nason chooses the best musical theatre characters from 1940-2020; see if your favorites are on our list of the best characters from Broadway musicals.

GREAT WHITE WAY: RACE AND THE BROADWAY MUSICAL (2nd Ed.) Now Released
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 13, 2020


Broadway musicals are one of America's most beloved art forms and play to millions of people each year. But what do these shows, which are often thought to be just frothy entertainment, really have to say about our country and who we are as a nation?

Ken LeRoy, Original Bernardo in WEST SIDE STORY, Dies at 92
by Stephi Wild - Aug 31, 2019


BroadwayWorld has learned that Ken LeRoy recently passed away at age 92. No other details of his death are known at this time.

Town & Country Players Present Rodgers & Hammerstein's OKLAHOMA!
by Stephi Wild - Jul 14, 2019


Despite being located a few short miles from Highland Farm where Oscar Hammerstein wrote Oklahoma!, Town & Country Players has never before staged a full production of this classic. Oklahoma! was the first collaboration between Rodgers (music) and Hammerstein (book and lyrics) and the cast and creative team are more than a little excited to present the show in the Barn Theater. Director Jon Knapp considers Oklahoma! one of his favorite shows (if not his favorite) show. He confessed that inscribed in his wedding band are the words 'Let people say we're in love,' so clearly the show holds a special place in his heart. And while he has been in Oklahoma! many times, he is thrilled to be 'taking the reins' as the director this time. Knapp explained that while not doing a completely reimagined version as is being done in New York City right now, the T&C version does focus on the drama and in particular the love triangle between Laurey, Curly and Jud with Jud being a bit more prominent as Jud is portrayed as a 'viable' option to Curly.

Photo Coverage: 92Y Lyrics & Lyricists Celebrates OKLAHOMA! at 75
by Stephen Sorokoff - May 6, 2019


When Ted Chapin 92Y Lyrics & Lyricists producer first conceived A Beautiful Dawning Oklahoma! at 75 he didn't know that there would be a revival of the 1943 musical currently on Broadway and garnering 8 Tony Award nominations. 

UN DIA COMO HOY: Se estrena OKLAHOMA en Broadway
by Andrea Incera - Mar 30, 2018


El 31 de Marzo de 1943 se estrenaba el musical OKLAHOMA en el St. James Theatre de Broadway.

Upcoming Theater Auditions in the Nashville Area 7/27/17
by Jeffrey Ellis - Jul 27, 2017


Looking for a challenging role or to embark upon a new onstage adventure? Here is the latest audition information to come to the BroadwayWorld Nashville newsdesk.

Upcoming Nashville Theater Auditions (7/20/17)
by Jeffrey Ellis - Jul 20, 2017


Looking for a challenging role or to embark upon a new onstage adventure? Here is the latest audition information to come to the BroadwayWorld Nashville newsdesk.

BWW Review: Riverside Center Presents Tuneful SOME ENCHANTED EVENING of Rodgers and Hammerstein Favorites
by Jeffrey Walker - Jun 14, 2017


A starry night, with a huge moon looking down, is the perfect setting for an evening of songs that have become part of musical theatre history. This is the look and the sound of SOME ENCHANTED EVENING, now running through July 16, 2017, at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, just south of DC off of I-95.

ATG Selected to Operate Emerson Colonial Theatre in a Partnership with Emerson College
by BWW News Desk - Jan 9, 2017


The Emerson Colonial Theatre Is The Latest Addition To Atg's Portfolio Of 47 Theatrical Venues Worldwide.

BWW Review: ANNIE GET YOUR GUN at Musical Theater Heritage
by Alan Portner - Apr 4, 2016


Musical Theatre Heritage returns to its radio roots with a revival of the 1946 Irving Berlin musical play, 'Annie Get Your Gun.' This MTH production stars the huge voice of Shelby Floyd in the title role of Annie Oakley. Baritone Sam Wright plays Annie's true life husband Frank Butler. Jim Korinke, a long time respected Kansas City actor, is the immortal Buffalo Bill Cody.

Bucks County Playhouse's 2015 Oscar Hammerstein Festival to Celebrate Stephen Sondheim This Fall
by BWW News Desk - Aug 17, 2015


Bucks County Playhouse producers Robyn Goodman and Alexander Fraser just announced the 2nd Annual Oscar Hammerstein Festival -- named in honor of the master lyricist who wrote some of America's most beloved and recognizable musicals at his family farm in Bucks County.

Mary Testa and More Lead Bard SummerScape's Intimate OKLAHOMA!, Beginning Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Jun 25, 2015


The Bard SummerScape festival presents an entirely new way to experience Oklahoma!, Rodgers and Hammerstein's quintessential celebration of the American frontier

BWW Feature: Celebrate 'The Lusty Month of May' with 10 Hot-Blooded Showtunes
by Jeffrey Walker - May 25, 2015


The Lusty Month of May; like the song says: 'It's time to do a wicked thing or two!' It's May, the time when spring brings that hot-blooded, four letter word: lust. Musicals have had a steady history of lusty musical numbers. There are songs about rolling in the hay, and others extolling the virtues of different (ahem) flavors of man-candy. Some songs are paens to hot, steamy nights, and some are about what you do on those kind of nights. 

Mary Testa and More to Lead Bard SummerScape's Intimate OKLAHOMA! This Summer
by Tyler Peterson - May 4, 2015


The Bard SummerScape festival presents an entirely new way to experience Oklahoma!, Rodgers and Hammerstein's quintessential celebration of the American frontier

Marin Mazzie Joins 'GETTING TO KNOW YOU' Benefit at Bucks County Playhouse Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Sep 27, 2014


Bucks County Playhouse Producers Robyn Goodman and Alexander Fraser are thrilled to welcome the addition of Broadway's beloved Marin Mazzie to the cast of GETTING TO KNOW YOU: An Enchanted Evening of Oscar Hammerstein II, the Today night benefit concert of the inaugural Oscar Hammerstein Festival.

Laura Osnes, Santino Fontana and More Set for Bucks County Playhouse's OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN FESTIVAL This Weekend
by BWW News Desk - Sep 26, 2014


Bucks County Playhouse Producers Robyn Goodman and Alexander Fraser announce the launch of a musical theatre development program focusing on the importance of lyrics in the creation of new musicals: The Oscar Hammerstein Festival - named in honor of the master writer whose countless accomplishments during his illustrious career include having mentored a young Stephen Sondheim at Hammerstein's Bucks County farm -- is a year-long program that offers expert mentorship to early career composers and lyricists. The Oscar Hammerstein Festival will culminate in a weekend with musical theatre experts, artists, and enthusiasts and various events open to the general public. The Festival will launch this weekend, September 26 - 28, 2014.

Marin Mazzie Joins 'GETTING TO KNOW YOU' Benefit at Bucks County Playhouse This Month
by BWW News Desk - Sep 11, 2014


Bucks County Playhouse Producers Robyn Goodman and Alexander Fraser are thrilled to welcome the addition of Broadway's beloved Marin Mazzie to the cast of GETTING TO KNOW YOU: An Enchanted Evening of Oscar Hammerstein II, the Saturday night benefit concert of the inaugural Oscar Hammerstein Festival.

Laura Osnes, Santino Fontana and More Set for Bucks County Playhouse's OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN FESTIVAL, Beg. 9/26
by BWW News Desk - Aug 28, 2014


Bucks County Playhouse Producers Robyn Goodman and Alexander Fraser announce the launch of a musical theatre development program focusing on the importance of lyrics in the creation of new musicals: The Oscar Hammerstein Festival - named in honor of the master writer whose countless accomplishments during his illustrious career include having mentored a young Stephen Sondheim at Hammerstein's Bucks County farm -- is a year-long program that offers expert mentorship to early career composers and lyricists. The Oscar Hammerstein Festival will culminate in a weekend with musical theatre experts, artists, and enthusiasts and various events open to the general public. The Festival will launch September 26 - 28, 2014.

It's A Grand Night For Singing! BWW Rounds Up the Rodgers & Hammerstein Canon
by BWW Special Coverage - Dec 8, 2013


After NBC's foray into musical theatre with last week's live broadcast of The Sound of Music starring Carrie Underwood, and with Laura Osnes' Cinderella sashaying on the Great White Way, the continued sway of Broadway composer-lyricist duo Rodgers & Hammerstein is unmistakable. In honor of their legacy, BroadwayWorld has rounded up some of the highlights of the Rodgers & Hammerstein cannon.

Oklahoma! History

Other Productions of Oklahoma!

1943   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
1943   US Tour 1st National Tour
US Tour
1947   West End London Production
West End
1951   Broadway Return Engagement [Broadway]
Broadway
1951   US Tour National Tour
US Tour
1952   US Tour National Tour
US Tour
1953   Broadway Off-Broadway Revival
Broadway
1958   Off-Broadway City Center Revival
Off-Broadway
1963   Off-Broadway City Center Revival
Off-Broadway
1965   Off-Broadway City Center Revival
Off-Broadway
1969   Broadway Lincoln Center Revival
Broadway
1979   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1980   West End London Revival
West End
1992   Milburn, NJ (Regional) Paper Mill Production
Milburn, NJ (Regional)
1998   West End Royal National Theatre Production
West End
2002   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
2015   St. Louis, MO (Regional) The Muny 2015 Production
St. Louis, MO (Regional)
2018   Off-Broadway St. Ann's Warehouse Production
Off-Broadway
2019   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
2020   US Tour Broadway Revival tour
US Tour
2023   West End
West End

Oklahoma! - 1943 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1980 Olivier Awards Most Promising Newcomer of the Year in Theatre Alfred Molina
1947 Theatre World Awards Performance Dorothea MacFarland

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