Overview
Synopsis
The first collaboration of famed partners Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, Oklahoma! set the American musical theatre standard. Set in Western Indian Territory just after the turn of the 20th Century, the spirited rivalry between the local farmers and cowboys provides the backdrop for the love story between Curly, a handsome cowboy, and Laurey, a beautiful farm girl. The road to true love is anything but smooth, but there is no doubt that these two romantics will succeed in making a life together. As the road to romance and the road to statehood converge, Curly and Laurey are poised to spend their new life together in a brand new state: O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A - OKLAHOMA!
Show Information
- Book
- Oscar Hammerstein II
- Music
- Richard Rodgers
- Lyrics
- Oscar Hammerstein II
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Green Grow the Lilacs by Lynn Riggs
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1943
- Genres
- Comedy, Dark Comedy, Romance
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- turn of the century, 1900s
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Large
- Dancing
- Heavy
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, High School, Large Cast, Middle School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Religious Groups, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Elderly, Young Adult, Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! marked the dawning of a new era in American musical theatre. It also began the most successful songwriting partnership that Broadway has ever seen.
In 1942, Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart were highly successful, having written musical comedies that were praised for their wit and sophistication. A decade prior, Oscar Hammerstein II enjoyed similar success writing innovative operettas that consistently reshaped the art form. Showboat, his 1927
to read the context for Oklahoma! and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
In 1906, in the Oklahoma territory, a handsome cowboy Curly McLain admires the beautiful morning and looks forward to the wonderful day to come as he wanders into a local farm girl, Laurey Williams’, yard (“Oh What a Beautiful Mornin’”). He and Laurey engage in some innocent flirtation while Laurey’s Aunt Eller keeps a watchful eye. There is going to be a box social dance that evening, during which local girls will be auctioning off baskets to raise money for the local
to read the plot for Oklahoma! and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Ensemble |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
Songs
Act One
- “Oh What a Beautiful Mornin’” - Curly
- “The Surrey with the Fringe on Top” - Laurey, Curly & Aunt Eller
- “Kansas City” - Will Parker, Aunt Eller, Male Ensemble
- “I Cain’t Say No” - Ado Annie
- “Many a New Day” - Laurey and Female Ensemble
- “It’s a Scandal! It’s an Outrage!” - Ali Hakim and Male Ensemble
- “People Will Say We’re in Love” - Laurey and Curly
- “Poor Jud Is Daid” - Curly and Jud Fry
- “Lonely Room” - Jud Fry
- “Out of My Dreams” - Laurey and Female Ensemble
- “Dream Ballet” - Laurey and *Dream Figures
Act Two
- “The Farmer and the Cowman” - Andrew Carnes, Aunt Eller, Curly, Gertie Cummings, Will, Ado Annie, Laurey, Ensemble
- “All Er Nuthin’” - Will and Ado Annie
- “People Will Say We’re in Love" Reprise - Laurey and Curly
- “Oklahoma!” - Curly, Laurey, Aunt Eller, Ensemble
- “Finale Ultimo” (“Oh What a Beautiful Mornin”, “People Will Say We’re in Love”) - Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A classical dance form used in theatre for expressive movement, storytelling, and interdisciplinary performance.
The art of designing and arranging movement sequences for theatrical dance and physical storytelling.
A non-literal theatrical scene representing a character's inner thoughts, fears, or desires, often surreal in style.
A period of artistic flourishing, often referring to 1940s-60s Broadway or English Renaissance theatre. This term plays a vital role in understanding theatrical structure and is commonly encountered in stagecraft or performance settings.
Broadway musicals from the 1940s–60s, known for integrating plot and song, such as *Oklahoma!* and *The Sound of Music*.
A staple of musical theatre where the protagonist expresses a deep personal desire, setting the emotional tone for the narrative.
Short for 'legitimate theatre,' referring to traditional stage drama as opposed to musical or commercial performance. The term is also used to describe a classical vocal tone suitable for operatic or legit musical theatre roles.
A new production of a previously performed play or musical, often reinterpreting its themes or updating its design.
A production created to showcase the talents of a specific star performer, often tailored to their strengths.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Quote Analysis
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.