Oklahoma in Production
Music: Richard Rodgers
Book/Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II
Based on the book Green Grow the Lilacs by Lynn Riggs
Broadway opening: March 31, 1943
Ran for 5 years (2000+ performances)
1944 Special Pulitzer Prize
1993 Special Tony Award (50th Anniversary) - the Tony Awards had not be created at Oklahoma!'s opening.
Thought to be the 1st Cast Album recorded for distribution. Sold over 1 million copies. Set precedent for cast albums.
Film adaptation made in 1955. Take a look at this promotional appearance from the Ed Sullivan Show - and, yes, that's Richard Rodgers conducting!
Book/Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II
Based on the book Green Grow the Lilacs by Lynn Riggs
Broadway opening: March 31, 1943
Ran for 5 years (2000+ performances)
1944 Special Pulitzer Prize
1993 Special Tony Award (50th Anniversary) - the Tony Awards had not be created at Oklahoma!'s opening.
Thought to be the 1st Cast Album recorded for distribution. Sold over 1 million copies. Set precedent for cast albums.
Film adaptation made in 1955. Take a look at this promotional appearance from the Ed Sullivan Show - and, yes, that's Richard Rodgers conducting!
Production Team
Rouben Mamoulian, Director
Agnes de Mille, Choreographer
Theater Guild, Producer
Lemuel Ayers and Miles White, Design
Robert Russell Bennett, Orchestration
Agnes de Mille, Choreographer
Theater Guild, Producer
Lemuel Ayers and Miles White, Design
Robert Russell Bennett, Orchestration
Reception
Rodgers & Hammerstein
Oklahoma! marks the initiation of the Rodgers & Hammerstein collaboration and the Classic American Musical Theatre form. They wrote 11 musicals and revues together between 1943 and 1959. Both had extremely successful careers with other writing partners before their collaboration.