Oklahoma!
20th
- 24th April 2010
The Story
The show is set in the Indian territory at the turn of the century when cattlemen and farmers were fighting over fences and water rights. In the middle of that controversy are two more rivalries. One between a cowboy called Curly and a hired hand named Jud, both in love with Laurey. The second involves Ado Annie, Will and Ali Hakim, a trio that will provide plenty of laughs.
A ranch hand encounters Aunt Eller and Laurey. Curly and Laurey have a secret passion for one another but they are too nervous to admit their feelings to one another. Curly expresses his feelings on how he would like to take Laurey to the box social that night.
Meanwhile Will Parker has just returned from Kansas City. He along with other cowboys tell stories of the modern city to the on looking ladies. Will is in fact in love with Ado Annie who herself is involved with a travelling salesman, Ali Hakim. Annie and Will finally get together and Ali is married (nearly at the point of a gun) to Gertie.
Curly is upset to discover that Laurey has asked Jud Fry, a menacing field hand, to take her to the box social. To see what the fuss is over Jud, Curly makes a trip over to his smoke house. Laurey is now uncertain and she wishes she had not asked Jud Fry, and asked Curly instead.
At the box social onlookers bid on hampers containing home made food. When it comes to Laurey's hamper, Jud and Curly both fight over bids. Curly wins after selling all he owns and later Jud runs off with Laurey who, frustrated, fires him and breaks down.
When Curly comes to her rescue they admit their love for each other. Three weeks later, they are married and Jud re appers. Curly frantically fights him and Jud falls on his own knife. Curly is announced not guilty in a court and the show ends happily as Laurey and Curly ride off in their surrey with the fringe on top.
The music and lyrics have proven to be some of the best in musical theatre with songs that include "Oh What a Beautiful Morning", "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top", People Will Say We're in Love, "I Can't Say No", "Oklahoma! and many more, making this a musical treat for all the family.
FactfileOklahoma! broke all box office records when it opened in 1943. As the first musical to tell a story with music, dance and lyrics, Oklahoma! forever changed the form of musical theatre.It is considered by many to be the first musical comedy to have a plot, musical score and dances that were necessary ingredients to advance the story line. Oklahoma! was the first collaboration between Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II. Oklahoma! was the first musical to have its entire score recorded, thus creating the original cast album. Oklahoma! won the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 1944. Oklahoma! was the first show choreographed by Agnes de Mille. Oklahoma! was the longest running musical during it's day. It held the record for 15 years, until it was taken over by My Fair Lady!! Original Cast Included: Betty Garde, Alfred Drake, Joan Roberts, Joseph Buloff, Celeste Holm, Howard Da Silva, Lee Dixon, Joan McCracken, Bambi Linn, George S. Irving, George Church, Ralph Riggs, Marc Platt & Katharine Sergava Oklahoma! was the first musical to have a single-word title ending with an exclamation mark! ... Or was it? |
The Oklahoma! Cast |
|
| Aunt Eller | Jane O’ Sullivan |
| Curly | Mark Freeman |
| Laurey | Siobhan McMahon |
| Will Parker | Ian Blackmore |
| Jud Fry | Tim Shepherd |
| Ado Annie | Katy Kinsella |
| Ali Hakim | Kevin Summers |
| Gertie Cummings | Roz Hall |
| Andrew Carnes | Rodney Wright |
| Ike | Adrian Taylor |
| Cord Elam | Gregor Thomson |
| Fred | Stephen Gadd |
| Slim | Chris Hampton |
| Dancing Jud | Kevin Summers |
| Dancing Curly | Adrian Taylor |
| Dancing Laurey | Roz Hall |
Farmers and Cowmen |
Wives and Daughters |
| Barry Syder | Alicia Marson |
| David Skipp | Amy Blaskett |
| Grahame Gibson | Angela Baker |
| Gregor Thomson | Cat Ward |
| Hilton Carr | Charlotte Taylor |
| Jonathan Wilson | Chrissie Tomkin |
| Philip Chadwell | Daisy O’Sullivan |
| Stephen Gadd | Elesa Bussey |
| Stephen Tomkin | Gill Tanner |
| Vernon Jennings | Jackie Shepherd |
| June Randall | |
| Lisa Falkner | |
| Loraine Underwood | |
| Lynn Andrews | |
| Nicola Wilson | |
| Sarah Taylor | |
| Yvonne Mavrelos-Varney | |
