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Why see Oklahoma!?

OH! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL REVIVAL

Nominated for Best Musical Theater Album at the 2020 Grammy Awards!

Beautiful mornings beckon once more for Bard SummerStage's highly acclaimed interpretation of Roger's and Hammerstein's quintessential 1943 American musical, Oklahoma! Following sold-out engagements at St. Ann's Warehouse, this production configured for today's America is currently enjoying a Broadway transfer, marking the show's first main stem return since 2002. Although recognizable as the beloved and influential show, director Daniel Fish and team have approached the musical with a fresh vision, examining the darker themes that roil below the surface of the romance and innocence of the original, whilst still retaining the optimism and timelessness of the early American Dream in a confection that zings with vibrancy and topicality more now than ever.

Stripped back, with new choreography by John Heginbotham and orchestrations and music from Daniel Kluger, this Oklahoma! invites the audience to immerse themselves in the story further than ever before, presenting the scene as a local jamboree where the narrative unfolds. A seven-piece band provides the music, allowing Rogers and Hammerstein's wit, talent and fundamental understanding of human nature to shine. This exciting and intriguing transfer is certainly one of the season's must-see highlights.

The story of Oklahoma!

An upcoming box social is stirring strong emotions among the population of a small (pre-statehood) Oklahoma town in the early 1900s. Curly McLain has asked farm girl Laurey to accompany him but she has refused, instead of accepting the invitation of the mysterious and sinister farmhand Jud Fry. Laurie's friend Ado Annie is going with her boyfriend Will Parker, but while he's been away she has been seen flirting with Persian pedlar Ali Hakim. On the night of the social, matters come to a head, in a whirlwind of passion, rivalry, jealousy, and fighting. 

A genre-defining classic that is constantly revived, don't miss this reimagining from an innovative and visionary company.

Key Information

Audience

12+

Run Time

Two hours and 45 minutes with one intermission

Dates

Finished Jan 19, 2020

Cast

Will Brill as Ali Hakim
Damon Daunno as Curly McLain
Rebecca Naomi Jones as Laurey
Patrick Vaill as Jud Fry
Ali Stroker as Ado Annie
Mary Testa as Aunt Eller
James Davis as Will Parker
Mitch Tebo as Andrew Carney
Mallory Portnoy as Gertie Cummings
Anthony Cason as Cord Elam
Will Mann as Mike
Lead dancer - Gabrielle Hamilton

Creative

Music by Richard Rodgers
Book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Based on the play Green Grow the Lilacs by Lynn Riggs
Original choreography by Agnes de Mille
Directed by Daniel Fish
Choreography by John Heginbotham
New Music Arrangements by Daniel Kluger

Awards

Tony Awards, 2019 - Wins

Best Revival of a Musical
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical - Ali Stroker

Tony Awards, 2019 - Nominations

Best Revival of a Musical
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical - Damon Daunno
Best Direction of a Musical - Daniel Fish
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical - Ali Stroker
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical - Mary Testa
Best Orchestrations - Daniel Kluger
Best Scenic Design of a Musical - Laura Jellinek
Best Sound Design of a Musical - Drew Levy

DRAMA DESK AWARDS, 2019 - Wins

Outstanding Actress in a Musical - Rebecca Naomi Jones
Outstanding Orchestrations

DRAMA DESK AWARDS, 2019 - NOMINATIONS

Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Outstanding Actor in a Musical - Damon Daunno
Outstanding Actress in a Musical - Rebecca Naomi Jones
Outstanding Director of a Musical - Daniel Fish
Outstanding Orchestrations

GRAMMY AWARDS, 2020 - NOMINATIONS

Best Musical Theater Album


Reviews

Our review

Bold Superb Passionate

Judging by the reactions from a few of the senior citizens leaving the theatre in front of me, Daniel Fish (Director) has certainly made some bold adjustments to the classic musical Oklahoma.

Nicola Quinn

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Customer reviews

2 reviews, average rating: (2.5 Stars)

Walt Wilder

OKLAHOMA!

I saw Oklahoma! on its opening night and its music is still in my head. To be sure, this is not my high school Oklahoma! of the early 60s or even the screen version from some time in that past. The actors in this production are truly an ensemble. The songs and dialogue just flow effortlessly. Even though I require the use of a hearing-enhancing device which are available at St Ann's, the visuals-the dancing, the love stories manifest in gesture and movement, the conflicts erupting in faceoffs and resolution-carry this 75 year story nicely. And though Curly and Laurie are the reputed leads in any production of this musical, in my opinion, the character of Will Parker steals the show. That this Bard Summerscape production was done in North Carolina "as humanly possible" tells you something about this show. And the hot chile and cornbread served at intermission was appreciated. I just wished I could have gotten seconds! ... Read more
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