Oklahoma!
The Westview Jr./Sr. High School
Music Department will present Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! on
November 8, 9 and 10.
Students have been hard at work
preparing for the performances
with rehearsals since the beginning
of September. While all roles were
determined by audition, many of these
students have experience from years of
productions, and are very talented in
both singing and acting.
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
many laughs.
Oklahoma! 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 its day. It held the
record for 15 years, until it was taken
over by My Fair Lady.
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.
Above: Sam Anderson as Laurey, being fought over
by Curly and Jud.
Left to right: Aaron Hooley (center) plays Ali
Hakim and Jeanie Miller (left) and Erika Byler
each play Gertie in two of the performances.
Photos Submitted
Dates: Friday, November 8 at 7:30
pm, Saturday, November 9 at 7:30 pm,
and Sunday, November 10 at 2:30 pm
Tickets: $7 (may be purchased by
calling Westview High School at 260768-4146).
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