Composer

:

Richard Rodgers

Genre

:

Musical Theatre

Style

:

Musical Theater

Compose Date

:

1943

First Performance

:

Mar 31, 1943

Average_duration

:

48:29

'Oklahoma!' is a musical that was composed by Richard Rodgers and written by Oscar Hammerstein II. The musical is set in the early 1900s in the Oklahoma Territory and follows the story of a farm girl named Laurey Williams and her romantic relationships with two men, cowboy Curly McLain and farmhand Jud Fry. The musical was first composed in 1943 and premiered on Broadway in 1943. It was an instant success and ran for over 2,200 performances, making it one of the longest-running musicals in Broadway history. The musical was also adapted into a film in 1955, which starred Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones. The musical is known for its use of integrated dance and song numbers, which were a departure from the traditional musicals of the time. The music is characterized by its use of folk and country music, which was a reflection of the setting of the musical. The musical also features several iconic songs, including "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'," "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top," and "People Will Say We're in Love." The musical is divided into two acts, with the first act focusing on the romantic tension between Laurey, Curly, and Jud. The second act focuses on the rivalry between the farmers and the cowboys in the territory, which comes to a head during a dance at a local social. The musical ends with Laurey and Curly finally confessing their love for each other and getting married. Overall, 'Oklahoma!' is a classic musical that has stood the test of time. Its use of integrated dance and song numbers, iconic music, and memorable characters have made it a beloved musical for generations.

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