Theater Emory Presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s
“OKLAHOMA!”
Music by Richard Rodgers
Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Based on the play “Green Grow the Lilacs” by Lynn Riggs
Original Dances by Agnes de Mille

ATLANTA, Ga., (March 10, 2010) - Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “OKLAHOMA!” will be presented in its original style in a fully-staged production by Theater Emory featuring live choral and orchestral accompaniment led by Scott Stewart, choreography by George Staib and the talent of some of Atlanta and Emory’s beloved actors. This classic American musical, set in a Western territory in the early 1900s, presents the love story of Curly, the handsome cowboy, and Laurey, a winsome farm girl.

 “OKLAHOMA!” runs April 1-11, 2010, in the Mary Gray Munroe Theater in the Dobbs University Center of Emory University. Tickets ($20 public; $16 patrons over 65, WABE members, non-Emory students, and other discount category members; Emory students $6) are available from the Arts at Emory box office at 404-727-5050 or www.arts.emory.edu.

“The show is so iconic that people tend to joke about it, but it really turned the American musical on its head,” explains Theater Emory’s Artistic Director John Ammerman, who is directing the production. After opening in 1943 at the St. James Theater, “OKLAHOMA!” ran for an impressive 2,212 performances. The musical, based on Lynn Riggs' 1931 play, “Green Grow the Lilacs,” was the first collaboration between Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein. “OKLAHOMA!” defined the American musical and is considered a historical turning point. In 1944 the Pulitzer Prize jury honored its significance by creating and awarding the musical an Arts Special Citations Pulitzer Prize. Much like the original staging, Theater Emory’s production will present a full orchestra, a large cast and an accompanying chorus to transport the audience to Ammerman’s vision of “bright, sunny, ‘OKLAHOMA!’”

The cast of 23 will showcase professional actors Zechariah Pierce (Curly); Kathleen McManus (Aunt Eller); Scott DePoy (Ike); Ronn K. Smith (Carnes); Michael Strauss (Cord); Adam Fristoe (Sam); and Denise Arribas (Aggie); as well as student actors Claire Rigsby (Laurey); Rebecca Lipman (Ado Annie); Joshua Izaak (Will Parker); John Casavant (Ali Hakim); and Andrew Allen (Jud Fry). Additionally, a supporting cast of students and professionals will compliment the featured artists. 

Emory Music faculty member Scott Stewart is the musical director and conductor and Emory Dance Program faculty George Staib is the choreographer. The production’s design team includes set designer Sara Ward, costume designer Marianne Martin, lighting designer Joseph Monaghan III, sound designer Robert Turner and properties master Cat Babb.

For this production Theater Emory will change their typical evening performance time from7 p.m. to 8 p.m., and will add a special Easter performance at 5 p.m. Free parking is available in Peavine and Fishburne Parking Decks. For Theater Emory information, visit www.theater.emory.edu .