The Show
A dark, modern revival of the 1943 Rogers & Hammerstein masterpiece, Daniel Fish's bold, brilliant version of Oklahoma! is playing at Wyndham's Theatre in the West End. Set in a tiny rural community at the turn of the 20th Century, Oklahoma! is the story of Laurie Williams, a strong-willed farm girl who finds herself in at the centre of tense battle for her affections between charismatic cowboy Curly McLain and farmhand Jud Fry, a strange and dangerous outcast. While remaining faithful to the original musical's script and iconic songs, Daniel Fish's contemporary, expressionistic restaging offers a radical re-interpretation of the folksy classic. Fish offers a scaled-down, intimate staging that plays to the story's romantic tension, and casts a deeply sympathetic light on disturbed loner Jud that, in the words of one critic, 'alters the whole balance of the show.' Timeless songs like 'Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'' and 'Kansas City' take on whole new meaning in this exciting, modern context, resulting in a powerful and affecting musical achievement that will leave you stunned.
History of Oklahoma!
Directed by Rouben Mamoulian and written by showbiz legends Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein (of The Sound of Music fame), Oklahoma! premiered in 1943 on Broadway, where it was met with unprecedented critical and commercial success - the show ran for 5 years and over 2000 performances. It was one of the first 'integrated' musicals, melding song, dance and dialogue, and its impact is such that theatre historian Thomas Hischak described the show as 'the single most influential work in the American musical theatre.' Daniel Fish's revival is the latest in a long series of tours and revivals, and delves deep into the show's rich social themes.
Awards and What the Critics Say
This audacious new production of Oklahoma! has stunned audiences and critics since its premiere in 2019. Sarah Crompton of The Independent 'was knocked out by its intensity, its bravery, and by the way it presented a musical that had always seemed to be a slightly cheesy celebration of the pioneer spirit as something both much more vital and questioning.' In its many production runs, Oklahoma! has won dozens of prestigious awards in the years since its Broadway debut, and Fish's revival is no exception: its 2019 Broadway run was nominated for 7 Tony Awards, and won 2, including Best Revival of a Musical and Best Performance by a Lead Actress in a Musical.
Why Book London Theatre Tickets to See Oklahoma?
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Interesting Facts About Oklahoma!
Notable actors who have appeared in Oklahoma! over the years include Hugh Jackman (as Curly) and Ocean's 11's Alfred Molina, who won the Lawrence Olivier Award for Most Promising Newcomer for his performance as Jud in 1980. In addition to its multiple Tony and Olivier Award nominations, Oklahoma! was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album in 2020.
