If musical theatre is your cup of tea, you won’t want to miss The Richmond Players’ take on Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic, Oklahoma.
Opening at the historic Richmond School of Arts on Saturday, May 2, the production follows two young couples as they journey along the bumpy road to true love.
The romance is set against high-spirited rivalry between farmers and cowboys in a western American territory at the turn of the 20th century.
Oklahoma was the first collaboration between Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein and is considered by many to be the first modern musical in which lyrics serve to develop the characters and advance the story.
Upon initial release, it was seen as a radical departure, as musical comedies were generally a collection of songs held together by flimsy plots and stereotypical characters.
Oklahoma on the other hand depicts memorable, sympathetic characters dealing with serious themes — including the dangerous pull of Jud, the hired farmhand whose personal obsessions boil over in the second act.
Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote some of the best-loved show tunes of all time and many showcased in Oklahoma, from the brightly comical I Can’t Say No, to the serenely pastoral Oh, What A Beautiful Morning and its sparkling follow-up Surrey With A Fringe On Top, and the romantic People Will Say We’re In Love.
The finale is regarded the real highlight of the production, the roof-raising O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A Oklahoma, which is sung by the entire cast.
Bringing the show to life is a large cast and crew from across the region.
The director, Nicholas Noel, and musical director, Naomi Degabriele, have worked together on several musicals in the past, including Jekyll and Hyde for Blacktown City Community Theatre.
Oklahoma opens on Saturday, May 2, at 7.30pm. It will be followed by 2pm matinees and 7.30pm performances on May 9, 16, 23 and 30. Tickets are $20/15 and are available now through the website www.richmondplayers.com.au or by calling 8006 6997.
