Oklahoma!
Most every Oklahoman has seen the show, has sung the lyrics or at least knows of its existence. “Oklahoma!,” the plucky love story written by the illustrious Rodgers and Hammerstein, is a beloved classic musical that helped to change the way musicals were written. It has won numerous awards, been revived multiple times and performed all over the world. But nowhere is it more beloved than right here in Green Country, home to Discoveryland, dubbed the “National Home of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!” by Mary Rodgers, daughter of Richard Rodgers, and William Hammerstein, son of Oscar Hammerstein II. The show focuses on the strength of community and good conquering the not so good. But, the newest revival, set to grace the Chapman stage this month, is a very different tale. Daniel Fish, the director of this revival has known of this musical, remembered its songs and lyrics, and recognized its historical significance for quite some time. But when he picked up the script, ready to 12
Ma y / Ju n e 2022 I N T E R MISSION
direct his own version, a different story leapt from the pages. Fish says: “We tried to treat it like a new work. ... If we didn’t know anything about ‘Oklahoma!,’ how would we treat it today? We tried not to make any assumptions about how it has been done in the past. ... I’m a huge fan of the [original]. I think it’s a masterpiece. But we tried to have a very genuine investigation of the words and the music.” He then adds: “If you’re looking for a traditional production of ‘Oklahoma!,” this is not that. ... This is a very diverse cast in terms of their race, in terms of the gender, in terms of their backgrounds. So, in some small way we are trying to be open to difference, to see and hear the individual. It’s a kind of an investigation of the nature of the individual and the community and the community’s need to define an outsider in order to define itself. And that’s part of the piece; that’s not something I’m imposing into it. It’s absolutely in Oscar Hammerstein’s language.” By taking a fresh look at the lines and lyrics, Fish and his team found an
entirely new meaning in this beloved work. As he says, this is not a traditional production. The words are the same, but the message behind them is quite different. As an Oklahoman, it seems necessary to point out: This piece is not a study on Oklahoma nor Oklahomans. Fish has never been to Oklahoma and does not seem to see this production as strictly Oklahoman. That just happens to be the setting of this tale about people. In order to ensure that all could experience the show, Fish and his team even created a lottery system to get as many people as possible, particularly those who might not have already been interested, into the seats. We hope you’ll join us to see this beloved show in an entirely new light.
Oklahoma! Presented by Celebrity Attractions June 17 at 8 p.m. June 18 at 2 and 8 p.m. June 19 at 1 p.m. CHAPMAN MUSIC HALL
Little Fang Photo
The cast of “Oklahoma!” on Broadway.
