Rodgers & Hammerstein’s
OKLAHOMA! Music by Richard Rodgers Book & Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II Based on the play Green Grow the Lilacs by Lynn Riggs Original choreography by Agnes de Mille
DANIEL EVANS AND KATHY BOURNE PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHAN PERSSON
WELCOME
It is well-known that Oklahoma! is the musical that changed the face of musical theatre as we currently know it. Its combination of infectious, soaring melodies and a witty, integrated and dramatic libretto has arguably never been surpassed. Therefore, it is with great joy that we welcome you to this new production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s masterpiece on the Festival Theatre stage. Movingly, in his programme essay, Todd Purdum recounts the story of a battle-scarred GI singing ‘Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’; and we’re sure we’ll be hearing it being hummed around Chichester in the coming weeks. Equally adept at directing, writing, translating and composing, director Jeremy Sams is the only person to have had a production he’d co-written – A Damsel in Distress – playing in the Festival Theatre, while directing another production – The Rehearsal, which he’d also translated – in the Minerva.
We’re thrilled that he is at the helm of this brand new staging, along with an outstanding creative team including set designer Robert Jones, costume designer Brigitte Reiffenstuel, choreographer Matt Cole and, in charge of all the music, Nigel Lilley. We are also delighted to welcome Josie Lawrence who is making a long overdue Chichester debut as Aunt Eller. Around her, Jeremy has assembled an extraordinary young cast, many of whom are very recent graduates, including Hyoie O’Grady and Amara Okereke who play Curly and Laurey respectively. Remember their names: we feel sure that they, and many of their fellow company members, are the stars of the future. As we enter the season of sunshine and picnics, do join us on 20 July when our community singers will lead a choral celebration of Rodgers and Hammerstein, Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’, and on 15 August for a Hoedown Hop and Oklahoma!-themed picnic for all ages. We hope you enjoy this performance.
Executive Director Kathy Bourne
cft.org.uk
Artistic Director Daniel Evans
A U T U M N 2 019
John Simm Dervla Kirwan
MACBETH By William Shakespeare Paul Miller directs John Simm and Dervla Kirwan in this contemporary production of Shakespeare’s great tragedy.
21 September – 26 October #Macbeth
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10 TICKETS FROM
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A U T U M N 2 019
THE BUTTERFLY LION By Michael Morpurgo In a new adaptation by Anna Ledwich Director Dale Rooks combines music, design and puppetry to bring Michael Morpurgo’s magical adventure to life: celebrating friendship and the triumph of love. Ages 7+
5 October – 15 November #TheButterflyLion
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LEAP
LEARNING, EDUCATION AND PARTICIPATION Our Learning, Education and Participation department works with people of all ages and abilities, offering opportunities to get involved with CFT beyond the work you see on our stages. A wide range of practical workshops, talks, tours and performances aims to excite and inspire everyone who takes part.
COMMUNITY
CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE
Enjoy developing artistic, personal and social skills through our workshops, projects, productions and award-winning Youth Theatre for young people of all abilities. Chichester Festival Youth Theatre | Holiday Activities | Arts Award
EDUCATION
Our work with local schools, colleges and universities is designed to inspire and enrich students’ learning, while the next generation of arts professionals is nurtured through our training and apprenticeships programme. In-school workshops and projects | Work Experience | School Theatre Days
Learn about life behind the scenes, discover more about productions, develop creative skills, socialise and share experiences with others through workshops and community projects for anyone aged 18 +. Get Into It! workshops | Talks and Discussions | Heritage projects | Dementia Friendly activities
FAMILIES
We’re always delighted to welcome our youngest visitors and their grown-ups to the Theatre. Families can explore and have fun with workshops, productions, events and activities. Family Foyle sessions | Little Notes | Fun Palaces | Family workshops
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Rodgers & Hammerstein’s
OKLAHOMA! Music by Richard Rodgers Book & Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II Based on the play Green Grow the Lilacs by Lynn Riggs Original choreography by Agnes de Mille
INVISIBLE VOICES The Oklahomans of Oklahoma!
GERONIMO’S LAST BUFFALO. GERONIMO STANDING OVER DEAD BUFFALO, WITH NATIVE MEN AND BOYS IN CEREMONIAL DRESS FORT SILL, OKLAHOMA, c1906 IMAGE COURTESY OF EVERETT COLLECTION / BRIDGEMAN IMAGES
Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II’s Oklahoma! opened on Broadway on 31 March 1943, enjoying wide critical acclaim and more than 2,000 performances. Based on playwright Lynn Riggs’s 1931 play, Green Grow the Lilacs (after the American folk song of the same name), the Theatre Guild commissioned the duo to create what American critic Lewis Nichols called a ‘folk opera’, with a cohesive book and score in which the songs arose from the plot, and with artful ballets choreographed by Agnes de Mille.
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s first collaboration established a sense of what the American Frontier looked and sounded like for millions of people around the world. Set in Oklahoma Territory (then known as Indian Country) and evoking images of wide open spaces and grazing cattle, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s first collaboration established a sense of what the American frontier looked and sounded like for millions of people around the world. Oklahoma! toured the globe, but one of the most publicised stops was a visit to Oklahoma State on 25 November 1946. Governor Robert S. Kerr declared a state holiday, closing schools and businesses. Big oilmen, cattle farmers and around 3,000 Native Americans from various tribes were invited to participate in the ceremony. Unfortunately, it reportedly came to a halt due to unforeseen rain. The hype generated ahead of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s visit did, however, demonstrate the emotional and commercial significance the production held for the people of Oklahoma. The title number was adopted as the official state song in 1953.