Oklahoma!

MUSIC by RICHARD RODGERS, BOOK and LYRICS by OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II, BASED on the play Green Grow the Lilacs by LYNN RIGGS

Website: www.rnh.com

Agnes de Mille made history in 1943 with her choreographic work for the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, Oklahoma!. De Mille’s invention of using dance as a means to further the plot as well as the idea of a “Dream Ballet,” to express the underlining psychological forces of the characters historically changed the use of dance in musical theater through the 20th century to today. De Mille’s main choreographic works in Oklahoma! include: “Kansas City,” “Many a New Day,” “The Dream Ballet - Laurey Makes Up Her Mind,” and “The Farmer and the Cowman.” De Mille’s dances for Oklahoma!, have been restaged within full theater productions of the musical. The dances, particularly the “Dream Ballet - Laurey Makes Up Her Mind” may be arranged and performed as a “suite” for dance companies.

Above photo: Pas de deux from “The Dream Ballet - Laurey Makes Up Her Mind,” from Oklahoma!. New York Theatre Ballet. Elena Zahlmann and Terrence Duncan. Photo Credit: Richard Termine/Courtesy of NYTB. Cover photo: Oklahoma! Photo courtesy of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization