Wiki Page, Oklahoma High School- Drama/Theatre Course (OK Art Tech): 1.3 Introduction to Oklahoma Theatre

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2025-03-06T08:26:13-06:00

Introduction to Oklahoma Theatre

Oklahoma! the Musical

Not many states can say they have a musical named after them, but Oklahoma can! The musical Oklahoma! was adapted from a play written by Oklahoma native Lynn Riggs and opened on March 31, 1943, on Broadway in New York. Audiences were surprised by Oklahoma! because it didn't follow the standard musical formula. It included dialogue in the songs, and dancing added a dramatic element. The original production ran for over 2,200 performances on Broadway, closing in 1948. Oklahoma! has been produced many times since the original, both on and off-Broadway, including national tours. In 1953, Governor Johnston Murray signed a bill that made the title song of the production our official state song.

Watch the video below to see Oklahoma's official state song being performed in the 1955 movie adaptation of Oklahoma!

Video: Oklahoma! - Oklahoma (1955)

Restored Cinema Footage (2017, Sep 3). Oklahoma! - Oklahoma 1955. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/XdymQslE1xs?si=hzKv5PEMxoiPQI8X

Click on the button at the bottom of the video to access the closed captions.

Guiding Questions

Discuss the following questions with a partner. If you don't have a partner, write your answers on paper.

1. What did you observe in the video?

2. Do you like musicals?

3. How is this film from 1955 different from films made today?