{"id":3665,"date":"2018-06-13T19:40:05","date_gmt":"2018-06-13T19:40:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theatreworldbackdrops.com\/blog\/?p=3665"},"modified":"2020-08-27T15:16:07","modified_gmt":"2020-08-27T19:16:07","slug":"oklahoma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theatreworldbackdrops.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/3665\/oklahoma\/","title":{"rendered":"Oklahoma – Going Beyond the Script"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Going Beyond the Script<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Oklahoma<\/em> Backdrops<\/a> <\/em>and Scenery Perspectives<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Written by: Melanie Simmons<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 1940\u2019s, especially post-World War II, American musical theater trended strongly towards nostalgic themes. Broadway drew in audiences by embracing the American spirit, and Oklahoma!<\/em> was among the first to set the standard. Oklahoma!<\/em> was the very first musical penned by what would become the legendary team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The musical opened on Broadway in 1943 and, by the time it closed, it boasted a record-setting 2,000 performances and multiple awards. (Including a Pulitzer Prize!) It has been reproduced countless times domestically and abroad, and its film adaptation won Oscars as well. The show has become an enduring national treasure. In the face of modern political uncertainty, there\u2019s no better time to bring this sentimental tale to your own stage! <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oklahoma’s Plot<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The story of Oklahoma!<\/em> is a simple one: country girl Laurey Williams has to choose between two competing and polar opposite suitors. Good-hearted Curly is the boy next door. He tries to win Laurey\u2019s hand, but he bungles his flirtations just enough to keep her on the fence. Meanwhile, brooding loner and farmhand Jud Fry harbors a dark obsession with Laurey, which scares and attracts her at the same time. Act I centers on an upcoming social dance and which boy Laurey will take as her partner. In a feverish dream, Laurey realizes she loves Curly – but she remains too afraid of Jud to back out of his invitation.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Act II, Curly and Jud square off over Laurey\u2019s affections. Everything comes to a head in a tense bidding war, which Curly wins. Furious, Jud tries to kill him (evoking the vision from Laurey\u2019s dream). Ultimately, Jud is foiled, but, later, he tries to confess his love, causing a frightened Laurey to reject and fire him. Jud becomes dangerously unhinged, but Curly comes to the rescue, and, in doing so wins her love. They marry, but it’s not all happily ever after. At a celebration to commemorate the territory\u2019s statehood, Jud shows up and starts a drunken fight with Curly. Jud loses the fight, and his life, leaving Curly and Laurey finally free to start their life together in peace.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oklahoma\u2019s<\/em> simple story works because of the grand setting. The wide open Midwest expanse compliments the sweeping score and arching musical themes, weaving an intoxicating tale that elevates the mundane to mystical. Let\u2019s see how some of the perfectly detailed drops that TheatreWorld has to offer can bring the grandiosity to your own production!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’! The Fields of Oklahoma<\/h2>\n\n\n