Press Release
April 5, 2018
Contact: Larry O’Dell
Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 405-522-6676
lodell@okhistory.org
www.okhistory.org
Musical Program Celebrates the 75th Anniversary of “Oklahoma!”
OKLAHOMA CITY — On Thursday, April 26, the Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) and Oklahoma City University (OCU) will present the musical program “Celebrating ‘Oklahoma!’ at 75.” To mark the 75th anniversary of the Broadway debut of “Oklahoma!” students from the OCU Wanda L. Bass School of Music will perform songs from the musical.
“Oklahoma!” was the first collaboration of renowned musical theatre duo Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!” was based on “Green Grow the Lilacs,” written by Oklahoman Lynn Riggs. The program will include music from “Green Grow the Lilacs” as it traces the story of “Oklahoma!” from folk play to hit Broadway musical.
Mark Parker, dean of the Schools of Music and Theatre at OCU, will explore the history and influence of the landmark musical. Parker participated in the musical’s 50th anniversary events as the conductor for a multistop tour of Asia with performers from OCU. The troupe included Broken Arrow native Kristin Chenoweth, then an OCU student. This program will feature a special video by Chenoweth.
“Celebrating ‘Oklahoma!’ at 75” will be held at the Oklahoma History Center, and is open to the public. The Oklahoma History Center is located at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive in Oklahoma City. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the program begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available now and can be purchased by calling 405-522-0317. Tickets are $40 for tier one seating, $25 for tier two, and $15 for tier three. OHS members can purchase tier two tickets for the discounted rate of $20. Tier one tickets include a commemorative book by Governor George Nigh and Bob Burke. This program is part of the OHS 2018 Annual History Conference activities.
The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.
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