It's hard to imagine Oklahoma! by Rodgers & Hammerstein is turning 80 this year.
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Based on Lynn Riggs' 1931 play, Green Grow the Lilacs, the musical is an exciting love story with fighting, trickery, and of course, the great state of Oklahoma. Curly and Laurey, the main characters, love each other although they will not admit it. The cast is full of crazy characters: tough Aunt Eller with a big heart; sneaky travelling peddler Ali; a mysterious farmhand Jud who wants to marry Laurey; and Annie, who is in love with every boy.
When Hugh Jackman took the role of Curly in the 1998 London production - directed by Trevor Nunn and choreographed by Susan Stroman - he found his musical breakout.
At the time, Variety said it was hard to imagine a more immediately charming Curly.
"(Jackman) is as pliable, the staging suggests, as Jud is rigidly doomed, and Jackman makes an appealing (and beautifully sung) case for a man who won't be left behind by the winds of change in 'this here crazy country'."
The production was filmed and will be screened in more than 800 cinemas around the globe for two days only, on Sunday, July 16 and Wednesday, July 19 - including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Norway and Australia.
Watchers will see a young(er) Hugh Jackman, plus Maureen Lipman as Aunt Eller, Josefina Gabrielle as Laurie, Tony and Olivier Award winner Shuler Hensley as Jud Fry, Vicki Simon as Ado Annie, Jimmy Johnston as Will Parker and Peter Polycarpou as Ali Hakim.
The production, which is now 25 years old, features some of the most delightfully hummable songs by the legendary team of composer Richard Rodgers and librettist/lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II, including Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin', The Surrey with the Fringe on Top, People Will Say We're in Love and the joyous title tune, Oklahoma.
The creative team includes set and costume designer Anthony Ward, lighting designer David Hersey, music director John Owen Edwards and orchestrator Robert Russell Bennett, with additional orchestrations by William David Brohn and new dance music arranged by David Krane.
The film has been released in a partnership between Trafalgar Releasing, Concord Originals and The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization.
On behalf of the Organization, Concord Theatrical's Imogen Lloyd Webber said the production is recognised as a theatrical landmark.
"It was the first successful, truly unified musical - a seamless integration of song, story and dance. This 1998 production masterfully combined those three elements, and the resulting film is a treasure trove for musical theatre fans of all ages," she said.
Concord Original's Sophia Dilley said the company couldn't be more proud to champion this anniversary re-release.
"This musical is the living, breathing proof that important works will find and impact multiple generations in meaningful ways," she said.
Trafalgar Releasing's Kymberli Frueh said the anniversary was a chance to share a "quintessential slice of Americana" with global fans.
"This particular production is acknowledged as one of the best through the eight decades of performances in theatres around the world. All the talent in this classic version of Oklahoma! hit their mark brilliantly and musical theatre fans can experience for themselves why it is credited with launching Hugh Jackman's stage career. We're proud to be a part of this momentous anniversary".
To find a participating cinema and screening time near you, click here.
