For two weekends, starting on Friday, May 9th, Home Made Theater will present the classic Broadway musical, Oklahoma!. Based on the play Green Grow the Lilacs by Lynn Riggs, Oklahoma!, originally debuting in 1943, launched a new era in the American musical. It also began the most successful songwriting partnership in Broadway history.
With music by Richard Rodgers and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, Oklahoma!wasn’t just the duo’s first successful stab at breaking into the musical theatre world. Oklahoma! effectively created the Broadway musical as we know it today. The show was groundbreaking because it pioneered the “integrated musical” format, seamlessly blending music, lyrics, plot, and dance to tell a cohesive story, setting a new standard for Broadway musicals and launching the Golden Age of American musical theater.
In a Western territory just after the turn of the 20th century, a high-spirited rivalry between local farmers and cowboys provides a colorful background for Curly, a charming cowboy, and Laurey, a feisty farm girl, to play out their love story. Their romantic journey contrasts with the comic exploits of brazen Ado Annie and hapless Will Parker in a musical adventure embracing hope, determination, and the promise of a new land.
Making her Home Made Theater directorial debut is Shannon Eccles, who has appeared as a performer in multiple Home Made Theater productions, including Cabaret, Shrek the Musical, and Mamma Mia!. Ms. Eccles leads a team that includes Musical Director Julia Omelko, Choreographer Betsy Foust, Scenic Designer Marc Christopher, Costume Designer Kelly Blitz, Lighting Designer Laura Darling, Sound Designers Anne-Marie Baker and Tom Moeller, Properties Designer Jessica Alojipan, Production Stage Manager Susan Turner, and Producer Garrett West.
Performances are Friday, May 9th and 16th at 7:00pm, Saturday May 10th and 17th at 2:00pm and 7:00pm, and Sunday May 11th and 18th at 2:00pm. There will also be a 7:00pm performance on Thursday, May 15th.
All performances are at the Pitney Meadows Community Farm at 223 West Avenue in Saratoga Springs, NY. General admission tickets are $25 ($20 for students with ID) and are available on Home Made Theater’s website, www.homemadetheater.org, or by calling 518-587-4427.