The classic musical, Oklahoma!, returns to Merrill on the high school’s stage Thursday through Saturday, April 4, 5 and 6. A musical favorite of any classic musical enthusiast, the landmark show Oklahoma! was the first collaboration of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, who reinvented the musical theatre expectations when the performance was first debuted in 1943. In fact, the musical was so well received when released on Broadway, the exclamation mark was added to the end of the show’s name to demonstrate how fantastic it really was. Many know the show for the opening song, “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning” which garnered Rodgers and Hammerstein a special Pulitzer Prize for the spectacularly upbeat opening number that changed theatrical history.
Oklahoma! brings together comedy, the love triangle between the good girl, bad guy and the everyday hero, lively music and dance, country-western accents, and creates an enjoyable ranch setting with humorous encounters between new settlers, cowboys and farmers in the newly-established state.
The musical, that continues to live on through the music, dance, memorable love story, alongside the setting of the wild and unrefined West, will grace the stage at Merrill High School Auditorium on Thursday, April 4, Friday, April 5, and Saturday, April 6. Students are excited to bring the roles of some of the more memorable characters to life, including Aunt Eller, Laurey Williams, Curly McLain, Will Parker, Ado Annie, Jud Fry and the traveling salesman, Ali Hakim.
Doors will open at 7 p.m. and show will start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $6.50 for students/seniors and $8.50 for adults. Tickets are available online at www.showtix4u.com. All seats are reserved. Tickets will also be available in the Activities Office of Merrill High School or at the door on the day of each performance. Bring yer boots and grab yer hats! You’ll be lookin’ forward to this grand ol’ time!