Sept. 28, 2015

Contact Matt Campbell at 608-796-3766 or mscampbell@viterbo.edu

VITERBO UNIVERSITY TO PRESENT RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN’S OKLAHOMA! OCT. 9–11

LA CROSSE, Wis. – Viterbo University will present Rodgers and Hammerstein’s iconic musical Oklahoma! at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 and Saturday, Oct. 10 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11 in the Fine Arts Center Main Theatre.

Set in Oklahoma Territory in 1906, Oklahoma! is the story of cowboy Curly McLain and farm girl Laurey Williams. Oklahoma! examines the themes of community, family, working together, and determination and includes many beloved and familiar songs, such as Oh What a Beautiful Mornin’, The Surrey with the Fringe on Top, and People Will Say We’re in Love.

“There are very few people who don’t tap their toes and sing along,” said Matthew Scott Campbell, Viterbo theatre and music theatre department faculty member and director of the production. “The music is part of the arts culture of the U.S.”

The musical also has universally appealing themes, Campbell said.

“Oklahoma! has iconic music, dynamic dancing, and lavish production value but the show at its core is really about community,” he said. “People coming together in their determination to survive and thrive. It’s a captivating story that portrays complex characters with real problems.”

The first musical written by the team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, Oklahoma! was a smash hit when it premiered on Broadway in 1943. Its themes were very popular with theatre goers during World War II, Campbell said. The musical premiered before the creation of the Tony Awards, but Rodgers and Hammerstein won a special Pulitzer Prize for Oklahoma! in 1944. An Academy Award-winning film adaptation was released in 1955.

Campbell is joined by fellow Viterbo faculty members Nancy Allen, Shane Rhoades, and Frank Ludwig, who are serving as the music director, choreographer, and scenic designer, respectively.

This production stars Viterbo students Sheridan Hearn and Alex Lentz. It also features an orchestra of outstanding local musicians.

This performance is part of Viterbo University’s Bright Star Season and is sponsored by Wells Fargo and the Lukasek Family Endowment Fund. La Crosse Radio Group is the media sponsor.

Oklahoma! is based on the play Green Grow the Lilacs by Lynn Riggs. The music is by Richard Rodgers, book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and original dances by Agnes de Mille. This Viterbo University production of Oklahoma! is presented through special arrangement with R&H Theatricals, www.rnh.com.

An Arts in Context discussion will be held immediately following the Oct. 9 performance.

Tickets are $23 for main floor, $20 for lower balcony, and $17 for upper balcony seating. For more information or to order tickets, contact the Viterbo box office at 608-796-3100 or visit www.viterbo.edu/tickets.

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