Oklahoma Broadway Musical
Oklahoma! "The Essence of Dance"
The stage performance of Rogers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma was a beautiful integration of book, song and dance. The three elements add richness and aesthetic quality in very distinctive ways. Dance is a form of expression using rhythmic movements of the body. Facial expressions and the use of body language through dance offer portrayals of feelings that compensate for dialogue. The choreography done by Agnes de Mille integrates dance into the lives of the frontiersmen (and women) of the Oklahoma territory. The 20th Century Fox film version released in 1955 had key differences than the current Broadway musical. One of the main differences other than a little extra dialogue was the utilization of dance. In the film dance was not used as a primary asset to the production. The impact of dance could be described by comparing the stage performance with the film.
There are two main plots running parallel in the show. First there is the developing love affair between Laurey and Curly. From purely the dialogue it is clear that these two characters do like each other but it is left up to dance to bring the subtext of their unsaid emotions to the surface. Second is the rivalry between the ranchers and the farmers on how the Oklahoma territory land should be used. The plots are not completely independent of each other. By the end of the show Laurey and Curly falls in love and gets married. This outcome has a secondary purpose. Laurey is a farmer and Curly is a rancher. Bringing them together into the union of marriage would symbolically address the solution to dividing the land. This leaves a happy ending for Laurey and Curley. Also there is a happy ending for the farmers and ranchers.
The opening sequence features the Oh what a beautiful mornin' and the Surry with the Fringe on top numbers. Curly arrives at Aunt Eller's farm early on a Saturday morning with the intention of inviting Laurey to the box social. He is singing to Aunt Eller
The stage performance of Rogers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma was a beautiful integration of book, song and dance. The three elements add richness and aesthetic quality in very distinctive ways. Dance is a form of expression using rhythmic movements of the body. Facial expressions and the use of body language through dance offer portrayals of feelings that compensate for dialogue. The choreography done by Agnes de Mille integrates dance into the lives of the frontiersmen (and women) of the Oklahoma territory. The 20th Century Fox film version released in 1955 had key differences than the current Broadway musical. One of the main differences other than a little extra dialogue was the utilization of dance. In the film dance was not used as a primary asset to the production. The impact of dance could be described by comparing the stage performance with the film.
There are two main plots running parallel in the show. First there is the developing love affair between Laurey and Curly. From purely the dialogue it is clear that these two characters do like each other but it is left up to dance to bring the subtext of their unsaid emotions to the surface. Second is the rivalry between the ranchers and the farmers on how the Oklahoma territory land should be used. The plots are not completely independent of each other. By the end of the show Laurey and Curly falls in love and gets married. This outcome has a secondary purpose. Laurey is a farmer and Curly is a rancher. Bringing them together into the union of marriage would symbolically address the solution to dividing the land. This leaves a happy ending for Laurey and Curley. Also there is a happy ending for the farmers and ranchers.
The opening sequence features the Oh what a beautiful mornin' and the Surry with the Fringe on top numbers. Curly arrives at Aunt Eller's farm early on a Saturday morning with the intention of inviting Laurey to the box social. He is singing to Aunt Eller