A brand new colourful production of Rogers and Hammerstein’s popular favourite Oklahoma! is heading with its stellar cast to Newcastle Theatre Royal this summer (Tue 23 – Sat 27 June 2015) as part of its national tour.
From the award-winning producers of the highly successful tours of The King and I and Fiddler on the Roof, this new production of one of the great classic American musicals stars Gary Wilmot, famous for his role as Bill Snibson in Me And My Girl in the West End and later as Tony in the world premiere of Barry Manilow’s Copacabana.
Starring alongside Gary, the role of Aunt Ella is played by Belinda Lang who many audience members will recognise from her role as level-headed mother, Bill Porter, in the long-running BBC sitcom 2 Point 4 Children.
The new production of this Pullitzer Prize-winning show is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, with new choreography by Drew McOnie. Oklahoma! is based on the Lynn Riggs play Green Grow the Lilacs and was the first musical written by famous duo Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein II. It was originally produced on Broadway in 1943 and the Academy Award-winning film was released in 1955.
Set in the Oklahoma territory in the early 1900s, the musical tells the story of two sets of star-crossed lovers. Cowboy Curly loves Laurey, Aunt Eller’s niece, but Curly’s rival is the mysterious and dangerous hired hand Jud Fry. Meanwhile, Ado Annie is torn between cowboy Will and peddler Ali Hakim. Their stories are told with the help of some of the best loved songs in musical theatre history, including Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’, I Cain’t Say No, The Surrey With the Fringe on Top, Kansas City, People Will Say We’re in Love and the title song Oklahoma!
These toe-tapping tunes are accompanied by a live orchestra with musical supervision by Stephen Ridley, set and costumes design is by Francis O’Connor, with lighting by Tim Mitchell and sound by Ben Harrison.
Oklahoma! appears at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tue 23 – Sat 27 June 2015 (Evenings: 7.30pm, Matinees: Thur 2pm and Sat 2.30pm). Tickets from £14.50 (Save 50p per ticket by booking online) Tickets can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or select your own seat and book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk.
And why not tempt yourself with Afternoon Tea after the matinees on Thu 25 and Sat 27 June? Served in our exclusive Olivier Suite and accompanied by one of our pianists, you can treat yourself for £14.95 per person or upgrade to Afternoon Tea with Prosecco for £20.90. Book via the Box Office or online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk/whats-on/afternoon-tea