‘Oklahoma’ settles in for Summerlin run

Friday, March 29, 2002 | 9:58 a.m.

What: "Oklahoma!"

When: 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday; additional performances Monday and Thursday, April 6, 8, 11-13, 15, 18-20.

Where: Summerlin Library and Performing Arts Center, 1771 Inner Circle Drive.

Tickets: $10-$18.

Information: 878-7529.

When "Oklahoma!" opened on Broadway in 1943 it was expected to be a box-office disaster.

The musical with a simple plot had no stars and was the first to feature realism, tragedy and conflict between characters.

Not only was "Oklahoma!" a success, it was the longest-running Broadway show of its time and recognized in 1944 by the Pulitzer Prize Board.

Local theater company Signature Productions will present "Oklahoma!" today and Saturday, with additional shows through April 20 at Summerlin Library and Performing Arts Center.

Based on Lynn Riggs' play "Green Grow the Lilacs," "Oklahoma!" portrays a time when box socials and surreys were common.

The story of farmers and cattlemen battling over fences and water rights on the Indian territory in the early 1900s was the first of many collaborations between composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein.

Nearly 60 years later many who have never even seen the production are familiar with the catchy lyrics of the familiar songs "Oklahoma!" "Many a New Day" and "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning."

The musical also made its return to Broadway this week.

"It's just a great musical," Debora Boyd, director of the local production, said. "The music is very well known. It's got a lot of fun dance moves."

Signature Productions is a local nonprofit production company that formed in 1989. Past productions have included "The Music Man" "Arsenic and Old Lace" and "Children of Eden."

Nearly three years ago the production company surveyed its audience members on which productions they would prefer to see performed. "Oklahoma!" was in the top five, Boyd said.

Boyd said that she appreciates the old-time, country-western flavor of the musical.

"It's just a simpler, less-complicated time," Boyd said. "They certainly worked hard and made the ground they walked on their own."