Rodgers & Hammerstein "OKLAHOMA!" Howard Keel 1947 London Souvenir Program

Description

This is a rare souvenir program from the Original West End production of the RICHARD RODGERS and OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II musical comedy "OKLAHOMA!" at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London. (The Original Broadway production opened March 31st, 1943 at the St. James Theatre in New York City and ran for 2212 performances. The London production opened April 29th, 1947 and ran for 1543 performances.) ..... The Original London Cast included HAROLD "Howard" KEEL, BETTY JANE WATSON, MARY MARLO, WALTER DONAHUE, DOROTHEA MacFARLAND, MAREK WINDHEIM, HENRY CLARKE, GEMZE DE LAPPE, ERIK KRISTEN, W. J. McCARTHY, THOMAS SPENCER, REMINGTON OLMSTEAD, Jr., LEONARD MENCE and JACQUELINE DANIELS. (Note: Although shown in the production photos, there are no cast members mentioned by name in the text of the program.) ..... CREDITS: Music by RICHARD RODGERS; Book and Lyrics by OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN 2nd based on the play "Green Grow the Lilacs" by LYNN RIGGS. (This was the first collaboration for Rodgers and Hammerstein who would go on to write "Carousel", "The King and I", "South Pacific", "Flower Drum Song" and "The Sound of Music" among others); Sets designed by LEMUEL AYERS; Costumes designed by MILES WHITE; Choreographed by AGNES de MILLE; Directed by ROUBEN MAMOULIAN; Produced by THE THEATRE GUILD ..... DETAILS: The oversized twenty page program measures 8 1/8" X 11 1/8" inches and includes full production credits, photos and bios of each member of the creative team, extensive text on the creation of the show, a page of excerpts from a number of London reviews and several pages of production photos as well as a photo and promotional text on the New York production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Carousel" ..... CONDITION: With the exception of light soiling to the covers and the start of a split at the top seam, this rare program is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any musical theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.