Oklahoma Now Has Two Award-Winning Musicals

All Oklahomans know the title song "Oklahoma!" from Rogers and Hammerstein's classic musical. It's been the state song since 1953. Although the original production isn't credited with any awards, it solidified itself as a smash hit and changed the nature of Broadway.

"Oklahoma!" was the first collaboration between iconic composers Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The musical opened on Broadway on March 31, 1943, at the St. James Theatre. It was an instant hit with audiences and ran for almost five years, and setting records with its 2,212 performances.

According to the Oklahoma Historical Society, Broadway audiences and critics were surprised by "Oklahoma!"

It broke the rules and invented a new formula. It was a play, with music (and was billed as "a musical play"), rather than the customary show with a thin plot that marketed new songs. In Oklahoma! lyrics served as additional dialogue, rather than simply showcasing a player's vocal skills. Dance provided an integrated dramatic element, with skillfully choreographed ballet "dream" sequences illuminating the characters' unspoken emotions and thoughts. The characters were strong and well defined. There was scant comedy.

The Tony Awards are the biggest awards for Broadway. And the reason the original production of "Oklahoma!" doesn't have these awards under its belt is because the first Tony Awards didn't take place till 1947.

In 1955, "Oklahoma!" was made into a film and received two Oscars for the film's scoring and sound recording. It has also been inducted into the National Film Registry.

Decades later, "Oklahoma!" finally received recognition for the stage production. In 2019, a revival of "Oklahoma!" ran and received a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.

'The Outsiders' musical brings a new generation of Oklahoma to the stage.

In 2023, "The Outsiders" musical premiered and soon made its way to Broadway in the spring of 2024. The musical, set in Tulsa, is based on the book by Oklahoma author S.E. Hinton, which was published in 1967. It is also adapted from the 1983 film directed by Francis Ford Coppola.

"The Outsiders" musical received 12 Tony Awards nominations and won the top nomination for Best Musical. The musical also took home awards for Best Direction, Best Lighting Design and Best Sound Design.

'The Outsiders' musical will kick-off its North American tour in Oklahoma.

In May, "The Outsiders" musical announced that it would be kicking off its North American tour in the fall of 2025 in Tulsa. No other tour dates, locations or ticket information has been announced yet, but having the tour open in Tulsa is a big deal for Oklahoma. Many commenters of announcement stated that Tulsa is "exactly where the tour should begin."