OKLAHOMA! Interactive - Teacher Guide
OKLAHOMA! INTERACTIVE is a performance touring program that will entertain and educate students with select songs and scenes from the Award-winning musical, OKLAHOMA! Students will learn about the state's history, the making of the musical and the life of American composers Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.
The History of the musical OKLAHOMA!
Upon review of GREEN GROW THE LILACS, by Oklahoma playwright Lynn Riggs, The Theatre Guild, a prestigious theatre organization, decided it would make a great musical. They happily approached Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, a favored songwriting team at that time, to create the musical. Rodgers was interested, but Hart felt the musical would never sell. Rodgers quickly approached Oscar Hammerstein II, who at that time was struggling with his own career. Hammerstein loved the play and joined Rodgers on the project.
Under a big oak tree, the duo began working on their first musical collaboration. They wanted to keep most of the original stage direction of the "Lilacs" play, but wanted their music to set the mood and atmosphere. At first, Rodgers secretly felt it wouldn't work because of their writing styles, Hammerstein was operetta and Rodgers was musical comedy. But, once the thoughts came running out, the musical OKLAHOMA! came to life.
The rustic appeal and dramatic storylines turned producers off. "No gags! No girls! No chance!" became the familiar quote circulating through the theatre circuit, but nothing could stop Rodgers and Hammerstein. They were about to change the face of musical theatre.
Originally titled, AWAY WE GO, it was later changed to OKLAHOMA!, with the added exclamation point to give it theatrical excitement. On opening night, the audience and critics alike fell in love with OKLAHOMA! and the musical was a sold out hit on Broadway for five years.
ACTIVITIES AND DISCUSSION
- Research Rodgers and Hammerstein. How many musicals did they collaborate on together? Name some of the musicals they wrote. What other famous writers or musicians can you think of who came from Oklahoma?
- Write your opinion. What were your thoughts on the musical OKLAHOMA!?
- Fill your Hamper for the Box Social. What would you put in your hamper? Corn, Potatoes, wild berry pies, squash, etc.
- If you were to write a musical, what would you write about?
WORDS AND MEANINGS
Musical Theatre - a play performed with music and songs to move the story along or enhance character development
Operetta - a light opera with dialogue
Hamper - a large basket
Surrey - a light four-wheeled carriage with two seats
Box Social - a social event, usually to raise funds, at which individually prepared and contributed box lunches are auctioned off, the highest bidder in each case often having the privilege of sharing the meal with its preparer
Maverick - an unbranded animal
Churn - an object used to make cream or butter
Peddler - a traveling salesman
ACTIVITIES AND DISCUSSION: After the OKLAHOMA! INTERACTIVE performance
Theme - Individuality
Individuality gives us character and sets us apart from each other. Individuality strengthens us and helps us to expand our knowledge and challenge ourselves to pursue our own dreams and goals. Rodgers and Hammerstein's love for music and writing led them to become two of the greatest American musical theatre composers. They achieved their dreams by believing in themselves and their individual talent.
Class discussion:
Think of two reasons why you are an individual. What sets you apart from other students? It can be anything from being able to wiggle your own ears to dancing a tap step to wanting to be the greatest sports athlete of all time. Why does being different make each of us so special? What kind of world would we live in if everyone was the exactly same? How do all of our differences and strengths make this world a better place?
Moods and Emotions
Rodgers and Hammerstein created a flood of emotions with OKLAHOMA!, including comedy, drama, tragedy, jealousy, romance, fear, joy, trickery, courage and much more.
Class Discussion:
Find an example of mood and emotion used in the musical and discuss with the class.
Relationships and Roles
In the musical, the farmer and the cowboy seemed to always be at odds with each other, but both groups, along with the Native Americans, played a very important part in Oklahoma's statehood.
Class Discussion:
What were some of the differences between the farmer and the cowboy? Which group would you like to be a part of and why?
What were some of the contributions the Native Americans brought to the territory?
Famous Citizens of Oklahoma
Meet some of the citizens who lived in Oklahoma 100 years ago.
Many famous Oklahomans can be found in the pages of your history books. There were outlaws, cowboys, Native Americans, ranchers, businessmen, oil tycoons, women's rights activists, the list goes on and on.
Belle Starr - She was one of the most famous female outlaws of the south. Belle retired near Eufaula and was mysteriously killed on a lonely roadway.
Sequoyah- He developed the Cherokee alphabet, making reading and writing the Cherokee language possible and helping thousands of Cherokee people become literate. The system also led to the creation of the first American Indian newspaper, The Cherokee Phoenix.
Bass Reaves - He became one of the first African American deputy marshals west of the Mississippi River, helping to bring law and justice to the frontier. He served for 32 years and was known to be tough and fearless.
Mabel Tompkins- She was one of the best female horse riders in the territory. Mabel toured and traveled in Wild West shows throughout the nation.
Activity and Discussions:
- Can you think of any other famous Oklahomans from the past or the present? Research them and write about what they have contributed to Oklahoma's history.
- What would you like to be famous for or remembered for?
The Oklahoma State Song
Brand new state!
Brand new state, going to treat you great!
Gonna give you barley, carrots and pertaters,
Pasture for the cattle, Spinach and termayters!
Flowers on the prairie where the June bugs zoom,
Plenty of air and plenty of room,
Plenty of room to swing a rope!
Plenty of heart and plenty of hope.
Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain
And the wavin' wheat can sure smell sweet
When the wind comes right behind the rain.
Oklahoma, Every night my honey lamb and I
Sit alone and talk and watch a hawk
Makin' lazy circles in the sky.
We know we belong to the land
And the land we belong to is grand!
And when we say Yeeow! Ayipioeeay!
We're only sayin' You're doin' fine, Oklahoma!
Oklahoma O.K.
Okla-okla-Okla-Okla-Okla-Okla
Okla-okla-Okla-Okla-Okla-Okla...
We know we belong to the land
And the land we belong to is grand!
And when we say Yeeow! Ayipioeeay!
We're only sayin'
You're doin' fine, Oklahoma!
Oklahoma O.K.
L - A - H - O - M - A
OKLAHOMA! Yeeow!
