As part of the 80th anniversary celebrations of the ground-breaking 1943 Broadway premiere of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s musical, Oklahoma!, Trafalgar Releasing, in partnership with Concord Originals and The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, is set to release a cinematic version of the acclaimed National Theatre’s Olivier Award-winning production. The production, filmed post its 1998 London run, features a younger Hugh Jackman in the role of Curly.
The film will grace over 800 cinemas worldwide for a limited two-day run on Sunday, 16 July 2023, and Wednesday 19 July 2023. Countries participating in the screening include: the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Norway, and those of us in Australia. This limited release seeks to give global audiences an opportunity to relive the magic of the riveting stage revival, led by three-time Tony Award winner Trevor Nunn and featuring new choreography by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman.
Click here to search if there will be screenings in your local area
The cast of the film includes many notable names, including Maureen Lipman, Josefina Gabrielle, Shuler Hensley, Vicki Simon, Jimmy Johnston, and Peter Polycarpou, alongside Jackman. The stage production was transferred to London’s West End in 1999 and was honoured with four Olivier Awards, including Outstanding Musical Production.
This film version of Oklahoma! sets out to showcase the delightful, hummable songs by the legendary composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II. The creative team behind the production includes set and costume designer Anthony Ward, lighting designer David Hersey, music director John Owen Edwards, and orchestrator Robert Russell Bennett, with additional orchestrations by William David Brohn and new dance music arranged by David Krane.
Kymberli Frueh, SVP of Content and Programming Acquisitions at Trafalgar Releasing, highlighted the production’s importance:
The 80th anniversary of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! allows us to share this quintessential slice of Americana with global fans. This particular production is acknowledged as one of the best through the eight decades of performances in theatres around the world. All the talent in this classic version of Oklahoma! hit their mark brilliantly and musical theatre fans can experience for themselves why it is credited with launching Hugh Jackman’s stage career. We’re proud to be a part of this momentous anniversary”
Furthermore, Sophia Dilley, SVP of Concord Originals, echoed Frueh’s sentiment, expressing pride in championing this anniversary re-release:
This musical is the living, breathing proof that important works will find and impact multiple generations in meaningful ways. We couldn’t be more proud to champion this anniversary re-release of Sir Trevor Nunn’s stunning 1998 revival with Trafalgar Releasing.
Imogen Lloyd Webber, SVP at Concord Theatricals on behalf of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, recognized the 1998 production as a theatrical landmark and a treasure trove for musical theatre fans of all ages:
80 years after first premiering on Broadway, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! is recognized as a theatrical landmark. It was the first successful, truly unified musical – a seamless integration of song, story and dance. This 1998 production masterfully combined those three elements, and the resulting film is a treasure trove for musical theatre fans of all ages.
