The complete cast for Oklahoma! has been announced for the production's transfer to Broadway this season, led by Rebecca Naomi Jones and Damon Daunno as Laurey and Curly respectively. The production is set to begin performances at Broadway's Circle in the Square Theatre March 19 ahead of an April 7 opening night.
Will Brill, as Ali Hakim, will join the original cast of the St. Ann's Off-Broadway production. Daunno, Patrick Vaill (Jud Fry), Mary Testa (Aunt Eller), Mallory Portnoy (Gertie Cummings), James Davis (Will Parker), and Mitch Tebo (Andrew Carnes) return to the production following both its St. Ann's Warehouse engagement and the earlier Bard College production in 2015, while Jones, Ali Stroker (Ado Annie), Anthony Cason (Cord), and Will Mann (Mike) and return following just the St. Ann's Warehouse run.
“I am delighted to welcome this incredible cast to Broadway,” producer Eva Price said in a statement. “This is a group of performers rich with talent and humility. Individually, they bring incredible depth and authenticity to these iconic characters. Together, they form an ensemble that is full of humanity, spirit and inspiration.”
Helmed by Daniel Fish, this new production of Oklahoma! offers a startlingly contemporary re-imagining of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, featuring new arrangements and orchestrations by Daniel Kluger. Fish first mounted the production at Bard College in 2015, which was followed by a sold-out Off-Broadway run at St. Ann's Warehouse last fall. The creative team includes John Heginbotham (choreography), Laura Jellinek (scenic design), Terese Wadden (costume design), Scott Zielinski (lighting design), Drew Levy (sound design), Joshua Thorson (projection design), and Nathan Koci (music direction).
The first collaboration between the Broadway golden age powerhouse duo of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, Oklahoma! was adapted from Lynn Riggs' play Green Grow the Lilacs, and was originally choreographed by Agnes de Mille. The original production, which premiered on Broadway in 1943, is largely credited with being the first musical to fully integrate its book, score, and choreography towards advancing the plot.
Fish's re-imagining leaves the original text and score intact, while exploring them through a distinctly 21st century lens.
