WHEELING, W.Va. - The spring musical or “Gambol” as it is sometimes called has been a long-standing tradition at WJU. It was started as a campus variety show to offer students an artistic outlet and entertainment during the long winter months. This tradition eventually developed into a full fledged Broadway type musical production and has become a much-anticipated part of the arts program on campus. The production is a favorite with students and the community as well. The Performing Arts Series is made possible in part by the generous financial support of WJU Student Government Association and is offered Free to the WJU community and the public.

Based on the play “Green Grow the Lilacs” by Lynn Riggs, Oklahoma!” was the first collaboration between legendary musical theater duo Rodgers and Hammerstein and debuted on Broadway in March 1943 with original choreography by Agnes de Mille. Groundbreaking in its seamless integration of story, score and dance, the production has been widely acknowledged as the pioneer of the American Book Musical and has earned more than 25 nominations and awards including a special Tony Award for the 50th anniversary in 1993. “Oklahoma!” marked a milestone in the development of the American musical, and the beginning of the most successful partnership in Broadway musical history. It was followed by “Carousel”, “State Fair”, “Allegro”, “South Pacific”, “The King and I”, “Me and Juliet”, “Pipe Dream”, “Flower Drum Song”, and “The Sound of Music”. Collectively, the Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals earned 34 Tony Awards, 15 Academy Awards, two Pulitzer Prizes and two Grammy Awards. In 1998 Rodgers & Hammerstein were cited by Time Magazine and CBS News as among the 20 most influential artists of the 20th century.

Set in Oklahoma territory just after the turn of the century, the high-spirited rivalry between the local farmers and cowboys provides the colorful background against which Curly, a handsome cowboy, and Laurey, a winsome farm girl, play out their love story. Although the road to true love never runs smooth, with these two headstrong romantics holding the reins, love's journey is as bumpy as a surrey ride down a country road. They will succeed in making a new life together and that new life will begin in a brand-new state.

Admission is Free on a first-come basis. Call 304-243-2095 for more information.

“Oklahoma!” is produced with permission from Rodgers and Hammerstein Theatricals