NEWS RELEASE
Date: October 30, 2019 Contact: Lexi Locke
For Immediate Release Phone: 417.864.6683
Photos Available Upon Request Cell: 417.860.9690
Fax: 417.864.8967
lexi@springfieldmosymphony.org
Springfield Symphony takes center stage with World Premiere from Rodgers & Hammerstein
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Springfield Symphony will perform the World Premiere concert version of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s classic musical Oklahoma! Concert performances will take place on Saturday, November 9th at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 10th at 2:30 p.m. at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. Under the direction of Robert Westenberg with the Missouri State University BFA Musical Theatre Program, actors and singers will bring life to the songs of one of Broadway’s most beloved musicals.
“We are so excited to be performing this amazing musical in the world premiere of the concert version of Oklahoma!,” exclaimed Kyle Wiley Pickett, music director/conductor for the Springfield Symphony. “This concert version is a semi-staged performance of the full musical, with the orchestra featured on stage with the singers. I’ve been working with the actors and their wonderful director, Broadway legend Robert Westenberg, and this cast is incredible.”
Set in a Western Indian territory just after the turn of the century, Oklahoma! contains 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.
“This project is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. The great Broadway shows of the mid-20th century have some of the best orchestral music by American composers. We rarely get to hear these scores in their full orchestral glory, because theater pits can’t fit the full complement of a symphony orchestra. This is a chance for you to hear the wonderfully lush score performed by the Springfield Symphony!”
Pre-concert music will begin at 6:45 p.m. provided by the Suzuki Violin Preparatory Program. Tickets are currently on sale at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall box office, and can be purchased by calling (417) 836-7678 or online at www.hammonshall.com. Single ticket prices range from $15 – $45 and discounts are available for students and seniors, and additional group discounts are available for the Oklahoma! in Concert Matinee.
The Oklahoma! in Concert performance on November 9th is brought to you by Reliable Superstore, Independent Printing, Hiland Dairy, Positronic Industries, TLC Properties, KOLR10, Mid-West Family Broadcasting and 417 Magazine. The Oklahoma! in Concert Matinee on November 10th is made possible by the Schneider Family Foundation, Mid-West Family Broadcasting, Irwin and Susan Cohen, and #ChooseToLive. Pickett is available for any interviews or questions at kwpickett@gmail.com or call at (417) 837-9422.
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation and an Equal Opportunity Employer. Additional funding for all Springfield Symphony Orchestra programming is provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency. For more information, visit www.springfieldmosymphony.org or www.facebook.com/springfieldsymphony.
###
