Joan Roberts Headshot

Joan Roberts

Date of Death: August 13, 2012 (94)

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

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Joan Roberts BIO


Sunny River was Roberts' first Broadway production. She played Madeleine Caresse December 4, 1941 - January 3, 1942. Later in 1942 she played in Hit the Deck with the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera.

Roberts initially auditioned for the role of Ado Annie in the original Broadway production of Oklahoma! (which eventually went to Celeste Holm), but the show's librettist Oscar Hammerstein cast her as the female lead, Laurey. At the time of her death she was one of four surviving cast members of the original 1943 opening night production of Oklahoma! and the only one who played a principal role (Celeste Holm died several weeks earlier), along with George S. Irving, Marc Platt, and Bambi Linn. Roberts subsequently starred as Sara Longstreet on Broadway in the musical High Button Shoes.

In addition to her work as an actress, Roberts taught voice lessons and presented workshops on singing and voice projection. In 2011 the University of North Carolina's School of the Arts mounted a production of Oklahoma! that replicated the original Broadway staging of the show. Roberts and Celeste Holm both attended that production and were present at an event honoring the two actresses.

She was in retirement for many years on Long Island, New York, when she appeared as Heidi Schiller in the 2001 Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim's Follies. Over the years she was seen in documentaries about Oscar Hammerstein II, George Abbott and in the film Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There.

Joan Roberts STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2001
Heidi Schiller

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1947
Sara Longstreet [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1945
Vivian Reilly

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1945
Marinka

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1943
Laurey

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1941
Madeleine Caresse


Joan Roberts Videos

Joan Roberts News


OKLAHOMA! Opened on Broadway on this Day in 1943


Oklahoma! opened at the St. James Theatre on March 31st, 1943. The musical, with music by Richard Rodgers and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, was based on Lynn Rigg's 1930 play 'Green Grow the Lilacs.'

UN DÍA COMO HOY: OKLAHOMA! se estrenaba en Broadway


La producción original de OKLAHOMA! en Broadway se estrenó el 31 de marzo de 1943 en el St. James Theatre de Nueva York. Fue dirigida por Rouben Mamoulian, coreografiada por Agnes de Mille y protagonizada por Alfred Drake.

Actress Marilyn Joan Roberts Has Passed Away


Marilyn Joan Roberts, actress, and one of the original performers in the Off-Off Broadway theater movement in New York City during the 1960’s, passed away in January.

Theater Stories: The First Rodgers & Hammerstein Collaboration, HELLO, DOLLY! and More About The St. James Theatre!


Today's Theater Stories features The St. James Theatre! Learn about the first Rodgers and Hammerstein collaboration, which Oscar-winning movie was filmed at the theater, the longest-running show to play the St. James and more!

Kelli O'Hara Shares Stories From FOLLIES, THE KING AND I and More With Seth Rudetsky on STARS IN THE HOUSE


Kelli O'Hara appeared last night as the first guest on Seth Rudetsky's online concert series STARS IN THE HOUSE. Seth and his husband, producer James Wesley, began by sharing that the series was conceived as a way to bring happiness and hope during this time of uncertainty.

Paul Faccalvieri Returns to Don't Tell Mama


What makes a great cabaret show? Talent with a stellar voice, artistic insight that connects with the music's emotional life, affability and great songs. Enter Paul Fraccalvieri.

BWW Flashback: A Look Back on OKLAHOMA's Broadway History


Oklahoma! is back on the Great White Way! Oklahoma! is no stranger to Broadway. In fact, it's been here five times before. Take a look back at the Broadway history of this iconic musical!

Throwing Out My CDs by Ben Rimalower: OKLAHOMA!


In 10th Grade, I was in the chorus of a production of Oklahoma! in the auditorium of my synagogue and it was the best theatrical experience I've ever had. I remember getting home from the closing night cast party and crying myself to sleep. I could cry now putting on the movie or listening to 'The Farmer and the Cowman,' or maybe most of all, if I sing a little bit of the introduction to the title song.

Photo Flash: Remembering Marni Nixon


As BroadwayWorld sadly reported earlier this week, Marni Nixon, perhaps best known for dubbing the singing voices of the leading actresses in films, including THE KING AND I, WEST SIDE STORY and MY FAIR LADY, passed away from breast cancer on July 24th. She was 86.

Marni Nixon, Singing Voice Behind WEST SIDE STORY, THE KING AND I & More, Dies at 86


The New York Times reports that Marni Nixon, perhaps most famous for dubbing the singing voices of the leading actresses in films, including THE KING AND I, WEST SIDE STORY and MY FAIR LADY, passed away from breast cancer on July 24th. She was 86.

BWW Interview: MSMT Panel Takes a Look at History: Argentina's and Its Own


History- actual 20th century events and the theatre's own story and legacy - became the joint focus of Maine State Music Theatre's second Peek Behind the Curtain talkback, held on July 7 at the Curtis Memorial Library. The panel examined the characters and forces that formed the basis for MSMT"s thrilling production of Evita, now playing at the Pickard until July 16, and also took several excursions into MSMT's history, which forms the basis of a new retrospective exhibition, MSMT Past, Present, and Future, which serendipitously celebrated a gala opening that same date. Moderated by Broadway World's Carla Maria Verdino-Sullwold, the panel featured the three stars of the Andrew Lloyd-Webber musical, Kate Fahrner, Matt Farcher, and Nat Chandler, as well as the Artistic Directors of two of the areas leading theatres, MSMT's own Curt Dale Clark and the Good Theater's Brian P. Allen.

DID YOU KNOW...The Most Interesting Message Board Topics of the Week: August 11-17


This week's topics: Joan Roberts Dies at 95, concert version of My Fair Lady, Newsies Trading Cards, INTO THE WOODS Cast Recordings, Obscure Acronyms, Once Recoups

STAGE TUBE: Remembering OKLAHOMA!'s Joan Roberts


As BroadwayWorld reported yesterday, Joan Roberts, the stage and film actress who created the role of 'Laurey' in the original 1943 production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's OKLAHOMA!, died on Monday August 13, in Stamford, Connecticut. She was 95, and died of congestive heart failure, according to her son, John Donlon. In the video below, Imagem Music Group remembers the stage star by sharing a 2011 interview. Check it out below.

Joan Roberts, Star of OKLAHOMA!, Passes Away at 95


Joan Roberts, the stage and film actress who created the role of 'Laurey' in the original 1943 production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's OKLAHOMA!, died on Monday August 13, in Stamford, Connecticut. She was 95, and died of congestive heart failure, according to her son, John Donlon.

OKLAHOMA! Hits The Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center 9/16-10/4


James A. Blackman III and Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities proudly present Rodgers & Hammerstein?s Oklahoma! September 16 - October 4, 2009 at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. The production is helmed by the 2008 Ovation Award winning team from Miss Saigon: Director Stephanie Coltrin, Musical Director Alby Potts, and Choreographer Karen Nowicki.

OKLAHOMA! Hits The Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center 9/16-10/4


James A. Blackman III and Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities proudly present Rodgers & Hammerstein?s Oklahoma! September 16 - October 4, 2009 at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. The production is helmed by the 2008 Ovation Award winning team from Miss Saigon: Director Stephanie Coltrin, Musical Director Alby Potts, and Choreographer Karen Nowicki.

OKLAHOMA! Hits The Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center 9/16-10/4


James A. Blackman III and Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities proudly present Rodgers & Hammerstein?s Oklahoma! September 16 - October 4, 2009 at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. The production is helmed by the 2008 Ovation Award winning team from Miss Saigon: Director Stephanie Coltrin, Musical Director Alby Potts, and Choreographer Karen Nowicki.

Clinton Community Theatre Presents OKLAHOMA! 7/17 Thru 7/25


2009 marks Clinton Community Theatre's 28th year of producing quality affordable theatre for the residents of Clinton and surrounding communities. The Clinton Community Theatre proudly presents: Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, a production for the whole family.

Clinton Community Theatre Presents OKLAHOMA! 7/17 Thru 7/25


2009 marks Clinton Community Theatre's 28th year of producing quality affordable theatre for the residents of Clinton and surrounding communities. The Clinton Community Theatre proudly presents: Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, a production for the whole family.

Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization Launches Podcast Series


The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization is now home to a newly launched podcast series on iTunes. The Sweetest Sounds, hosted by R&H President Ted Chapin (except where noted), and produced by award-winning NPR documentarian Jeff Lunden, will be an ongoing series of audio podcasts highlighting the musicals and authors we proudly represent.

Joan Roberts FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Joan Roberts been in?

Joan Roberts has appeared on Broadway in 6 shows.

How many West End shows has Joan Roberts been in?

Joan Roberts has not appeared in the West End

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