Jones Stars in PA 'Oklahoma!,' with Grové, Bogart, Etc.

Oscar-winner Shirley Jones will be featured in the Pittsburgh CLO's upcoming staging of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic Oklahoma!, according to the theatre's website.  Oklahoma! runs through July 1st.

Jones, who famously played Laurey in the 1955 film version of Oklahoma!, will now play sensible Aunt Eller. The website also states that Oklahoma! will star Matt Bogart (Aida, Miss Saigon) as Curley, Jessica Grové (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Les Miserables) as Laurey, Aaron Ramey (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Sweet Charity tour) as Jud Fry, Jason Graae (Falsettos, Stardust) as Ali Hakim, Jennifer Cody (The Pajama Game, The Wild Party) as Ado Annie, and Leo Ash Evens (Ravinia Gypsy) as Will Parker, with Andrew Mistretta as Andrew Carnes, and Christa Capone, Jeff Davis, Ami Price, Paul Palmer and Michael Lowney.

The groundbreaking 1943 musical features music by Richard Rodgers, book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and is based on the play Green Grow The Lilacs by Lynn Riggs.

Oklahoma!, according to Pittsburgh CLO notes, is "a high-spirited look at life on the Oklahoma prairie through the eyes of Laurey, a charming farm girl, and Curly, a handsome cowboy, as they deal with life and love at the turn of the century. 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. Together they not only make a new life together, but begin it in a brand-new state! It's a heartwarming romance; a blissful comedy and a celebration of the spirit that made America what it is today."  The show's score includes "People Will Say We're in Love," "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'," "Surrey with the Fringe on Top" and the title song.

Jones is an Oscar-winner for her work in the film Elmer Gantry.  In addition to playing Laurey in the film version of Oklahoma!, Jones starred in the film versions of The Music Man (as Marian Paroo) and Carousel (as Julie Jordan).  She has been seen on Broadway in South Pacific and Maggie Flynn, as well as in 42nd Street (alongside son Patrick Cassidy). 

Visit www.pittsburghclo.org for tickets and more information.