Oklahoma! at Center Stage Theatre

Center Stage Theatre in Shelton is excited to kick off its 19th season with “Oklahoma!,” running February 16-25.

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s first collaboration remains, in many ways, their most innovative, setting the standards and rules of modern musical theatre. In a Western territory just after the turn of the 20th century, a high-spirited rivalry between local farmers and cowboys provides a colorful background for Curly, a charming cowboy, and Laurey, a feisty farm girl, to play out their love story. Their romantic journey, as bumpy as a surrey ride down a country road, contrasts with the comic exploits of brazen Ado Annie and hapless Will Parker in a musical adventure embracing hope, determination and the promise of a new land. 

This beloved classic was revived on Broadway several years ago with a contemporary, updated rendition of the classic story.  This production will be similarly reimagined with a minimal set utilizing a state-of-the-art projection screen, and modified seating chart.  This will include regular theater seating and VIP Picnic Table Seats putting fans in the middle of the action, as well as a special Box Social picnic treat served to table guests by the cast during intermission. 

From March 2-10, our educational center will present “Oklahoma, Jr,” a 60-minute, mainstage re-imagined version of the show with actors in grades 5-8.  Working closely with their counterparts from the mainstage show, the young performers are mentored by the cast and crew, and will utilize the same minimized set, seating arrangements and similar costumes.

Tickets range from $18-$50 for Oklahoma! and $10-$25 for Oklahoma Jr.  View the full schedule and purchase tickets at centerstageshelton.org.

Center Stage Theatre is an inclusive and intergenerational community-based theatre providing high quality and affordable performances, educational programming and volunteer opportunities.  Located in Shelton, Connecticut, the theatre produces five full scale productions a year including its annual Youth CONNection summer musical, as well as year-round theatre education for adults and students grades K-12.  Founded in 2005 by Gary and Francesca Scarpa, Center Stage is a 501(c)3 non-profit theatre attracting actors and audiences from throughout Fairfield and New Haven counties, and was named “Best Community Theater” by Connecticut Magazine’s “Best of CT 2022” round-up.  For more information, visit centerstageshelton.org, or the theatre’s Facebook (@centerstageshelton) or Instagram (@centerstageshelton) channels.