OKLAHOMA to Run 8/1-10 at the Bickford Theatre

The Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum in conjunction with the Algonquin Arts Center of Manasquan and the News Jersey Youth Theatre will present the American classic musical OKLAHOMA, August 1 through August 10, 2014.

"Oklahoma!," Rodgers & Hammerstein's first collaboration remains, in many ways, their most innovative, having set the standards and established the rules of musical theatre still being followed today. 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, Will Parker, a fun-loving steer roper and Ado Annie, a love-hungry flirt play out their love stories. They succeed in making new lives together in what will be a brand-new state building up to the ultimate climax, the triumphant "OKLAHOMA!" Songs include "People Will Say We're in Love," "I Cain't Say No," "The Surrey With the Fringe on Top," and "Out of My Dreams."

The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical will be directed by Cynthia Meryl who last year directed the summer theatre production of WEST SIDE STORY at the Morris Museum's Bickford Theatre. The Music Director is Matthew Webb who serves as the Director of Music at the Presbyterian Church in Morristown, NJ and the choreographer is Sherry Alban who is a member of the dance faculty at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers.

Starring in "Oklahoma!" are talented young actors from across the state including Mason Kugelman from Rumson as Curly, Erica Morreale from Cranford as Laurey, Branden Mangan as Andrew Carnes and Ariel Schwarzer as Ali Hakim, both from West Orange, Kaitlin Quann from Randolph as Kate, Samantha Tropper from Union as Ado Annie and Andrew Martinez from Morristown as Jud

Tickets may be purchased by phone at (973) 971-3706, or in person at the Bickford Theatre box office. The Bickford Theatre is conveniently located within the Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown, NJ, and offers free parking and full accessibility. Box Office hours for phone sales are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-up hours are Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.