THE award winning Milton Musical Society return to Christchurch next week for their spring production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s classic musical, Oklahoma!

Curtain up at the Regent is from Wednesday 26 to Saturday 29 April at 7.30 pm. There is also a Saturday matinee at 2.30 pm.

Based on the 1931 Broadway play, Green Grow the Lilacs, Oklahoma! was the first collaboration between composer, Richard Rodgers and the lyricist, Oscar Hammerstein. The show was premiered on Broadway in 1943 and was an immediate hit, becoming a bright beacon of hope for audiences during the dark days of World War II.

Oklahoma! crossed the Pond to the West End in 1947, with Howard Keel in the lead and then got the full Hollywood treatment in the 1955 film, starring Gordon MacRae, Shirley Jones, Rod Steiger and Gloria Grahame.

This brilliant musical is dedicated to the pioneering spirit of the Old West. The Indian Territory of Oklahoma, is about to join the Union but until then the rule of law has been the gun. The sparkling story of Curly and his rivalry with Jud for the hand of Laurey, mirrors the conflict between farmers and cowmen for supremacy in the Territory.

The smouldering drama is backed by a string of superb hits, which cover the full gamut of emotions from the title song, Oklahoma, to the breezy Kansas City, the brash All Er Nuthin via the humour of Pore Jud Is Daid and the dreamy Surrey With The Fringe On Top and on to some of the most romantic numbers of all time including: People Will Say We’re In Love and Oh What A Beautiful Morning. The joyous score is further enhanced by some truly spectacular dance sequences,

Regent, Christchurch

01202 499199

www.regentcentre.co.uk