Rodgers & Hammerstein Before ​Oklahoma!

Class Preparation

• The chapters of Todd Purdum's Something Wonderful associated with this class are the Prologue and Chapters 1 & 2. If you are a "read it before class" person, this is the assignment. However, I won't assume you have read it (and there will be no pop quiz!).
• Handout of class slides
• Lorenz Hart Lyrics (lyrics to five songs, some of which we'll look at in class)

Links to videos shown in class

Opening

• "People Will Say We're in Love" from the 2019 Broadway revival of Oklahoma!

Oscar Hammerstein II

• "Indian Love Call" from the film of Rose-Marie (Friml & Hammerstein)
• Preview of the film "The New Moon" with selections from the score by Sigmund Romberg & Hammerstein.
• Preview of the 1954 film version of  Carmen Jones, with score by Georges Bizet and lyrics by Hammerstein.

Richard Rodgers

• "Where or When" sung by Brian D'Arcy James and Susan Egan
• Ella Fitzgerald sings "To Keep My Love Alive" (audio only)
• "Sing for Your Supper" by Fleming, von Stade, and Horne ​

Links to additional videos & resources

Oscar Hammerstein II 

• Helen Morgan singing "Bill" from the 1936 film of Show Boat.
• Wikipedia discussion of Racial Issues in producing Show Boat:   Link 
• Ella Fitzgerald sings "All the Things You Are" from  Very Warm for May (Kern & Hammerstein).
• A concert version of "All the Things You Are" (conducted by John McGlinn) as it might have sounded in the original production of Very Warm for May, with parts for two couples.

​Richard Rodgers

• "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue" ballet from the 1939 film version of On Your Toes.
• Ella Fitzgerald sings "The Lady is a Tramp" (audio only)
• Elaine Stritch sings "Zip" (from Pal Joey, in her concert Elaine Stritch at Liberty)

​Homework

• Complete 2017 "restoration" production of Oklahoma! by the North Carolina School of the Arts: Act One, Act Two

• May 22-26 only: New York City Ballet performance of Christopher Wheeldon’s “Carousel (A Dance)” Link (Note: This is the second of two ballets performed in the program.)

 Class Feedback/Evaluation of Today's Class

What worked?

• Mix of lecture, slides, video clips (with no major glitches)
• Clear objectives, organization
• Historical background
• Having lyrics for the songs
• “Pretending we’re actually in class”

What would make it even better?

• Deal with volume differences of clips within the presentation
• Remove onscreen appearance of chat feature
• Clarity about the class website
• Being in the same classroom listening to Oklahoma! (sigh!)