Ralph Records

This is a rare Decca Records booklet which accompanied the 78 rpm set of the Original Broadway Cast recording of the RICHARD RODGERS and OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II musical comedy “OKLAHOMA!” (No. A-359) on six 10″ inch vinyl records. (“Oklahoma!” opened March 31st, 1943 at the St. James Theatre in New York City and ran for 2212 performances.) ….. The cast included ALFRED DRAKE, JOAN ROBERTS, BETTY GARDE, HOWARD da SILVA, CELESTE HOLM, JOSEPH BULOFF, LEE DIXON, RALPH RIGGS, MARC PLATT, OWEN MARTIN, KATHARINE SERGAVA, VLADIMIR KOSTENKO, JOAN McCRACKEN, KATE FRIEDLICH and BAMBI LINN ….. CREDITS: Music by RICHARD RODGERS; Book and Lyrics by OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN 2nd based on the play “Green Grow the Lilacs” by LYNN RIGGS. (This was the first collaboration for Rodgers and Hammerstein who would go on to write “Carousel”, “The King and I”, “South Pacific”, “Flower Drum Song” and “The Sound of Music” among others); Sets designed by LEMUEL AYERS; Costumes designed by MILES WHITE; Choreographed by AGNES de MILLE; Directed by ROUBEN MAMOULIAN; Produced by THE THEATRE GUILD ….. DETAILS: Copyrighted in 1943, this twelve page booklet measures 5 1/2″ X 8 1/2″ inches and includes full production credits, song titles, promotional text, individual photos and bios of the leading actors and the catalogue numbers of the additional cast recordings on the Decca label ….. CONDITION: With the exception of a corner crease to the back cover and minor edge wear, this booklet is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any musical theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective, carded sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.