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Israel’s veteran English-language musical theatre group, LOGON (Light Opera Group of the Negev), is set to bring the beloved Broadway classic Oklahoma! back to the stage this March.
The production promises an exhilarating experience, complete with timeless music, dynamic storytelling, and a celebration of community spirit.
Written in 1943, Oklahoma! was the first collaboration between legendary composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist-dramatist Oscar Hammerstein II.
The musical, widely regarded as a groundbreaking piece in American theatre history, is known for its innovative integration of music and storytelling.
It is set in the Oklahoma Territory during the early 1900s, focusing on a love triangle between the spirited farm girl Laurey, the charming cowboy Curly, and the brooding ranch hand Jud.
The backdrop of impending statehood adds layers of tension and aspiration to the plot.
A Timeless Musical Legacy
With iconic songs such as “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’,” “The Surrey with the Fringe on Top,” and “People Will Say We’re in Love,” the musical has remained a favorite among audiences for generations.
LOGON’s musical director, David Waldmann, emphasizes the show’s enduring appeal, stating, “Rodgers and Hammerstein had a gift for creating music that was both sophisticated and accessible. The melodies are unforgettable, and the themes are universal.”
Director Yaacov Amsellem, who has led every LOGON production since The King and I in 2008, highlights the musical’s depth beyond its cheerful exterior.
“Oklahoma! is a story about love, jealousy, and missed opportunities, but it’s also about community, resilience, and belonging,”* he explains.
He notes that the character of Jud, often viewed as the villain, has “complicated depths that make him more than just a one-dimensional antagonist.”
A Message of Hope in Challenging Times
LOGON’s revival of Oklahoma! comes at a time when the importance of optimism and unity resonates deeply. The Negev Theater (Tiatron Otef Hanegev), where Amsellem is also a veteran actor and director, has faced immense challenges.
The company, based in the Eshkol Region, saw its communities evacuated in October 2023, yet its ensemble continues to perform around the country, sharing stories of resilience through the original play A Place to Live (Makom Lagur Bo in Hebrew).
Much like its original Broadway debut in 1943, which provided wartime audiences with a sense of hope, LOGON’s Oklahoma! seeks to offer Israeli audiences a moment of joy and escapism amid current hardships.
As Amsellem optimistically puts it, “Maybe we can inspire a bit of optimism and a bit of escapism in our own dark times.”
Upcoming Performances
The production will be performed in English with Hebrew subtitles. The tour begins in Modi’in on March 4 at 7:30 p.m., followed by stops in Beersheba, Givatayim, Ra’anana, Netanya, Jerusalem, and Rehovot.
For tickets and further information, visit: www.negevlightopera.com.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members