019 Revue program

Creator

Arkansas State University - Jonesboro

Preview

Identifier

Revue Program_Page_19

Creation Date

4-23-2021

Disciplines

Arts and Humanities | Theatre and Performance Studies

Description

DRAMATURGY - “PEOPLE WILL SAY...” - CONTINUED

This was unheard of at the time, as many hit shows the decade prior did not reach over 500 performances. The success of the musical was expanded further with the 1955 movie adaptation, which won two Academy Awards for Best Scoring of a Musical Picture and Best Sound Recording.

At the time of its initial productions, America was already fighting in the middle of World War II. Prompted by current events, Oklahoma! represented a romanticized past of America’s history, built off of unity, courage, and maintaining good over evil. This served as a ray of hope and determination for Americans at the time, while the United States fought against fascist regimes in Germany and Japan.

Oklahoma! takes place at the turn of the 20th Century, where the then-territory was approaching statehood. Cowboy Curly McLain had asked local farm girl Laurey Williams to join him in the local box social, but she rejected him and decided to go with Jud Fry, a mysterious and shady farm hand. Many characters believe prior to the song that Curly and Laurey are in love with each other. This leads them to tell each other not to engage in “romantic” gestures, otherwise people will get the impression that they are in love with each other.

“People Will Say We’re in Love” is reflective of the Golden Age of musical theatre, which lasted from the mid-1940s to the 1960s. In fact, Oklahoma! is one of the first musicals in the Golden Age time period. This song features larger, grand orchestration with rural folk influences and a slower tempo. Microphones were not used at this time, so much of the show is written and orchestrated so the voice can naturally project over an orchestra. Soprano and Baritone voices were more commonly written as leads, as they were vocal ranges that were the strongest to cut through the orchestra. Also, the instruments were written to avoid frequencies where the voice was singing, so there would be less “competition” between an instrument and a voice.

Publisher

Arkansas State University

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