Step into your boots and dust off your cowboy hat, because “Oklahoma!” is back in Atlanta. Appearing at The Fox Theatre tonight through June 29, audiences are sure to enjoy the classic musical, which was the first collaboration between Broadway legends Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.

Set in the early part of the 20th century when Oklahoma was still Indian Territory, the fierce rivalry between the local farmers and cowboys provides the colorful background against which Curly, a handsome cowboy, and Laurey, a winsome farm girl, fall in love. The road to true love never runs smooth, and with these two headstrong romantics holding the reins, the journey is a delightfully bumpy ride. The score includes “Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin’,” “The Surrey With The Fringe On Top,” “People Will Say We’re In Love,” and the title song “Oklahoma!”

“Oklahoma!” is based on the play “Green Grow The Lilacs” by Lynn Riggs with music by Rodgers and book and lyrics by Hamerstein and features original dances by Agnes de Mille.

Director Norb Joerder’s work can be seen from Broadway to regional theaters across America, as well as European and International productions. He reunited Robert Goulet and “Camelot” for a critically acclaimed revival on Broadway and a record breaking national tour. In New York, he has directed and choreographed revivals of “42nd Street” with Jerry Orbach and Tammy Grimes, “La Cage Aux Folles” with Gene Barry and Lee Roy Reams, “Gypsy” with Lanie Kazan, “Guys and Dolls” with Vic Damone, “The Music Man” with John Schneider, “Annie Get Your Gun” with Andrea McArdle and “My Fair Lady” with Michael Moriarty.

Regionally he has worked for Theater of the Stars in Atlanta, Theater Under The Stars in Houston, the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, Dallas Summer Musicals in Dallas and Music Fair Productions in New York and Pennsylvania. He has also staged over 25 musicals for The Jupiter Theatre and Richard Akins Productions of Jupiter, Fla. For his work there, Norb was nominated over 12 times and received the Carbonell Award for excellence in theater in southern Florida.

Gemze de Lappe is an American dancer, teacher and choreographer who worked closely with famed choreographer Agnes de Mille and was frequently partnered with de Mille's favorite male dancer, James Mitchell. Originally trained by Irma Duncan, Isadora Duncan’s adopted daughter, and Michel Fokine, de Lappe began her career in Fokine's company. At an early age she became one of the leading members of the Agnes de Mille Dance Theatre Company.

She was featured in the first national company of “Oklahoma!” (1943) and in1947 she traveled to London to dance in “Oklahoma!” and began to do work in staging and choreography. On Broadway she was the premiere dancer in productions of “Oklahoma!” as well as “Carousel,” “Brigadoon” and “Paint Your Wagon.” She also appeared in “The King and I” for Jerome Robbins, both in the original Broadway production and in the film, as “King Simon of Legree.”

Theater of the Stars’ production of “Oklahoma!” features Jennifer Evans as Laurey. Her national tour credits include “Jersey Boys,” “Annie” – the 30th anniversary tour – and “The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas,” starring Ann-Margret.

Nicholas Rodriguez portrays Curly. He made his Broadway debut in “Tarzan” and starred opposite Val Kilmer in the recent Los Angeles production of “The Ten Commandments.”

Ruth Williamson will star as Aunt Ella. This past January she was seen as Miss Hannigan in “Annie” in Theater of the Stars’ production at the Fox Theatre. Her Broadway credits include “La Cage Aux Folles,” “The Music Man,” “Little Me,” “Guys & Dolls,” “Smile” and “Annie.” On film she’s appeared in “Evan Almighty,” “The Producers,” “Legally Blonde II” and “Malcolm X” and on television she has a recurring role as Mrs. Grubman on “Nip/Tuck.”

Betsy Dilellio is Ado Annie. This past January she was featured in Theater of the Stars’ production of “Annie” as Lily St. Regis. Her national tour credits include “The Light In The Piazza.” In November 2007 she appeared in the Oscar Hammerstein Award Concert Honoring Joseph Stein.

Atlanta native Glenn Rainey will play Andrew Carnes. He recently closed the Broadway company of “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” as Cogsworth, having played the role in the first national tour. Rainey is well-known as the junk-food eating psychopath Otto in Horizon Theatre’s production of “Nicky Silver’s The Food Chain.” He appeared in the films “Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil,” “The Shaggy Dog” and “Enchanted.”

Christopher Vettel will appear as Cord Elam. Atlanta audiences have seen him at the Fox Theatre in “Annie” as Bert Healy and as Cliff in the national tour of “Sunset Boulevard.” He has been a soloist with the Opera Company of Boston, Opera Cleveland and the Boston Symphony Orchestra (in the final concert conducted by Leonard Bernstein).

Danae Carter stars as Dream Laurey. Carter attended Contra Costa Ballet Centre and the San Francisco Ballet School. She most recently played the role of Emily in Agnes de Mille’s “A Rose For Emily” which was staged by Gemze de Lappe.

Ben Crawford portrays Jud and Dream Jud. His Broadway credits include the role of Jean Valjean in “Les Misérables.” Phillip Skaggs is Dream Curly. He danced with the Hartford Ballet in 1997 and joined the Richmond Ballet in 1999.

The creative team for “Oklahoma!” includes Robert Strickland as musical director and conductor, Michael Schweikardt as set designer, Kirk Bookman as lighting designer, Peter Fitzgerald and Erich Bechtel as sound designers, Jeffrey Meek as costume designer and Bill Newberry as children’s musical director.

Theater of the Stars will present Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!” at the Fabulous Fox Theatre from June 27-29. Performances are scheduled for Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 and 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster. Purchases through Ticketmaster can be made in three ways: at Ticketmaster ticket centers, by calling 404-817-8700, or by ordering online at www.ticketmaster.com. For group ticket sales, call the Fox Theatre Group Sales Office at 404-881-2000. Ticket prices range from $25-68.

Theater of the Stars is celebrating their 56th anniversary as one of the nation’s premier theater companies. A civic not-for-profit cultural treasure, Theater of the Stars is dedicated to presenting and producing the best in musical theater. To learn more, visit www.theaterofthestars.com.

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