Agnes de Mille created the dances for the original Broadway production of Oklahoma!.
Oklahoma! opened on March 31, 1943, at the St. James Theatre. Richard Rodgers wrote the music and Oscar Hammerstein II wrote the book and lyrics, marking their first major collaboration as the Rodgers and Hammerstein team.
De Mille’s choreography was especially important because the production used dance to deepen character and advance the story. Her extended dream ballet, often called the “Dream Ballet,” expresses Laurey’s fears and desires without dialogue.
Jerome Robbins and Bob Fosse also became landmark Broadway choreographers, but neither created the original choreography for Oklahoma!. The musical’s integration of songs, dances, and narrative helped define the modern American musical.