Oklahoma! became the first Broadway musical to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1944.
The musical opened on Broadway at the St. James Theatre on March 31, 1943. Richard Rodgers wrote the music and Oscar Hammerstein II wrote the book and lyrics, beginning their celebrated partnership. The story follows farm girl Laurey Williams and cowboy Curly McLain in Oklahoma Territory.
The Pulitzer recognized the show's innovative integration of songs, dances, and dramatic storytelling. Its songs advance the plot rather than appearing as separate entertainment numbers, and Agnes de Mille's ballet helped establish dance as a major storytelling device in musical theater.
Oklahoma! is sometimes confused with later Rodgers and Hammerstein successes such as Carousel and South Pacific. It was also the first musical adapted from a play by the team, Lynn Riggs's Green Grow the Lilacs.