Legendary musical, Oklahoma!, the first production of Perth based IAJ International’s 2010 Season of Classic Musicals will open at His Majesty’s on March 17 following a preview season at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre from March 11 to 13.

Directed by acclaimed musical theatre director and designer, John Senczuk (Annie Get Your Gun, Irene with Debbie Reynolds, African Queen, Les Misérables and Two Old Queens), the production features an excellent local cast including some of WA’s most talented performers, including musical theatre lead, Ian Toyne (Ali Hakim), leading actor, Michael Loney (Andrew Carne) with Richard Mellick and Alinta Carrol (as Cord and Mrs Elam) with the return to the stage of veteran performer, Chris Waddell (as Ike).

Visiting artist and TV star, Penny Cook will feature in the role of Aunt Eller alongside a young vibrant Western Australian cast including Analisa Bell, mare Cole, Sam Devenport, Sherry-Anne Hayes, Ben Hudson, Tobias Madden, Anthony Pepe, Anna Tsirigotis and Drew Weston.

An enduring and endearing story from the heartland of rural 19th Century America, Oklahoma! tells the story of a young woman, Laurey a spunky girl who runs her aunt’s farm, who is courted by two very different young men: Curly, a brash cowhand, and Jud, a surly, pathological farmhand. Her Journey to find the man of her dreams and the satisfaction of settling down with the right one underscores the journey of the territory towards progress, community and statehood.

Based on the play Green Grow the Lilacs by Lynn Riggs Oklahoma! was the first collaboration between composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist/librettist Oscar Hammerstein II. It is regarded as the first of the modern musicals. Its invigorating and sunny score include the hit numbers include Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’, The Surrey With the Fringe on Top, Kansas City, I Can’t Say No, People Will say We’re in Love and The Farmer and the Cowman and of course, the energetic title song Oklahoma!.

Oklahoma! will be presented ‘in concert’ mode, fully staged and costumed with the newly formed IAJ Performing Arts Orchestra (under the direction of respected maestro Ian Westrip) on stage. IAJ International is a Western Australian based production company dedicated to the presentation of a range of quality music theatre performances involving the wealth of local theatre talent and WAAPA graduates, alongside visiting guest artists of renown.

Mandurah bookings can be made online at www.manpac.com.au or phone 9550 3900. His Majesty’s theatre bookings are available through BOCS on 9484 1133 and/or online at www.bocsticketing.com.au – with major discounts for group bookings.