Rudy Vallee (Signed) "OKLAHOMA!" Steve Allen / Red Buttons 1979 Tryout Program

Description

This is a rare autographed May 1979 program (playbill) from the Pre-Broadway engagement of the groundbreaking RICHARD RODGERS and OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II musical comedy "OKLAHOMA!" at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, California. (The revival would open December 13th, 1979
at the Palace Theatre in New York City
and run for 293 performances.) ..... The musical starred LAURENCE GUITTARD as "Curly", CHRISTINE ANDREAS as "Laurey" and MARY WICKES as "Aunt Eller" and featured JAMIE FARR as "Ali Hakim" (replaced by
BRUCE ADLER before the Broadway opening),
CHRISTINE EBERSOLE as "Ado Annie", MARTIN VIDNOVIC as "Jud Fry", HARRY GROENER as "Will Parker" and PHILIP RASH as "Andrew Carnes" ..... CREDITS: Music by RICHARD RODGERS; Book and Lyrics by OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN 2nd based on the play "Green Grow the Lilacs" by LYNN RIGGS. (This was the first collaboration for Rodgers and Hammerstein who would go on to write "Carousel", "The King and I", "South Pacific", "Flower Drum Song" and "The Sound of Music" among others); Sets designed MICHAEL J. HOTOPP and PAUL DE PASS; Costumes designed by BILL HARGATE; Choreographed by AGNES de MILLE; Directed by STONE WIDNEY (replaced by WILLIAM HAMMERSTEIN when the production arrived in New York); Produced by ZEV BUFMAN and JAMES M. NEDERLANDER ..... DETAILS: The oversized 32 page program measures 8 1/2" X 11" inches and includes full production credits, cast list, synopsis of scenes, list of musical numbers, photos and bios of each of the leading actors and bios of each member of the creative team. Includes a single page, two-sided insert with the corrected cast list which failed to include JAMIE FARR in the actual program ..... NOTE! The front cover was signed by RUDY VALLEE, RED BUTTONS (inscribed, "Hello"), JAYNE MEADOWS (inscribed, "Love") and STEVE ALLEN who were in the Opening Night audience ..... CONDITION: With the exception of minor creasing from normal handling, this program is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any musical theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.