The GCC Mainstage Auditorium opened its doors on April 27 for the opening night of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s musical play “Oklahoma!”

First performed on Broadway in 1943, “Oklahoma!” is revered both for its memorable songs and choreography by Agnes de Mille. Songs include “Oh What a Beautiful Mornin’,” “People Will Say We’re In Love,” and the title song, “Oklahoma.”

With the simple plot of budding romance between cowboy Curly McLain (Frankie Pozos) and farmer girl Laurey Williams (Sarah Borquez), the play revels in the love story while in the background farmhand Jud Fry (Jacob Lopez) wants Laurey as his own. It becomes a fight between Curly and Jud to see who can win the heroine’s heart and escort her to the social.

Underlying the main plot, there is a short comic subplot involving Laurey’s friend, Ado Annie Carnes (Mary Garcia), who has an on-again/off-again relationship with cowboy Will Parker (Alexandre Valencia).

The show is directed by Kim Mowrey and choreographed by Melissa Randel, with musical direction by Dan Belzer.

It runs tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m., with matinees at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

– Compiled by Diana Petras