<P> Hammerstein, a co-writer of the popular Rudolf Friml 1924 operetta Rose - Marie, and Sigmund Romberg operettas The Desert Song (1926) and The New Moon (1928), began a successful collaboration with composer Jerome Kern on Sunny (1925), which was a hit . Their 1927 musical Show Boat is considered to be one of the masterpieces of the American musical theatre . Other Hammerstein / Kern collaborations include Sweet Adeline (1929) and Very Warm for May (1939). Although the last of these was panned by critics, it contains one of Kern and Hammerstein's best - loved songs, "All the Things You Are". </P> <P> By the early 1940s, Hart had sunk deeper into alcoholism and emotional turmoil, and he became unreliable, prompting Rodgers to approach Hammerstein to ask if he would consider working with him . </P> <P> Independently of each other, Rodgers and Hammerstein had been attracted to making a musical based on Lynn Riggs' stage play Green Grow the Lilacs . When Jerome Kern declined Hammerstein's offer to work on such a project and Hart refused Rodgers' offer to do the same, Rodgers and Hammerstein began their first collaboration . The result, Oklahoma! (1943), marked a revolution in musical drama . Although not the first musical to tell a story of emotional depth and psychological complexity, Oklahoma! introduced a number of new storytelling elements and techniques . These included its use of song and dance to convey plot and character rather than act as a diversion from the story and the firm integration of every song into the plot - line . </P> <P> Oklahoma! was originally called Away We Go! and opened at the Shubert Theatre in New Haven in March 1943 . Only a few changes were made before it opened on Broadway, but three would prove significant: the addition of a show - stopping number, "Oklahoma!"; the deletion of the musical number "Boys and Girls Like You and Me", which would soon after be replaced with a reprise of "People Will Say We're in Love"; and the decision to re-title the musical after the song . </P>

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