Oklahoma! Script 2017 Announcer 1 Welcome partners to our show Oklahoma! We re here to give you a musical taste of our great state. Before we begin, here is just a friendly reminder or two. Please turn off the sound on any noise making devices. And if you can t turn off your little noise making device (wa wa) please escort it to the lobby so that it does not bother others. Announcer 2 Applause is all we need. Just save the whoopin and hollerin at our fine performers until after of the show. We know your yeehawing on the inside and we don t want you to miss a minute! Both: Thank you kindly and enjoy the show! 1
Speaker #1: Speaker #2: Speaker #3: Speaker #4: Speaker #5: Speaker #6: The music of America is rich and varied. It reminds us of where we are, where we have been, Where we are going, and sometimes where we long to be. Listen now as we use our music To shine a spotlight on the history Of our great state of Oklahoma. A treaty signed in eighteen-o-three Allowed America to greatly enhance, Its size, its wealth, and its holdings Through a deal it made with France! Known as the Louisiana Purchase It consisted of a huge tract of land Costing sixty million francs It was handled by Jefferson first hand. From the Mississippi to the Rockies, The President took the prize, After making on stroke of his mighty pen, America doubled in size! The land now called Oklahoma, Was part of the purchase price, It was a land both rich and plentiful, Spacious and mighty nice! Song: Oklahoma Minor Melody 2
Speaker #7: Speaker #8: Speaker #9: Speaker #10: Speaker #11: Jefferson and others saw this new patch of country As a solution to the problem that was then at hand; Native Americans and white settlers Trying to sort out who was owner of America s lands. West of the Mississippi was now decided to be A new Indian Territory Where American Indians would settle To live as they pleased. Many tribes were moved to Oklahoma With very little choice The Kiowa, Muscogee, and the Cherokee to name a few Were forced to give their homelands For one that was totally new. But despite it all, these tribes soon called Oklahoma home They kept their people and cultures together And their rich heritage continued to grow. The Choctaw tribe originally came from Mississippi, but were moved to Oklahoma in the 1830 s through treaties with the United States. The journey was harsh and the march of tribes to Oklahoma Would eventually be called the Trail of Tears 3
Speaker #12: Speaker #13: Speaker #14:. The Choctaw like many tribes have a great respect for nature and especially the animals that are native to their home. The Duck is respected much for its feathers which were used for arrows and its great value in trade. This dance shows the ducks diving underneath the water or a bridge in search of food. The Raccoon Dance is meant to show respect for that cheeky animal. It is meant to represent raccoons chasing each other through the corn. Song: Racoon Dance/ Duck Dance 4
Speaker #15 Speaker #16 Speaker #17 Following the dreaded Civil War, Oklahoma began to boom! The cattle industry led the way, Because there was plenty of room. Songs were sung in the saddles, By cowboys on the range Who pushed their doggies northward For monetary exchange! Sometimes even the best cowpoke Needed some time to unwind; So barn raisings and square dances Were found as a great way to pass the time. Song: Trail Medley 5
Speaker #18: Speaker #19: Speaker #20 Speaker #21: Narrator # 22: In Oklahoma land was offered To every father and son, All they had to earn it, Was to participate in a run. Six land runs were held From eighty-nine to ninety-five, Settlers determined to claim land First had to stay alive! On April 22, 1889 settlers lined up at check points all over the Oklahoma Territory and waited. With flags in hand and horses and wagons at the ready, these men and women waited for the sound of the gun. The sound to signal the first ever land race. Then Boom! The gun was fired and They were off in a mad dash to pick their favorite piece of land. It must have been quite a sight to see! As one witness put it, The rifles snapped and the line broke with a huge, crackling roar. In a matter of a few short hours, Oklahoma went from open prairie to a settled territory. Song: Oklahoma Run 6
Speaker #23: The Land Run was the beginning of Oklahoma s history as a territory but certainly a lot more has happened to the people in our future state. Speaker #24: Oil seeping from the ground was found in 1859 It was used for lamp oil and repelling tics on cows But very little else, Until the Nellie Johnstone #1 was drilled in 1889. Speaker #25: An oil boom began that would boost the young territory Bringing money and worldwide fame As Oklahoma became number one in the worldwide oilgame Speaker #26: Oil would make Oklahoma quickly win its statehood And bring about a new kind of wrangler called the Oklahoma Roughneck Song: Oklahoma Roughneck 7
Speaker #27: It was the year of nineteen-o- seven when Oklahoma became a state! Everybody was happy, And stopped to celebrate! Speaker #28: Today all Oklahomans Contribute to the plan To make Oklahoma the very best State throughout the land Song : Oklahoma with Soloists 8
Speaker #29: Times were good for our state Until the end of the 1920 s When the Dust Bowl came to stay. Speaker #30: Speaker #31: New farmers with little experience were No match for the drought that was at hand And the great wind storms That caused great devastation through the land. Though Oklahoma has had its hard times like the Dust Bowl and the Trail Tears. Oklahomans seem to rise in the face of their fears. Song: Oklahoma Rising 9
Speaker #32: Speaker #33: Oklahoma is a land of many sides People came to seek fortunes They came from far and near Joined by Native Americans Who had suffered on the Trail of Tears, But through all the good times and bad We have become a family with Oklahoma as our badge. Song: Oklahoma! (Without Solos) 10