Sunday March 8, 2026 – 11:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Please join the UWC for a full day of delightful entertainment and camaraderie. To celebrate the beloved musical Oklahoma!, we will begin with a Western-theme barbecue brunch prepared by the catering company, A Spice of Life. The brunch will be followed by a talk on Oklahoma! by Maestro Nicholas Carthy, who will be directing the performance immediately after his talk with us! The brunch and Maestro Carthy’s talk will take place in the British and Irish Studies Room on the 5th floor of Norlin Library. This location is a very short walk to Macky Auditorium where we will be treated to the celebrated Rogers and Hammerstein musical, Oklahoma!
Students of the CU Boulder College of Music and the CU Boulder Eklund Opera Program together will perform Oklahoma! Great repertoire, beautiful scenery, amazing voices and outstanding value—these are the hallmarks of the CU Boulder College of Music Ekland Opera Program.
For information, please contact Sandy Johnson at the UWC email, boulderuwc@gmail.com or call at 732-322-8695.
Sandy Johnson, Opera Brunch Chair
To whet your appetite, here is a brief summary of the musical, Oklahoma!:
Music by Richard Rogers Books and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Based on the play “Green Grow the Lilacs” by Lynn Riggs
Original choreography by Agnes de Mille
In a Western territory just after the turn of the 20th century, a high-spirited rivalry between local farmers and cowboys provides a colorful background for Curly, a charming cowboy, and Laurey, a feisty farm girl, to play out their love story. Their romantic journey, as bumpy as a surrey ride down a country road, contrasts with the comic exploits of brazen Ado Annie and hapless Will Parker in a musical adventure embracing hope, determination, and the promise of a new land. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s exuberant classic features iconic songs including “Oklahoma!,” “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’,” “The Surrey with the Fringe on Top” and “People Will Say We’re in Love.”
Join us for a BBQ-themed buffet in celebration of the play Oklahoma! Enjoy a delicious spread featuring BBQ chicken, BBQ tofu for our vegetarian guests, creamy mac & cheese, grilled seasonal vegetables, refreshing watermelon feta salad, and an array of assorted desserts. It’s the perfect way to savor great food while sharing the excitement of this classic musical!