Oklahoma (Rodgers and Hammerstein song) Oklahoma (Rodgers and Hammerstein song) "Oklahoma" is the title song from the Broadway musical "Oklahoma!", named for the setting of the musical play. The music and lyrics were written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The melody is reprised in the main title of the 1955 film version and in the overtures of both film and musical productions. In 1953, the Oklahoma legislature chose it as the state song of Oklahoma, replacing a less well-known song, "Oklahoma - A Toast", that had been adopted in 1935. Midway through the second act of the play, after the principals Curly and
Rodgers and Hammerstein named after Rodgers. "Forbes" named Rodgers and Hammerstein second on its list of top-earning dead celebrities in 2009 at $235 million. In 2010, the original film arrangements of the team's music were restored and performed at the Proms concerts in London's Royal Albert Hall by the John Wilson Orchestra. Rodgers and Hammerstein appeared on live telecasts several times. They were guests on the very first broadcast of "Toast of the Town", the original name of "The Ed Sullivan Show", when it debuted on CBS in June 1948. In 1954, they appeared on a memorable TV musical special, "". They were