There's something deeply symbolic -- perhaps almost too much so -- about the Golden Era of the American Musical being ushered in by a song called "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'." But sometimes history is not subtle in her imagery, so here we are. The opening number to Rodgers & Hammerstein's 1943 absolute smash hit and epochal achivement, Oklahoma!, "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'" is modest and simple. And yet, it -- and the show it's from -- changed everything. Including ushering in the era of cast recordings, incidentally.

All clips are from a 1943's cast recording of Oklahoma! and are protected by the Fair Use guidelines of Section 107 of the Copyright Act for criticism and commentary. All rights reserved to the copyright owners. Listen to the SMSTS playlist on Spotify! Follow SMSTS on Instagram: @somuchstufftosing Email the show: [email protected]

Recommended Reading/Viewing:

Ethan Mordden, Anything Goes: A History of American Musical Theater (Mordden's other volumes are also excellent resources for more in-depth discussion)Broadway: The American Musical