<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> 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>
the first collaboration of richard rodgers and oscar hammerstein ii was
the first collaboration of richard rodgers and oscar hammerstein ii was
Oklahoma !
Oklahoma !