Rodgers, Richard

Richard Rodgers (composer 1902-1979) and Oscar Hammerstein II (librettist/lyricist, 1895-1960) joined forces in 1943 to create the most successful partnership in American musical theater. Their first musical, "Oklahoma!, " was also the first of a new genre, the musical play, blending Rodgers' sophisticated style of musical comedy with Hammerstein's innovations in opera. "Oklahoma!" was followed by" Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, " and "The Sound of Music, " among others. Collectively the Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals earned thirty-four Tony Awards, fifteen Academy Awards, two Pul