Rose State College celebrates Jewish songwriters such as Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, songwriters of “Oklahoma!” Now open, “A Fine Romance: Jewish Songwriters, American Songs” illustrates the impact of Jewish songwriters on American musicals.
“There are going to be eight large panels, and they’re basically posters that illustrate the Jewish songwriters from that time period,” said Brad Robison, special projects librarian at Rose State.
Rose State is one of the 55 libraries across the nation that will display the collection. Robison went through an application process to bring the exhibit to Oklahoma City, despite the city’s small Jewish population.
right, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein joke with “South Pacific” actresses Mary Martin, Janet Blair and Martha Wright.
Nextbook Inc., a nonprofit group devoted to supporting Jewish literature, culture and heritage, and the American Library Association Public Programs Office, created the exhibit.
“The purpose of this is to show the impact that Jewish songwriters have had on American culture, so it’s going to be pretty cool,” Robison said.
The panels serve as a shrine to Jewish songwriters from 1910 to 1965, with some representing a single songwriter, a group of songwriters or a particular musical.
“A Fine Romance” is on display through Dec. 4 in the Rose State Learning Resources Center, 6420 S.E. 15th in Midwest City.
“The Jewish community here has really been tremendous in supporting it,” Robison said.
For more information, call 733-7673 or visit rose.edu. —Carmen Forman
