Even in today's world, an innocent story of love in the Wild West has a place: Oklahoma.

"It is the perfect getaway, local getaway for two hours," said Marcus Olson, director of MSU Department of Theatre's production of the musical "Oklahoma!" "It wasn't trite, silly stuff."

The show, which closes out the department's season, premieres at 7:30 p.m. today at Wharton Center's Pasant Theatre and shows at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The play also runs next weekend, closing with a 2 p.m. matinee April 20.

The story of "Oklahoma!" is set in the state of the same name in the early 20th century, while it was still a U.S. territory. Curly, the young male protagonist, is in love with Laurey, who is looking for a date to the box-social. Laurey also loves Curly but decides to make him jealous by asking the despicable Jud, a hired hand, to the social. Throughout the show, the love affair of Curly and Laurey is in constant danger of never flowering.

Originally premiering on Broadway in 1943 during World War II, Olson said it is perfect timing for the show.

"The people were sick and tired of reading the headlines," he said. "'Oklahoma!' is about a time when we were becoming a country. Here is a musical that celebrates all the good things about being American."

Dixie Durr, a professor of dance, choreographed the entire musical. Durr said she tried to incorporate what was going on within the story with the dancing.

"One of the challenges you have is bringing (everyone) to performance level," she said. "More women come into a university with dance experience than men.

"It's been an interesting experience. I have enjoyed all of it."

Theater sophomore Nathaniel Nose plays Curly and went so far as to learn horseback riding for the part. Nose said everyone is looking forward to tonight.

"I'm told a couple of the shows are sold out," he said. "The show is ready to be transformed by an audience."