Show Synopsis:
Curley McLain and Jud Fry have both asked Laurey Williams to the box social dance, and even though she likes Curley, Laurey accepts Jud to spite Curley's teasing nature. Ado Annie has been seeing the Persian peddlar Ali Hakim while her sweetheart Will was in Kansas City and does not want to choose between the two of them. Annie's father Andrew forces Ali to propose to Annie while Curley tries to convince Jud to go to the dance with someone else. Laurey has a smelling salt-induced nightmare where she realizes that Curley is the man she wants, but she leaves for the dance with Jud anyway. Ali buys all of Will's souvenirs from Kansas City so that Will will have an acceptable amount of money for Andrew to approve of him proposing to Annie. In the basket auction, where men bid on the women's baskets and thus win dates with them, Ali tries to outbid Will so that Will will save his money, and Curley and Jud enter a bidding war in which Curley sells everything he has to win Laurey's basket. Annie promises Will she will not flirt with other men if they marry and Jud threatens Laurey, who accepts Curley's proposal of marriage. Three weeks later, a drunken Jud reappears at their wedding and tries to kill Curley, accidentally killing himself in the process. Laurey and Curley go off on their honeymoon.

Character:
Curley McLain, a young man with his heart in the right place who wants to fight for Laurey's love.
Laurey Williams, an independent young woman in love with Curley.

Song Context:
Curley tries to convince Laurey to go to the box social with him instead of Jud, but she does not know how to say no to Jud. Neither of them want to admit their feelings for each other.

Fun Facts:
1. This musical was based on a play by Lynn Riggs called Green Grow the Lilacs. 
2. This musical was the first collaboration between Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. 
3. Joan Rivers originated the role of Laurey on Broadway. She originally auditioned for the role of Ado Annie and was cast as Laurey because her soprano voice suited an ingenue role better.