Regina, Sasketchewan, Canada
November 12, 1952
Eighteen-year old blonde has big role in "Oklahoma"
by Betty McHattie
The "Rodgers" half of the famous musical-comedy writing team Rodgers and Hammerstein took a second look at a small honey blonde at one of his auditions. She not only looked good, she sounded good. He asked her if she'd mind waiting a few minutes.
As a result of those "few minutes" pert Florence Henderson was in Regina Monday with the road show of one of the biggest Rodgers and Hammerstein hits "Oklahoma."
Only 18, Florence came to New York from Rockport, Ind., a little over a year ago to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. After graduating in May she decided to have a whirl at Broadway.
Her first "break" came she said when she was one of 40 young people chosen out of 4,000 for the chorus of the new musical "Wish You Were Here."
While being in the chorus paid for her bread and butter and a room at the Three Arts club (for girls only) it didn't seem to be leading to her name in lights. So like hundreds of other young ambitious actresses and actors Florence continued her round of auditions and eventually met Mr. Rodgers.
Five Songs
Through him, Florence had an audition with the Theatre Guild producer who was casting for the road show of "Oklahoma." Two and a half weeks later they opened in New Haven, Conn., with Florence singing one of the leads. As "Laurey" she sings five songs in the production.
Although she likes all kinds of music "except maybe that hillbilly stuff," her favorite is musical comedy.
On the road reading books and writing letters fills a good deal of Florence's spare time. Especially the latter. Not only are there her friends to be kept up to date but also her family. "And I'm the youngest of 10," she added with a small grin.
Although all the Hendersons sing, Florence is the only one who has appeared on the stage. "It's something I've always wanted to do," she said earnestly.
After their three-day engagement in Regina, the company will visit Saskatoon, Calgary then Seattle and San Francisco where they'll spend Christmas. "We'll actually make a circle tour of the States before we finish in May," Florence said.
Canadian audiences she finds a bit more responsive than American audiences. "And when they're so enthusiastic you want to give them everything you've got," she added firmly.
When interviewed Monday the youthful star, very poised for her 18 short years, had her shoulder length curls brushed smoothly back. She was wearing a navy blue sweater and a glen-check skirt, her amazingly small waist cinched with a wide leather belt.