Latin GRAMMY-Winning Cuban-American Conductor Dr Yalil Guerra to Lead Pepperdine's Oklahoma!
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LOS ANGELES - OhioPen -- Dr. Yalil Guerra, a Cuban-born composer, conductor, guitarist, arranger, producer, and educator, will lead the music for Pepperdine University's production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma! The production is part of the 2026–27 season at the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts.

Directed and choreographed by Kelly Todd, Oklahoma! will be presented at Smothers Theatre November 13–15 and November 19–21, 2026. The musical features music by Richard Rodgers and a book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. It is based on Lynn Riggs's play Green Grow the Lilacs, with original dances by Agnes de Mille.

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As conductor, Guerra will guide the production's musical performance, bringing together the musicians and cast in a score that includes beloved songs such as "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'" and "People Will Say We're in Love."

Based in Los Angeles, Guerra is a Latin GRAMMY-winning artist whose work spans concert music, film and television, performance, and music education. He is the founder and musical director of the Guerra String Orchestra, founder and director of the Hispano String Quartet, and bandleader of the Yamila and Yalil Guerra Cuban Latin Band.

Performances are Friday and Saturday, November 13–14 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, November 15 at 2 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, November 19–20 at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, November 21 at 2 p.m. General admission is $23, with discounted tickets for Pepperdine students, faculty, and staff. For tickets and production information, visit Pepperdine's Oklahoma!page.