Hugh Jackman fans have two days to catch cinema release of 1998 recording of 'Oklahoma!'

Two years before his role as Wolverine in the film "X-Men" established him as an international movie star, Hugh Jackman played one of the most famous singing cowboys in pop culture history: Curly McLain in "Oklahoma!"

As the Australian actor readies to reprise the role of Wolverine in the eagerly awaited film "Deadpool 3," a filmed performance of his musical theater breakout is making its way to movie theaters.

The National Theatre of Great Britain's acclaimed 1998 production of "Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!," starring Jackman, is getting an international cinema release July 16 and 19.

Trafalgar Releasing, in partnership with Concord Originals and The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, is showing the filmed version of the stage show in more than 800 cinemas around the globe to mark the 25th anniversary of the Olivier Award-winning production.

The special two-day-only theatrical release also is part of this year's 80th anniversary celebration of the 1943 Broadway debut for "Oklahoma!"

“The 80th anniversary of 'Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!' allows us to share this quintessential slice of Americana with global fans,” said Kymberli Frueh, senior vice president of content and programming acquisitions at Trafalgar Releasing, in a statement.

“This particular production is acknowledged as one of the best through the eight decades of performances in theaters around the world."

What is the musical 'Oklahoma!' about and why is it so iconic?

"Oklahoma!" made its Broadway debut on March 31, 1943, and the revolutionary show was an immediate smash, launching a record-setting five-year run of 2,212 performances and earning a special Pulitzer Prize for its now-legendary creators, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. 

The show is now considered one of the most influential musicals ever produced, with Jeffrey Moore, executive director of the under-construction OKPOP Museum in Tulsa, likening "Oklahoma!" to "the 'Hamilton' of its day."

"I don't think people today fully grasp the impact that 'Oklahoma!' had — not just on the world of stage performance, but on international entertainment. The songs from the musical are ubiquitous now, and you can't separate those songs and that play and the subsequent film from people's imaginations of what Oklahoma is supposed to be," he told The Oklahoman.

Based on the play “Green Grow the Lilacs" by Lynn Riggs, a Cherokee writer from Claremore, the story is set in Indian Territory on the brink of Oklahoma statehood. The show centers on a love triangle between feisty farm girl Laurey Williams and her two suitors: the cocky yet affable cowboy Curly McLain and the solitary, troubled farmhand Jud Fry. A secondary romantic tangle involves Laurey's flirtatious friend Ado Annie, her cowboy beau Will Parker and traveling peddler Ali Hakim.

To tell the story, Rodgers and Hammerstein were willing to boot the usual musical theater rules, including hiring ballet dancer and choreographer Agnes de Mille to choreograph the show.

"They were panned originally: People did not think that the show was going to go well. ... Having a ballet in it? What is that? You didn't have ballets in musicals. So, they completely changed the landscape of musical theater," said Ashley Wells, executive producer for Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, which launched its 60-year run with its 1963 production of "Oklahoma!"

The popular production became the first Broadway show to record an original cast album, which made buoyant numbers like "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'," "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top" and "I Cain't Say No" even more accessible. In 1953, future Oklahoma Gov. George Nigh introduced legislation to make the soaring title theme the state song. 

“Eighty years after first premiering on Broadway, 'Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!' is recognized as a theatrical landmark,” said Imogen Lloyd Webber, senior vice president at Concord Theatricals, said in a statement.

What is special about the 1998 London production coming to theaters?

In July 1998, the National Theatre in London opened a new revival of "Oklahoma!" directed by three-time Tony Award winner Trevor Nunn ("Cats," "Les Misérables") with new choreography by five-time Tony recipient Susan Stroman ("The Producers," "Crazy for You").

Along with then-newcomer Jackman, the production starred Josefina Gabrielle as Laurey, Tony and Olivier Award winner Shuler Hensley as Jud Fry, Maureen Lipman as Aunt Eller, Vicki Simon as Ado Annie, Jimmy Johnston as Will Parker and Peter Polycarpou as Ali Hakim.

The creative team included set and costume designer Anthony Ward, lighting designer David Hersey, music director John Owen Edwards and orchestrator Robert Russell Bennett, with additional orchestrations by William David Brohn and new dance music arranged by David Krane.

“I like this version because you saw Laurey in overalls, and as someone who worked the ranch, that was very refreshing to me,” Wells said.

Fifty-five years after "Oklahoma!" debuted on Broadway, the revival was a hit across the pond. The production transferred to London’s West End in 1999 and won four Olivier Awards, including Outstanding Musical Production.

The revival was filmed following its record-breaking 1998 run in London, showcased the following year on PBS' "Great Performances" and released on DVD ahead of its upcoming theatrical release.

A future Oscar nominee for his turn in the 2012 movie musical "Les Misérables," Jackman earned strong notices for his work in "Oklahoma!," with Variety writing in 1998 that it's "hard to imagine a more immediately charming Curly."

Which Oklahoma City movie theaters are showing 'Oklahoma!' starring Hugh Jackman?

In honor of its 25th anniversary, the filmed version of the 1998 London revival of "Oklahoma!" will show July 16 and 19 at movie theaters across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Norway and Australia.

In the Oklahoma City area, "Oklahoma!" will play at AMC Quail Springs Mall 24, Cinemark Tinseltown 20 + XD, Harkins Bricktown, Rodeo Cinema, the ICON Edmond 8 and the ICON Windsor OKC.

For tickets and showtimes, go to https://oklahomaincinemas.com or the website or box office of the movie theater of your choice.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: 'Oklahoma!' musical with Hugh Jackman is getting movie theater shows