The concert was a benefit for the New York Philharmonic's pension fund.
The musical portion was preceded by a presentation called "A Documentary About Oklahoma!" This was narrated by Merv Griffin. Speakers included Alfred Drake, Celeste Holm (on tape), Armina Marshall Langner, and the governor and lieutenant governor of the state of Oklahoma (Dewey F. Bartlett and George Nigh).
When the time came for the musical portion, Skitch Henderson conducted the first act, and composer Richard Rodgers conducted the second act. The concert version was prepared by William Hammerstein.