Satire worries R

The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization is asking Justin Tanner to remove any elements from his play “Oklahomo!,” now running in Burbank, that are derived from the musical “Oklahoma!”

Tanner contends that the only two parts of the play that quote from “Oklahoma!” -- with altered lyrics -- are so brief that he hopes the organization’s viewpoint will change after it receives a script that Tanner says is being sent.

Bert Fink, a spokesman for Rodgers & Hammerstein, said the “Oklahomo!” team had promised to send a script weeks ago, but it was never received. The organization sent a letter demanding the removal of the material after reading a review that referred to musical “numbers” with “Oklahoma!” references and hearing reports from several audience members.

Fink said the letter does not demand the closing of the show, which is primarily a satire of L.A.’s small-theater scene. The run of “Oklahomo!” at Burbank’s Third Stage was recently extended.