Carousel
The real spinning carousel in this production is love. That, for better and worse, is what makes nature churn - and the world go round - in this show's blissful, anguished universe.
The New York Times
Why see Carousel?
This Star-Studded Revival Must Close September 16
Winner of five Drama Desk Awards and two 2018 Tony Awards including Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical for Lindsay Mendez
Rodgers and Hammerstein's sweeping Carousel heads back to Broadway, with Tony winner Jessie Mueller (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Waitress), Tony nominee Joshua Henry (Violet, the national tour of Hamilton), Margaret Colin, Alexander Gemignani (Hamilton) and opera superstar Renee Fleming.
One of the finest musicals of Broadway's golden age, and Richard Rodgers favorite of his own works, Carousel is a top to bottom crowd-pleaser, a musically sophisticated show that spans both decades and dimensions. Among the scores many iconic numbers are 'You'll Never Walk Alone' and 'June is Bustin' Out All Over'. The story centers on the destructive but ultimately redemptive romance between Billy Bigelow and Julie Jordan, that continues even after Billy is dead.
Helmed by Tony winner Jack O'Brien (The Front Page, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory), this brand new production boasts choreography by New York City Ballet's Resident Choreographer Justin Peck, who promises "an even more dance-and-movement-focused production."
What is Carousel About?
After a whirlwind romance, hot-headed carousel barker Billy Bigelow and factory worker Julie Jordan tie the knot, but not before they both lose their jobs. Desperate for money, Billy reverts back to his old life of crime, falling in with his pal Jigger Craigin, and together they plot to rob Julie's former boss, mill owner Mr. Bascombe. The robbery does not go according to plan - Mr. Bascombe draws a gun on the pair and Jigger flees, leaving Billy cornered and surely facing a long stretch in prison. Utterly defeated, Billy turns a knife upon himself to avoid capture.
Fifteen years later, Billy is given the chance to repair the damage he has done, and returns to earth from 'up there' to make amends with Julie.
Key Information
Run Time
Two hours and 45 minute, including one intermission
Dates
Finished Sep 16, 2018
Cast
Jessie Mueller as Julie Jordan
Joshua Henry as Billy Bigelow
Renee Fleming as Nettie Fowler
Amar Ramasar as Jigger
Brittany Pollack as Louise
Alexander Gemignani as Enoch Snow
Margaret Colin as Mrs Mullin
Lindsay Mendez as Carrie Pepperidge
John Douglas Thompson as Starkeeper
Creative
Directed by Jack O'Brien
Choreography by Justin Peck
Score by Richard Rodgers
Book & Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Awards
Tony Awards 2018 - Wins
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical - Lindsay Mendez
Best Choreography
Tony Awards, 2018 - Nominations
Best Revival of a Musical
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical - Joshua Henry
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical - Jessie Mueller
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical - Alexander Gemignani
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical - Renée Fleming
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical - Lindsay Mendez
Best Costume Design of a Musical
Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Best Sound Design of a Musical
Best Choreography
Best Orchestrations
DRAMA LEAGUE AWARDS, 2018 - NOMINATIONS
Distinguished Performance Award - Joshua Henry, Jessie Mueller
Outstanding Production Of A Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical
Drama Desk Awards 2018 - Wins
Outstanding Actress in a Musical - Jessie Mueller
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical - Lindsay Mendez
The LaDuca Award for Outstanding Choreography - Justin Peck
Outstanding Fight Choreography
Outstanding Orchestrations
Drama Desk Awards 2018 - Nominations
Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Outstanding Actor in a Musical - Joshua Henry
Outstanding Actress in a Musical - Jessie Mueller
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical - Alexander Gemignani
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical - Lindsay Mendez
Outstanding Director of a Musical - Jack O'Brien
The LaDuca Award for Outstanding Choreography - Justin Peck
Outstanding Orchestrations - Jonathan Tunick
Outstanding Set Design for a Musical - Santo Loquato
Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical - Scott Leher
Reviews
Our review
Touching, timeless, beautiful
Carousel's return to Broadway could not be timelier - the iconic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical explores domestic violence in Maine in the late 19th century as well as prejudice, jealousy and control.
Nicola Quinn
Customer reviews
19 reviews, average rating: (3.9 Stars)
Marsha
Amazing Experience
Forever an ardent fan of the engaging score from Carousel as a child, I loved this revival.
Joshua Henry had a fabulous voice and his ‘Soliliqy’ was outstanding , I feel he was miscast as
a black man in this role, and didn’t feel the connection between his Billy and Jesse Mueller’s
Julie as was originally written in a theme about life in a New England Fishing village. We are not
looking for politically correct here the likes of which include also domestic abuse, and animal
abuse (harpooning whales), as well as women’s rights. Yet the powerful sets, the engaging
choreography, the haunting musical score, Renee Fleming .. these blended into a glorious
show which I will hold in my heart as one of the best on Broadway! Go see it! ... Read more
Barry
Beyond words
Not sure which superlative to use without
sounding corny. From orchestration and
choreography to acting and singing, the
talent is the very best that broadway has to
offer! The dancing showcases the ballet
background of many of the cast members.
Some of them being principal dancers with
major ballet companies. Wonderfully
inventive set design. And the voices, Oh the
beautiful voices. I only hope they make a
cast recording. I saw the show 5 days into
previews and did not experience any of the
negatives expressed by other reviewers.
Our seats in the second row center were
excellent for viewing, but legroom was a
little tight in this theater. ... Read more
Jane
Thrilled Me!
The acting, dancing and singing were suerb.
Heartfelt story. Worth it! ... Read more
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