Broadway is filled with magical wonders this spring. There is the literal magic performed by wizards within the groundbreaking stagecraft of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Elsa’s got a way with ice in Frozen. There is the spectacular watery wonderland of SpongeBob SquarePants. Now I can add Carousel to this list. The magic here, however, is defiantly and ingeniously old school. Santo Loquasto’s scenic design harks back to Broadway magic from when this show originally ran in 1945. This version is a scintillating combination of placing both the story and its staging in the past (cleverly painted backdrops) but adding some modern flourishes (opening carousel).
Time magazine named Rogers and Hammerstein’s Carousel the greatest American musical of the 20th Century. Having never seen this show before, I’m glad I waited for this avalanche of greatness. The book, music and lyrics are so well integrated from light-hearted comedy to the broodingly darker scenes. The melodies are gorgeous while the words give insight into these characters and their complicated feelings.
Joshua Henry (Violet, The Scottsboro Boys) plays the tightly wound but irresistible carnival barker Billy Bigelow. Jessie Mueller (Waitress) is our comparatively innocent Julie Jordan who falls for him right from the start. Both sing beautifully and the acting is so natural and detailed that these character’s personalities are heartbreakingly alive and electrically charged. The chemistry on display propels all of which follows. And that chemistry extends across all the principal performers and a superb ensemble.
Carousel and its predecessor Oklahoma are famous for their Agnes De Mille ballets. The show opens with a prelude “The Carousel Waltz” choreographed by Justin Peck. The dancing in this show is extraordinary. It’s original yet harkens back to its ballet heritage. The movement from these dancers precisely aligns with the musical notes while embracing emotion and never breaking character. Hands down the finest choreography in years.
Another big highlight is Lindsay Mendez (Significant Other) as Julie’s best friend Carrie Pipperidge. Carrie has great songs and the best jokes. Ms. Mendez nails everything perfectly in character. The first song in the show is her duet with Ms. Mueller called “You’re a Queer One, Julie Jordan.” I found it remarkable that these two actresses sounded like they were singing in a long ago style. When you add in the visual surroundings of this old school musical, the rewards are seemingly endless. We just have to thank director Jack O’Brien (The Coast of Utopia, Hairspray) for an awesome revival of a masterpiece of American musical theater. This Carousel is essential viewing and a very special brand of magic.
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