A Discussion on Carousel

On August 3, I got to attend a performance of Carousel on Broadway and I’ve never been to a show that was as thought provoking as this one. I’m gonna go ahead and start with the performances that were put on during the show.

First, Joshua Henry. I went in knowing that he was going to be phenomenal but I was really taken by surprise with how AMAZING he really was. I was familiar with Carousel before, but this was my first time seeing a live production and he is the DEFINITE Billy Bigelow. There were so many moments where I actually sympathized for the character and where I could really understand his motives even though they weren’t the best. He did such a great job with letting the audience know how he felt, and why he didn’t always go with his feelings anyways. His Soliloquy was most definitely his best highlight and I’m still in shock that he didn’t win a Tony Award this year, he was just THAT good.

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Jessie Mueller and Joshua Henry

Next, Jessie Mueller. I knew that Jessie was a star before, but I was really concerned with what this role would give her, since it isn’t as big of a role as the ones that she’s previously played. She was breathtaking. Julie Jordan is usually just played off as “the girl next door” to many people familiar with the show, but her performance made her come across as so much more. It was so easy to see why she stayed with Billy even when he was wrong to her. There were some moments in her acting where even just one of her facial expressions could have worked for the scene, even without any song or dialogue, she’s just THAT amazing, and I was really shocked, yet happy, with what she did with the role and made it more than how it’s typically portrayed. 

Lindsay Mendez STOLE THE WHOLE SHOW! From the moment she sang Mister Snow, I could tell why she won a well deserved Tony this year. Carrie Pipperidge, compared to the rest of the characters, is probably the only one who knows what’s for the best, and does what’s for the best. Lindsay was most definitely 

Lindsay Mendez

the funniest in the show. In all of her scenes, she was just able to make you empathize and laugh with her. She was so brilliant and it was very interesting to hear her sing classical soprano in a role I never would have guessed she would play, but she did a great job.

Renée Fleming was enjoyable. There wasn’t a lot for her to do with the role of Nettie, but I think she did a fine job. I was impressed with her songs and with her scenes, but I wish that there was more for her to do in the show. She used what she could could and did the most with it, which was good. I will say that her relationships were very clear and that she was essentially, a mother to everyone who worked at her spa which I thought was nice.

Now, the production as a whole, I thought was great! I will admit, it was very unclear what Billy’s motives were before he met Julie, and I wish that there was more to the book of the show, but I guess it was fine. There were several moments where the motives of the characters were unclear and I’m not too sure on whether it’s a direction issue or an issue with the book. I will say that the choreography was STUNNING! Ive never seen so many emotions radiate off of a stage just from dance, but Justin Peck did a great job of making sure that his

The ensemble of Carousel

dance incorporated storytelling and emotion, it was just really amazing. I also really enjoyed the set! It wasn’t too glamorous and pretty, but what they had worked and it was really nice to look at— ESPECIALLY THE STARS AND THE MOON! The score and the orchestra are both so lavish and beautiful! I knew the music beforehand, but hearing it live is one of a kind, it’s so pretty! Overall, I’d give the production 4 stars.. I thought it was done perfectly with the exceptions of some wrong direction at some points. I’d recommend seeing the show at the Imperial Theater before it closes on September 16!

SPOILER AND TRIGGER WARNING (SUICIDE), I RECOMMEND READING FORWARD ONLY IF YOU’RE FAMILIAR WITH THE SHOW OR IF YOU’RE COMFORTABLE WITH THE MATERIAL!

When this revival was announced, lots of controversy began to stir because of the show’s themes and some of the topics. It’s known that Billy hits Julie and I think that’s one of the disturbing elements of the show. When Billy kills himself, and leaves pregnant Julie alone to raise their daughter, it really left me thinking that what he did wasn’t worth it. He caused Julie a lot of distress, and while he wanted to get money for their future child, there were better ways to do so rather than robbing someone. A lot of people think that Billy owed Julie and their daughter, Louise, an apology and I think that he already gave her one.

When Billy was offered to go down to Earth to view what his daughter’s life is like, he then truly regretted his actions and what his reputation was, and how people stamped that on Louise. When he saw how he treated Julie and how he made her feel, that’s when he knew he was wrong and that he was sorry. I’m in now way excusing abuse, but I understand Billy’s intentions. So, by the end of the show, I truly understood why people say that it’s a big story of redemption.