By Karen Carter | Posted on March 03, 2018 6:59 PM
Carousel Began Previews on February 28, 2018 in New Revival at the Imperial Theatre Directed by Jack O’Brien and Starring Renee Fleming, Joshua Henry, and Jessie Mueller.
Jack O’Brien Directs Rodgers and Hammerstein Musical
On February 28, 2018, Carousel began previews in a revival at the Imperial Theatre, scheduled to open on April 12, 2018. Carousel was only Rodgers and Hammerstein's second collaboration, after juggernaut Oklahoma! Carousel premiered on Broadway in 1945 (two years before the Tony Awards existed), winning the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Musical. After playing 890 performances on Broadway, the show went on to tour for two years, including five months in Chicago alone, covering 15,000 miles and encompassing 20 states and two Canadian cities.
The show returned to the Majestic Theatre on Broadway, planning to fill the theatre until South Pacific took over (although it didn't quite make it that far). Then, the show played London’s West End in 1950, remaining there for over 1.5 years. That was an incredible beginning for this celebrated musical, which has since been revived on Broadway in 1954, 1957, and most recently in 1994.
With over two decades having passed since then, it is due time for a revival. However, time will tell whether there is demand for this show that may perhaps be considered dated.
An Excellent Cast of Accomplished Broadway Performers
Producer Scott Rudin (Hello, Dolly!) is known for bringing together an all-star cast but this revival may not be such a shoe-in. While the actors are certainly accomplished, they may not carry the weight of Bette Midler. Nevertheless, they are incredibly impressive. Nettie Fowler is played by Renée Fleming, best known for her superb opera accomplishments. She has been awarded the National Medal of Arts, four Grammys, the Fulbright Lifetime Achievement Medal and she was made a Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur. Billy Bigelow is played by Tony-nominated Joshua Henry (Violet, The Scottsboro Boys).
Julie Jordan is played by Tony winner Jessie Mueller (Beautiful: the Carole King Musical). Other parts are played by Margaret Colin (The Columnist, Arcadia), Alexander Gemignani (Violet, The People in the Picture), Lindsay Mendez (Significant Other, Godspell), Brittany Pollack (Broadway debut), Amar Ramasar (Broadway debut), and an expansive ensemble. The show is directed by Jack O’Brien, whose many credits include John Lithgow: Stories by Heart, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Front Page, It’s Only a Play, Macbeth, The Nance and many more.
