My thoughts on the show (Saturday matinee).
I purchased my ticket back in January, but after reading the posts on this thread I wasn’t too thrilled about what to expect. I don’t know if it was because my expectations were lowered, but I actually liked this production of Carousel.
Let me start off with, hats off to the orchestra!! They were thrilling. Loved the strings as well. Nothing will ever top the opening from the 1994 revival, but I wouldn’t expect someone to copy it either. I was teary-eyed midway through the opening number, and the tears continued through the bench scene.
I thought Jessie and Joshua made a good pairing, and that their chemistry was fine. If there is something lacking, I blame it in the direction. Joshua Henry has a voice that cuts right through me. His Soliloquy left a big lump in my throat. I can’t wait for the cast recording to come out.
I have always been a fan of Amar Ramasar since he joined NYCB. Although his acting was inconsistent, I was shocked to hear that he could sing!
I liked Justin Peck’s choreography though the dance breaks seemed to go on for quite a bit.
I liked Lindsey Mendez as well, but it seems like Jack O’Brien reigned in what little of comedy there is in this production.
I thought Act 1 was quite good, but for me the troubles began when Clambake ended.
Geraniums in the Window should be put back in. I missed the transition from that into What’s the Use of Wondrin’. I kind of liked that What’s the Use of Wondrin’ became a duet between Julie and Nettie, but I missed the female chorus. When Billy leaves with Jigger for the hunt, there was no sense of urgency from Julie to try to get Billy to stay. She’s supposed to detect the knife in Billy’s jacket pocket, but that moment was not there (bad directorial choice).
SPOILERS SOMEWHAT AHEAD
The staging of Billy’s death was awkward to say the least. From where I was sitting in the mezzanine, Josh’s legs were so disfigured that I actually thought he was a dummy. I was trying to figure out when he left the stage after he died!! Turns out it was him all along.
Louise in the ballet was good. Unfortunately there is no musical ending for the audience to applaud (which I sensed they wanted to. I certainly did).
When Billy slapped Louise, I wanted to see him react with a sense of regret to what he did. That wasn’t there.
When Julie picks up the star that Billy left, there should be a moment or pause there, but instead, she exited quite quickly (again, another bad directorial choice). I want to see a reprise of If I Loved You where Billy gets choked up singing to Julie, “How I loved you”. Again for a sake of realization for his past actions.
I kind of liked the staging of the graduation and having Billy involved with the speech. I was disappointed that the ensemble was left humming instead of singing most of the final You’ll Never Walk Alone.
I liked the set and costumes. After reading this thread, I expected to see a bare-bones production of Carousel where the set is concerned.
I am very glad I didn’t give up my ticket to go see Grand Hotel (which I was very tempted to do).
The audience at Saturday’s matinee was very enthusiastic in their applause, and attentive and quiet when they should have been.
Hey Dottie!
Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany
Updated On: 3/26/18 at 09:31 AM
