Miles2Go2 said: "Hello all. I was just in NYC in November and I had thought I’d wait a full year to return for my usual trip where I cram in as many Broadway and off-Broadway shows as possible in between museums, great meals and power shopping. However, with the shows (Angels in America, Three Tall Women, Carousel, My Fair Lady) that opened recently or will open soon (plus Once on This Island, which sadly didn’t make the cut in November), I’m thinking I should try to find a financial way to return sooner especially since some of these shows will likely not be open in November this year. I have never seen any filmed or staged production of Carousel before. This was pretty high up on my list, but all the chatter on here has me rethinking that. I almost never can see everything on my list. All of this is pretext for my question. If this production doesn’t make significant improvements to the show during previews, do you think it’s still advisable for this to be someone’s first introduction to the show or should I just watch the movie instead? Thanks in advance for all helpful replies."
I hope you've seen it by now. Do not miss this production, especially if you've never seen one before. I saw the 1995 Lincoln Center production, which was terrific, but this production is even better in several ways. The first being the singing and the orchestra. You will simply not ever hear a production with better singing and a greater sounding orchestra on Broadway. I urge you not to listen to these strangely negative comments on this thread. For you to miss this production especially if you've not seen it before would be a travesty. The choreography and the dance numbers and the singing and dancing by the cast are unprecedented in my long life experience. There are several numbers that will bring the house down. The audience absolutely loved every minute. They got a full standing ovation right away. But that's nothing extraordinary these days because every show on Broadway gets standing ovation no matter how good it is. But the singing is superb throughout. And the ensemble can all sing and dance. The ensemble sounds like the Metropolitan Opera chorus. That's how good they are. Yet they can dance ballet at the same time. Renee Fleming singing You'll Never Walk Alone was divine. It is a treat that you will rarely get on Broadway. Jessie Mueller sings beautifully throughout. And although the Carrie was a bit nasal, she had an amazing voice. Joshua Henry's voice is a massive instrument, he's a bit too much of a lower baritone to really nail the upper notes perfectly, but they were just fine, and still very impressive in the upper register. The direction is exquisite. The set design is amazing beyond words. I urge you and anyone reading this not to believe these comments criticizing the show, when most of the people who are making those comments haven't even seen the show. The carousel set up during the Overture is pure brilliance. I won't give it away. But I can tell you it is one of the most creative things I've ever seen done on the Broadway stage. And the production dance quality puts this even above that of the recent An American in Paris.
I thought it was one of the greatest things I've ever seen on Broadway. You will almost NEVER get a production of a glorious musical like Carousel done with fine singers and musicians. For the record, I saw the show about a month ago.
.jpg?format=auto&width=365)
