CAROUSEL (2018) Previews — Page 5

I would like to hear more about how this compares to other productions, in terms of innovation and quality.

I’m going to be the voice of dissent here so far, but that was largely really tough to sit through. Thought the design was alternately cartoonishly bright and boring. I’ve rarely seen a R&H musical played with such low, amateur stakes. And not an ounce of chemistry to be found. The choreography- while athletic and fitfully exciting - is repetitive and feels unnecessary. Every time the dance ensemble was paraded out, I was reminded of the recent revival of On the Town, which similarly could have felt over-choreographed and outdated, but was absolutely thrilling.

The Carousel Waltz was a huge letdown for me. From the opening image (set in heaven, but looks like a group of Buddhist monks praying) to the NON-EXISTENT CAROUSEL, it sets the tone of muddy storytelling and underfelt/overplayed emotions for the whole evening. And not in a good way.

The positives: Joshua Henry, Renee Fleming, Jessie Mueller, Lindsay Mendez, and Alexander Gemignani are giving beautiful vocal performances. “Soliloquy” and every note that floats out of Ms. Fleming’s mouth are particular highlights. The orchestra mostly sounds incredibly lush, although I was distracted by what sounded like keyboard-generated harmonica drifting through the score. And the final ballet finds a gorgeous center of focus in Brittany Pollack, who dances like a dream. I wish Justin Peck had given all of his dance sequences the room to breath and exhilarate the way he does here.

Overall, a misguided production of an already problematic piece of theatre. Without the deeply felt earnestness, the sudden emotional shifts and flashforwards of the book fall flat and read as hollow. I didn’t care for it at all.

Updated On: 2/28/18 at 11:14 PM

To those who have seen the new production: Are there any changes from the original production that reflect the concerns with domestic violence, etc.? Wondering if those 'issues' have been addressed at all.



Thanks

More than the songs, you should be concerned that they just obliterated the porch scene. Billy now slaps Louise....on the wrist. And gone is Julie's explanation to Louise that it is possible for someone to hit you and for you not to feel it.



Unforgivable.



This, from the last revival, is essentially how that scene can work and be incredibly powerful. The entire evening for me was a blanched out bore. But I suspect I will be in the minority.



Joanna Riding in CAROUSEL

All he had to do was trust the material. It's not that hard.

wish i were here2 said: "https://instagram.com/p/BfxEWPfngZa/"



Eek! Wtf is that?! That ugly. That not good.

For those who both loved Renée Fleming's Nettie and those who felt she was the weak link, how was her treatment of "You'll Never Walk Alone"? I remember her singing it at the 2009 Inaugural celebration and I'm curious how she handled it in the context of a show rather than a multi-entertainer concert.

As always, hilarity ensues. "It's amazing, doesn't need any changes." "I hope the creators don't think it's finished and that they'll change things." I love Fleming" "I don't like Fleming" "dance numbers are great" "dance numbers are nothing special" and on and on and on, and all at the first preview. Mr. O'Brien seems to be past his expiry date - his Sound of Music was horrible. I'd see this just to see it, but if they're changing lines and scenes to be PC I have zero interest in that bull crap. Do the show as written, period. Or do another show.