Happy Birthday CAROUSEL !!!!!

Today in 1949 Carousel opened on Broadway...and today I want to know about the first time you saw Carousel and what you either loved or disliked about it.

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Saw the movie when I was a kid and hated it - I thought it was the most absolute boring show. Then, I picked up the revival recording and fell in love. Now, it's one of my favorite shows - and, I believe, one of the best and most beautiful shows ever written.

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CAROUSEL is one of those shows that has gotten a bad rep over the years because of a mediocre film version. It's a tough show, about very dysfunctional, abused and abusive people ... and yet its message is one of redemption and purpose. It has one of the most glorious scores ever written (as brilliant as the Lincoln Center revival was, the two leads couldn't do full justice to the music), and was Rodgers's favorite among all he had written.

Today is the anniversary of the first REVIVAL of CAROUSEL in 1949, which was a quick two week return engagement (presumably after the national tour).

The show originally opened on April 19, 1945 and ran for two years.

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well damn it all!!! now my sentiment is wasted on a fake opening!! Margo, you are the bane of my existance!!!

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The first time I saw Carousel was watching the movie as a young'n. I found it dreadfully boring.

My next experience with Carousel was performing in it. The timing was right, the company was good, I had worked with the folks before. I was cast and performed that dang show many times.

I rather enjoyed being in it, but to be perfectly honest, I still find it a bore to watch (see my thoughts on this topic in the "unpopular opinions thread!").

But still, Happy Birthday Carousel!

Updated On: 2/22/06 at 02:07 PM

My dad was a real "first nighter" during the golden age of Broadway. His first Broadway "opening" (at the age of 8 or 9) was Banjo Eyes with Eddie Cantor.

Because of my grandfather's (high profile) job at the time, he saw opening nights of everything on Broadway... and I mean EVERYTHING.

Oklahoma, Street Car, Glass Menagerie, West Side Story, Gypsy, you name it. He was there (from the early '40s to the mid '60s when our family moved from NYC). The true Golden Age.

...And when I asked him a few years ago what was his favorite show of all-time... or what made the most impact or impression on him EVER... he said, "Carousel."

I remember responding, "REALLY???" Then years later another friend of mine who was a successful Hollywood actress in the '40s and had the opportunity to attend any and every Broadway show she wanted to (and was a Broadway vet herself) ALSO told me that "Carousel" was the best show she ever saw on the Great White Way.

All I know is that it must have been something absolutely incredible to come out on top of their lists like this.

The movie has always bothered me. It was misguided from the very beginning with the added Star Keeper scene, killing the focus and the intent of the whole story in the first 5 minutes.

I did get to see the recent revival, and I was VERY impressed with it. There were moments during the show where I began to see glimpses of the magic that must have captivated audiences initially when it opened. The magic was in the emotion of the piece and the resounding "truth" that surfaced occasionally in several of its principle characters. This is the magic that you can't buy with enormous sets or special effects, or even clever staging. It's the magic of the heart. And it's the strongest of all.

All I can say is, "Happy Birthday, Carousel." I wish I'd-a been there to witness this birth.

EDIT: Okay, Happy Birthday REVIVAL of Carousel. Still wish I'd seen the original, though.

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Updated On: 2/22/06 at 02:43 PM

"Carousel" is my favorite Rodgers and Hammestein show. It's so moving, beautiful and well done. It's #3 in my top 5 favorite shows.

ChildrenandArt, the name of the song is "You'll Never Walk Alone."
I was lucky enough to perform Julie Jordan at summer stock two years ago. Going into the summer, I knew pretty much nothing about the show and remember talking to the director before auditions and asking, "So, what's Julie's deal? Why does she love this guy?" etc... After I was cast and began rehearsals, I absolutely fell in love with the show and the characters. They are flawed as all heck but there are reasons and every actor who takes on a role like that has to find those reasons for themselves. Carousel is my favorite show I have ever done and I hope to be able to play Julie again someday. The bench scene, the "If I Loved You" reprise, and the very end when Julie joins the rest of the cast in singing the "You'll Never Walk Alone" reprise after Billy tells her he loves her are some of the greatest and most moving moments in Musical Theater, in my opinion. I just wish more theaters would do this show!

I just love this show. I performed it back in my senior year in high school with a non-traditional cast right before the Lincoln Center revival, which also had a non-traditional cast, opened. Michael Hayden, Sally Murphy, Eddie Korbich and Shirley Verrett were indescribably amazing. Marcus Lovett and James Barbour, both of whom succeeded Hayden, were phenomenally sung Billy Bigelows. And, of course, this was the show in which I first saw Audra Ann McDonald perform. Audra has since dropped the "Ann" but she remains the consummate singer and actress. I even got to meet the principals when they signed the recording at a meet and greet at Tower Records.

CAROUSEL is rather dark for an R&H musical, but that's what makes it special. I love that Nick Hytner and co. added the line "No, no..." for Billy Bigelow when, as a ghost, he sees Julie telling Louise that it was possible for someone to hit you hard and it not hurt at all because you loved that someone.

Not too crazy about the movie, but Gordon MacRae's voice is fantastic.

Updated On: 2/22/06 at 05:15 PM

ha awesome! im seeing that show this friday! the methodist church in our town is doing this show opening tomorrow! havent seen it yet but lookin 4ward to!

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I didn't get to see the stage show, but I cannot watch the movie without crying like a baby at "When you Walk". It IS dark, but the theme and score are just so beautiful. I really love this R & H show. (when I was in school---we played the music each year----it was that well loved---a million years ago, but still....)

Anybody see the concert version at Carnegie Hall - with Hugh Jackman, Audra McDonald, Norbert Leo Butz, Blythe Danner, Philip Bosco, etc.?