Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.
Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.
#1Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.
Posted: 3/29/13 at 5:44pm
Last night I went to the Kansas City Rep to see their production of CAROUSEL.
It was done in the round with actors using pull chain lights to light the show. The actors entered through staircases situated in the seats, and there were minimal sets/costumes. It was thrilling.
I think this would be amazing to see at Circle in the Square, it is worthy of a Broadway production. The teaser doesn't do it justice, but it was great.
CAROUSEL Preview
Kbradstein
Stand-by Joined: 7/6/12
#2Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.
Posted: 3/29/13 at 5:56pm
it looks just like the recent Godspell revival. Though i am not sure if it would work for Carousel, and i dont think many audiences would be thrilled with a production this way.
But i would love to see it!
AEA AGMA SM
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/13/09
#2Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.
Posted: 3/29/13 at 7:04pmI heard a lot of good things about this production while it was in tech and previews from the creative staff. Glad to hear that you enjoyed it, gabrieljwickedone.
Wynbish
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/27/12
#3Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.
Posted: 3/29/13 at 7:19pmIt's sad that keys were lowered, though. I understand that musical theatre is holding on the idea of "if it's modern, it needs mezzos!", but Julie's songs in the original key would soar.
#4Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.
Posted: 3/29/13 at 7:57pmMinimalistic stagings cane be very effective for CAROUSEL, but what can make or break any production of this musical is the quality of the singing and the acting. How would you rate these elements?
Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com
SporkGoddess
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
#5Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.
Posted: 3/29/13 at 8:08pmThey lowered the soprano roles? Not cool.
#6Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.
Posted: 3/29/13 at 9:27pm
I enjoy a good radical production — God knows, I've designed my share — but this just seems... cheap. A bunch of sofas? Granted, I'm going on the trailer, but if the trailer aint getting the concept over, either it's not doing its job or the concept is just a bit too elusive.
I mean, really, was it just a bunch of sofas and hanging lights? How did they line that up with the story?
#7Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.
Posted: 3/29/13 at 9:34pmI'm a little surprised R&H Theatricals signed off on this (perhaps they didn't) as this isn't really the sort of thing they go for in regional stagings of their catalogue...
AEA AGMA SM
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/13/09
#8Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.
Posted: 3/29/13 at 9:38pmIf no text or music is changed (and I don't really count changing the keys, since I know MTI, and I assume R&H, have a service to help facilitate this) do they need to sign off on the directorial concept? That seems a bit stifling to me.
chinto1984
Leading Actor Joined: 8/6/07
missjulie2
Swing Joined: 11/16/12
#10Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.
Posted: 3/30/13 at 12:19amI wish I could see it--sounds wonderful http://www.kansascity.com/2013/03/15/4122303/the-living-rooms-carousel-redux.html
#11Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.
Posted: 3/30/13 at 12:47am
The sofas were for audience members, the seating was very up close and personal.
The actors were very good! The lowered keys weren't noticeable really. The actress playing Julie was a bit edgier than the traditional ingenue. It was spectacular.
#12Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.
Posted: 3/30/13 at 12:53amEeeeeeek. Those lowered keys just flatten the songs out. Gross.
#13Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.
Posted: 3/30/13 at 9:37am
Saw the most wonderful actress in the world play Julie Jordon on June 18, 1994. Sally Murphy–one of the best. The show was at the Mitzi Newhouse Theatre at Lincoln Center. Never will forget the date and her! Please visit my design for this show at the site below as well as others I've created.
Carousel/Sally Murphy
AEA AGMA SM
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/13/09
#14Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.
Posted: 3/30/13 at 10:05am
"Saw the most wonderful actress in the world play Julie Jordon on June 18, 1994. Sally Murphy–one of the best. The show was at the Mitzi Newhouse Theatre at Lincoln Center."
Was this a scaled down production from the revival that was playing upstairs in the Vivian Beaumont? 
SporkGoddess
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
#15Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.
Posted: 3/30/13 at 1:42pmThis may be a dumb question, but is there usually a chorus singing during "Mister Snow"? I've never seen Carousel staged and I never have heard one in any of the cast recordings.
chinto1984
Leading Actor Joined: 8/6/07
#16Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.
Posted: 3/30/13 at 1:49pmi think in the reprise with the girls joining Carrie and then Enoch joins in
SporkGoddess
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
#17Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.
Posted: 3/30/13 at 2:21pmAhh, I see. Thanks!
#18Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.
Posted: 3/30/13 at 3:12pm
The bare bulbs look cool but fairly generic: the kind of directorial device that calls attention to the supposed genius of the director but fails to shed light on the underlying material.
The staging of "When I Marry Mister Snow" looked surprisingly conventional, given the light bulbs, and badly done.
greensgreens
Broadway Star Joined: 10/14/09
#19Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.
Posted: 3/30/13 at 10:04pmI haven't seen this one, but their production of Into The Woods a few years ago was outstanding. Heaps better than the Delacorte staging, albeit without a few of those star-wattage performances.
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