Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.

#1

Innovative 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

#2

Innovative 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!

#3

Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.

Posted: 3/29/13 at 7:04pm

I 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.

#4

Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.

Posted: 3/29/13 at 7:19pm

It'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.

#5

Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.

Posted: 3/29/13 at 7:57pm

Minimalistic 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?

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#6

Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.

Posted: 3/29/13 at 8:08pm

They lowered the soprano roles? Not cool.

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Jimmy, what are you doing here in the middle of the night? It's almost 9 PM!

#7

Innovative 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?

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http://docandraider.com

#8

Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.

Posted: 3/29/13 at 9:34pm

I'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...

#9

Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.

Posted: 3/29/13 at 9:38pm

If 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.

#10

Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.

Posted: 3/29/13 at 11:23pm

I love theater in the round.

#11

Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.

Posted: 3/30/13 at 12:19am

I wish I could see it--sounds wonderful http://www.kansascity.com/2013/03/15/4122303/the-living-rooms-carousel-redux.html

#12

Innovative 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.

#13

Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.

Posted: 3/30/13 at 12:53am

Eeeeeeek. Those lowered keys just flatten the songs out. Gross.

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"These rabid fans...possess the acting talent to portray the hooker...Linda Eder..." -The New York Times

#14

Innovative 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

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Tom McGovern Jr

#15

Innovative 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?

#16

Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.

Posted: 3/30/13 at 1:42pm

This 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.

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Jimmy, what are you doing here in the middle of the night? It's almost 9 PM!

#17

Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.

Posted: 3/30/13 at 1:49pm

i think in the reprise with the girls joining Carrie and then Enoch joins in

#18

Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.

Posted: 3/30/13 at 2:21pm

Ahh, I see. Thanks!

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Jimmy, what are you doing here in the middle of the night? It's almost 9 PM!

#19

Innovative 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.

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#20

Innovative Production of CAROUSEL.

Posted: 3/30/13 at 10:04pm

I 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.