Steven Pasquale to lead in "Carousel" at the Lyric Opera

[lauraehefner]

Posted: 10/30/14 at 2:27am

This is so exciting!!!! I never thought I would be able to see him live without leaving the Chicago area. http://www.broadway.com/buzz/178149/steven-pasquale-will-lead-carousel-at-chicagos-lyric-opera-rob-ashford-will-direct/

[mamaleh]

Posted: 10/30/14 at 9:03am

Wish this were closer to NY metro area. Would love to see him as Billy.

Have never been to Chicago, so in theory this would be a good excuse. Still, Pasquale also has a film/TV career. I'm a little hesitant to opt when he could back out because of another commitment, as happened the other night at the City Center Rodgers & Hammerstein & Hart program.

Updated On: 10/30/14 at 09:03 AM

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/30/14 at 9:57am

What a wonderful surprise. I had assumed they'd cast Nathan Gunn, since he seems to have a monopoly at the Lyric, but Pasquale is a really good choice. Hopefully I can end up in Chicago while this is running.

Denyce Graves, too. There's a name I haven't heard in a while.

[StageStruckLad]

Posted: 10/30/14 at 10:02am

Too bad it's Rob Ashford directing, though. Not sure I want to see his conceptual take on Carousel.

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 10/30/14 at 10:05am

Thrilled by this news and already grabbed my tickets – I wasn’t planning on going to this until Steven’s casting was announced (the prices are steep and I have never been a huge fan of “Carousel” - although I haven’t seen it since I was in high school, so I may feel differently now). I had a wonderful time at “The Sound of Music” last year (Jenn Gambatese’s performance was excellent and made the show for me, but it was also a wonderful, lavish night at the theatre) and excited to relive some of that magic that the gigantic space at the Lyric is able to create onstage.

[camila]

Posted: 10/30/14 at 4:24pm

Truly brilliant news. I was completely blown away by his haunting performance in Bridges (and can only hope he will continue to pursue more work in musical theatre). Inspired casting, wish I could make it out there to catch him in this.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 10/30/14 at 4:32pm

This is so incredible, I think he said in an interview that Billy was one of his dream roles. It's a cheap, direct flight so I'm there!

[rjm516]

Posted: 10/30/14 at 7:28pm

This casting is superb. Let's hope this is all just the start of his musical theatre career.

[Comden Green]

Posted: 10/30/14 at 7:50pm

omg perfect show for him. I haven't been back to Chicago since I moved away in 2001. this might be the time to go. what a voice! (and as an actor, he was robbed of a tony). and of course in Man of No Importance he was unbelievable. streets of Dublin was one of those never-to-be-forgotten moments in my theatre experience. vivid, vivid memories.

[bwaylyric]

Posted: 10/30/14 at 8:22pm

"Let's hope this is all just the start of his musical theatre career."

You must have missed him in previous musicals, particularly last season's Bridges of Madison County.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 10/30/14 at 8:24pm

I am totally against rewriting classic shows (especially R&H)but I think a shirtless scene for Billy Bigelow is in order here, and all future productions of CAROUSEL.

[rjm516]

Posted: 10/30/14 at 8:27pm

Hence the 'all'. Pretty sure two shows in just about one calendar year still = start. Why are people on this forum such holes sometimes?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/30/14 at 8:30pm

That's not a rewrite. That's artistic license. Where in the script does it say he can't be shirtless?

[Broadwaywest]

Posted: 10/30/14 at 8:40pm

I just recently moved to Chicago and I'm definitely looking forward to this production. However, the artwork is questionable. Hopefully it's just placement, until something awesome comes along.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/30/14 at 8:43pm

I don't offhand remember a tightrope walking scene in Carousel.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 10/30/14 at 8:47pm

If they add a tightrope walker, Billy can expose his chest. Hugh Jackman did it as Curley in OKLAHOMA! Artistic License, I like it.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 10/30/14 at 8:49pm

The artwork blows.

"Pretty sure two shows in just about one calendar year still = start."

Steven has been involved in musical theater since 1998 when he toured all over the country with Miss Saigon.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/30/14 at 8:50pm

Don't forget South Pacific. Where in the script does it say two guys walk out from the showers buck naked and frighten some girls? Nowhere. But, Bart Sher made it happen and I salute him.

[haterobics]

Posted: 10/30/14 at 8:50pm

"Pretty sure two shows in just about one calendar year still = start."

He and Kelli were also in Far From Heaven, an Off-Broadway musical before Bridges. Plus, he originated the role in Light In The Piazza, but he couldn't join it on Broadway because of Rescue Me.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 12:22am

Just to be fair, Maybe Mrs. Anna could do SHALL I TELL YOU WHAT I THINK OF YOU topless.

Finding a place for shirtlessness might be a little difficult for THE SOUND OF MUSIC, topless Nuns?

[HorseTears]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 12:44am

"Don't forget South Pacific. Where in the script does it say two guys walk out from the showers buck naked and frighten some girls? Nowhere. But, Bart Sher made it happen and I salute him."

I don't recall this. They cut it from the telecast, didn't they? F*CKing PBS.

[StageStruckLad]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 8:22am

HorseTears, it was in the PBS broadcast of SOUTH PACIFIC.

As for THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Rolf can just slip off his lederhosen to add a shirtless scene!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 9:42am

Why are people on this forum such holes sometimes?

They're not, actually. They're only called that by people who post erroneous information as fact and then double-down on it.

Your only proper response really would have been "Thanks! I didn't know that. Are there any recordings of him?"

So who's the real hole?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 1:28pm

I don't recall this. They cut it from the telecast, didn't they? F*CKing PBS.

They actually didn't cut it for the PBS broadcast and the camera did not avoid it which made it all the more bizarre to me when they did go out of their way to censor the nudity in The Nance. It's during the scene change before "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair."

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 1:48pm

Denyce Graves?!?! I haven't seen her since her acclaimed Carmen at Houston Grand Opera in the 90s. Love her.