Pasquale, Ashford, and Osnes Talk CAROUSEL; Next Stop Broadway?

Could CAROUSEL be the next Rodgers and Hammerstein revival to grace the Broadway stage? The cast of the Lyric Opera of Chicago's production hope so.

CAROUSEL's stars and director recently sat down to discuss the show, and though they mostly shared their experience with the show and what it means to them, they did get around to addressing that burning question on Broadway fans' minds.

"I guess we all have evil, secret plans that it might happen," says Steven Pasquale, who is playing Billy Bigelow in the Lyric Opera of Chicago's CAROUSEL now. "But we're not thinking about that now."

If it were revived, this would be the show's sixth time to be on Broadway. The most recent production was in 1994, so it might just be time for CAROUSEL to return. Check back with BroadwayWorld for updates on this production! If not CAROUSEL, which Rodgers and Hammerstein musical should be revived next?

Check out CAROUSEL rehearsal photos here, production shots here, and video highlights here!

Read the full interview here.

Lyric Opera of Chicago's stunning new production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel begins tonight, April 10, and continues through May 3 at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Dr., Chicago. Tickets start at $29, and are available at lyricopera.org/carousel or at 312-827-5600. The official press opening for Carousel is tomorrow, Saturday, April 11 at 7pm. Check out a first look at the cast in action below!

The production is directed and choreographed by Tony, Emmy, and Olivier Award winner Rob Ashford. It stars Steven Pasquale (The Bridges of Madison County, The Good Wife) as carousel barker Billy Bigelow; Laura Osnes(Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella) as his true love, millworker Julie Jordan; Jenn Gambatese (Lyric's The Sound of Music) as Carrie Pipperidge; Matthew Hydzik (Side Show, West Side Story) as Carrie's beau Enoch Snow; Denyce Graves (Lyric's Carmen) as Nettie Fowler;Jarrod Emick (Damn Yankees) as Jigger Craigin; Charlotte d'Amboise (Pippin) as Mrs. Mullin; and Tony Roberts (The Royal Family; Victor, Victoria; Cabaret) as the Starkeeper.

Conductor David Chase makes his Lyric debut with Carousel, leading members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus. Chase is a regular collaborator with director/choreographer Rob Ashford (The Sound of Music Live! and Peter Pan Live!, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Lyric's The Barber of Seville). Visual artist Paolo Ventura makes his theatrical debut as set designer. Tony Award-winning Catherine Zuber (Lyric's The Barber of Seville) is costume designer. Neil Austin (Lyric's Madama Butterfly) is lighting designer, Mark Grey (Lyric's The Sound of Music, Oklahoma!, Show Boat) is sound designer, and Michael Black is chorus master.

The opening night performance of Carousel will be broadcast on 98.7WFMT and streamed on wfmt.com on Sunday, April 12 at 7:15pm.

Photos by Todd Rosenberg

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