Betsy Wolfe, Alexander Gemignani and Margaret Colin Join CAROUSEL on Broadway; Full Cast & Theatre Announced!- Page 3

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 9/6/17 at 6:54pm

I think the artwork is trying to much to be like LCT artwork, but it fails at doing so. But, like cinders said, I like the symbolism.

[jtishere]

Posted: 9/6/17 at 7:16pm

I was so excited to see it already up. It feels very much of an homage to old school Broadway graphics.  I wonder if the set requires any special renovations, which would explain no show going in right now. 

[JIMG3]

Posted: 9/6/17 at 8:06pm

Looks like a toy you'd put in a baby's crib to me. I'll give it six to eight months at the most. You can all do the "told you so" song if I'm wrong, but I don't think I am. 

[JIMG3]

Posted: 9/6/17 at 8:08pm

Updated On: 9/6/17 at 08:08 PM

[JIMG3]

Posted: 9/6/17 at 8:11pm

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "Valentina3 said: "raddersons said: "I'm wondering if this is going to be so popular they won't send out discount code flyers. The cast is stacked. That's the only thing I'm waiting for at this point before I buy a ticket."

While I agree that this is superb casting, apart from Jessie Mueller and Renee Fleming (to an extent), this is not a box-office driving cast. Jessie's surprisingly popular with irregular theater-goers because of excessive (well deserved) Tonys exposure from the get go in her stage-career, and NYers know Renee rather well because of her extensive opera career."

So far, Jessie Mueller has only proven to be successful in musicals associated with popular singer/songwriters (Carole King and Sara Bareilles). Let's not forget that the last time Renee Fleming was on Broadway (which was inLiving on Love), no one saw it.

"But Joshua Henry is still not a box office commodity (as established by Shuffle Along),"

Can you really blame the failure ofShuffle Alongon Joshua Henry? He was in an ensemble consisting the likes of Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Billy Porter.

"That being said, show's brand is in itself a star, and next to My Fair Lady, this is thebiggest show of this season. I do think it will need some better advertisement once the tickets are on sale, I doubt many people know the revival's even happening."

I'm not sure ifthe title ofCarouselalone will be enough to sell the production. Even Nicholas Hytner's acclaimed production ran a little under a year on Broadway. I think given the subject matter, it probably is going to be a tough sell to the general public."

^Yup^

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 9/6/17 at 9:36pm

The artwork looks nice.  I think we were expecting something more colorful, but it has certainly peaked my interest even more.  It definitely looks vintage.

As for the war between this and My Fair Lady, I just feel blessed to have a season where we have two incredible teams staging two of the greatest musicals of all time.  I'm expecting both of them to do very well.

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 9/6/17 at 10:31pm

I know it's likely too early to be thinking about, but I hope they record the whole If I Loved You sequence for the (very likely to be made) cast album. Just imagining the line readings Jessie and Joshua will deliver - golly, I can't wait.

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

Posted: 9/6/17 at 10:48pm

At the risk of sounding like a complete n00b...CAROUSEL is my favorite R&H show, and I'm still not getting this "symbolism" with the Julie icon being in black.

Someone explain please?

[Itonlytakesajourney]

Posted: 9/6/17 at 11:55pm

Ado Annie D'Ysquith said: "At the risk of sounding like a complete n00b...CAROUSEL is my favorite R&H show, and I'm still not getting this "symbolism" with the Julie icon being in black.

Someone explain please?"

Well, my interpretation is that Julie is basically an outcast in her town. She's married to a wife-beater, who got murdered and left her alone. She and her daughter are ridiculed for years, and not even based on their own accords. I think it's really pretty symbolism to showcase that Julie is the outsider, she's the loner. 

[Addipia94]

Posted: 9/7/17 at 9:37am

^ Beautifully said Itonlytakesajourney!

[OlBlueEyes]

Posted: 9/7/17 at 9:17pm

^ Beautifully said Itonlytakesajourney!

 

Love the interpretation, but Carousel is already pretty dark, and I'm not sure that Oscar would make it still darker.

Doesn't seem time for another Carousel already. I apportion out the dark musicals that I see. But I did see the Philharmonic's production with Kelli and Nathan Gunn. Actually I was supposed to see it but I was in a left tier box and they staged the show so far to my left (is that stage right?) that I couldn't even see the bench. And they admitted the error but wouldn't issue a refund.

But several years later I get the DVD and watched that. Two years ago (it seems like only one year) Lyric Opera Chicago did Carousel with Laura Osnes and Steven Pasquale. I didn't see it but I saw clips. 

Carousel was one of those scores that was seared into my brain when I was a kid at home and Mom played the vinyl OBC constantly. I was probably the only ten year old whose two favorite songs were "The Carousel Waltz" and "Hound Dog." My young ears were so enthralled by the plaintive sound of Jan Clayton's "What's the Use of Wondrin'." Neither Laura nor Kelli could match that.

On Youtube there is a video of John Raitt and Jan Clayton recreating the bench scene on a 1954 TV show dedicated to Rodgers and Hammerstein. Full set and costume. Fans might be interested. There is also a clip on which the Raitt/Clayton is followed by the Pasquale/Osnes rehearsal of the bench scene that most of you have probably already seen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfCyUugiWm8

The Lyric Opera production received very good reviews and there was talk of moving it to Broadway. Isherwood gave out his highest praise for Pasquale and his "Soliloquy." After seeing the rehearsal clip I can understand why. Sure wish he was doing Brigadoon.

Charles gave no such high praise to Osnes. But he must have reconsidered since in his review of Bandstand he sent such a love letter to her.

 

 

 

[Itonlytakesajourney]

Posted: 9/7/17 at 9:23pm

I don't think they're going to make Carousel darker, as it's already a heavy piece. Plus I don't really want any rewrites to the show, I think it's fine as is. I kind of wish they'd have done something for Carrie on that poster though. Maybe make her figure on the artwork half black/half white to showcase her and Enoch's relationship. Either way, this production looks fresh and unique already. 

[WaffleOnWheels]

Posted: 9/8/17 at 2:02pm

Is this anticipated to be a hotish ticket? Meaning would it be a good idea to buy in advance? Any ideas appreciated.

[comets]

Posted: 9/8/17 at 2:51pm

WaffleOnWheels said: "Is this anticipated to be a hotish ticket? Meaning would it be a good idea to buy in advance? Any ideas appreciated."

I'm trying to decide this myself. Should I purchase Hello Dolly or Carousel tomorrow. 

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 9/8/17 at 5:33pm

WaffleOnWheels said: "Is this anticipated to be a hotish ticket? Meaning would it be a good idea to buy in advance? Any ideas appreciated."

I think that depends at what point in the run you're planning on seeing it.

[schubox]

Posted: 9/8/17 at 5:59pm

WaffleOnWheels said: "Is this anticipated to be a hotish ticket? Meaning would it be a good idea to buy in advance? Any ideas appreciated."

I'm having this dilemma. I'm planning a may trip and this is on the list, but I'm kind of planning my shows around a marathon Angels in America day, and the schedule for that isn't even out yet, and then tickets aren't selling for a lot of shows till October. So I guess I'll wait till then to grab Carousel as well, hope it doesn't sell too fast 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 9/9/17 at 9:39am

Their "marquee" is now up at the Imperial. I just don't get excited about these theaters that use the electronic signs. Its simply the push of a button and the signs are up.

[Itonlytakesajourney]

Posted: 9/16/17 at 12:02pm

Check out Nicholas Belton's Instagram story. He showed a quick peak of the Imperial during renovations... and wow is it surreal to see it like this.

[LindaSmyth]

Posted: 9/16/17 at 5:48pm

Now that the ensemble has been announced, do we know who's understudying who? My guess is Amy Justman will be understudying Renee Fleming

[Itonlytakesajourney]

Posted: 9/16/17 at 6:00pm

I'm guessing Yesenia Ayala will understudy Julie or Carrie. I'd also love if Sky Mattox or Leigh-Ann Etsy did either as well. I think Erica Spyres will u/s Louise, she has that youthful look to her.

[Emmaloucbway]

Posted: 9/16/17 at 6:34pm

LindaSmyth said: "Now that the ensemble has been announced, do weknow who's understudying who? My guess is Amy Justman will be understudying Renee Fleming"

 

This might have already been mentioned, but Nicholas Belton posted on Instagram that he is understudying Joshua Henry! 

[ElphabaGoodman]

Posted: 9/16/17 at 7:43pm

LindaSmyth said: "Now that the ensemble has been announced, do weknow who's understudying who? My guess is Amy Justman will be understudying Renee Fleming"

Justman is covering Mueller and Fleming. Nicholas Belton will be covering Joshua Henry. 

[HennySlay]

Posted: 9/17/17 at 2:17am

Itonlytakesajourney said: "I'mguessing Yesenia Ayala will understudy Julie or Carrie. I'd also love if Sky Mattox or Leigh-Ann Etsy did either as well. I thinkErica Spyres will u/sLouise, she has that youthfullook to her."

Aren't Etsy, Ayala, and Mattox primarily dancers? Do they have the vocal chops to sing Carrie or Julie? I figured Esty would definitely be a Louise cover.

[Itonlytakesajourney]

Posted: 9/17/17 at 7:47am

HennySlay said: "Itonlytakesajourney said: "I'mguessing Yesenia Ayala will understudy Julie or Carrie. I'd also love if Sky Mattox or Leigh-Ann Etsy did either as well. I thinkErica Spyres will u/sLouise, she has that youthfullook to her."

Aren't Etsy, Ayala, and Mattoxprimarily dancers? Do they have the vocal chops to sing Carrie or Julie? I figured Esty would definitely be a Louise cover."

They're in the ensemble, so they at least have to know how to sing. There's more male ensemble members than female I think, so at least one of them has to cover Julie or Carrie. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 9/17/17 at 8:51am

Leigh-Ann Etsy is currently the Lise alternate on the AAIP tour and I got to see her. So she can sing.