Carousel or Once on This Island?

[Hayley929]

I’m going to NY to see The Boys in the Band this upcoming May and wanted to see a musical as well. I’m stuck between Carousel or Once on This Island and wanted opinions on which I should go see. I know Carousel isn’t opened yet but I’ve been hearing it’s supposed to be good; especially Joshua Henry’s performance. I’ve also heard good reviews on Alex Newell’s performance in OOTI. Would love to hear what y’all think!

[blaxx]

Supposed to be good? I'd say all shows are supposed to be good until someone sits through it.

You have a Magic 8 ball?

[Call_me_jorge]

Id see carousel, but if you don’t have a lot of time Once on this island is the better option. If it tours, you would be getting a vastly different set and it wouldn’t be as intimate as it’s broadway staging.

[Wick3]

First preview for Carousel is on Feb 28th and to my knowledge this revival production wasn't done in any regional theater so I guess we'll see if it's any good or lives up to the hype then. I'd say wait until previews start before deciding to get tix for Carousel or OOTI.

[Rakstovall]

Obviously can only comment on Once on This Island -- we loved it! The theater in the round is such a unique, intimate experience. Not a bad seat in the house and you're so close to everything. We were in the front row next to the aisle and our feet were literally in the sand and sometimes the actors' costumes would brush our legs when they walked by. Very immersive and fun! Alex Newell is fantastic as was Norm Lewis and the entire rest of the cast (we were at matinee so we missed Hailey Kilgore but the understudy Loren Lott was awesome! Beautiful voice.). I'm sure Carousel will be lovely but it's a more classic show experience, so you'll know what to expect, while OOTI felt very unique and special.

[ethan231h]

i cant comment on carousel yet obviously, but Once On this Island is incredible and like no other show I have seen

[GeorgeandDot]

Buy a ticket to Carousel and do the lottery/standing room for Once on this Island.

[KathyNYC2]

Once on an Islandfor sure. It's an original Broadway cast production. Carousel no matter how good is a revival. You can see a revival anytime. An original is an original.

[Call_me_jorge]

OOTI is a revival too

[blaxx]

KathyNYC2 said: "Once on an Islandfor sure. It's an original Broadway cast production. Carousel no matter how good is a revival. You can see a revival anytime. An original is an original. "

Lol

[IdinaBellFoster]

KathyNYC2 said: "Once on an Islandfor sure. It's an original Broadway cast production. Carousel no matter how good is a revival. You can see a revival anytime. An original is an original."

Are you high?

[KathyNYC2]

IdinaBellFoster said: "KathyNYC2 said: "Once on an Islandfor sure. It's an original Broadway cast production. Carousel no matter how good is a revival. You can see a revival anytime. An original is an original."

Are you high?"

No I actually didn't realize that. My apologies. 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Can you wait another 20 days until Carousel's first preview to make the call? It starts previews very soon. If all fails, OOTI is truly fabulous. But I'd hold out just a little longer.

[Emmagemma24]

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND! I saw it and it is amazing!!! So cool wha they can do with it

[dramamama611]

tough call.

While I can't speak to the actual production of either, Carousel is the superior show.   It's also not done a tremendous amount, while OOTI has local productions all the time.  (Sure, not of the same caliber..but still.)

However, you also have to consider your tastes.  Do you like serious themes?  Do you prefer your musicals to be toe tapping and uplifting?   They are so different, the choice has little to do with one being BETTER than the other.

[AlliAndTheCats]

My husband and I are also attending in May. We're concerned about whether Once on this Island will still be open when we get there, but we're hoping to see both shows. We're seeing a number of shows on our trip (new and old), but Carousel is the one I'm most excited about. I ADORE Joshua Henry since I first saw him in The Scottsboro Boys, and he mesmerized me before I even realized he was a lead in the show. So for me your choice would be a no brainer, but no guarantee it will live up to expectations.

[CoffeeBreak]

Carousel

[qolbinau]

dramamama611 said: "tough call.

While I can't speak to the actualproduction of either, Carousel is the superior show. It's also not done a tremendous amount, while OOTI has local productions all the time. (Sure, not of the same caliber..but still.)

However, you also have to consider your tastes. Do you like serious themes? Do you prefer your musicals to be toe tapping and uplifting? They are so different, the choice has little to do with one being BETTER than the other."

OOTI is not a great show in my opinion but you will never, ever see it staged like this again - a local production would be like seeing a completely different show. I don’t think I have ever seen a rather average show elevated so much by the cast and staging before. It’s such a unique experience I’d personally guess it will surprise more than Carousel. 

[rwlevin]

Let's see. Both shows made me cry. I mean, any version of Carousel I watch makes me cry, be it the movie or the revival I saw in high school with Audra McDonald. Once on this Island was staged at my high school and that made me cry too. I guess it depends what you're more interested in. If you like old fashioned, Rogers and Hammerstein musicals, see Carousel but if you like calypso and The Little Mermaid, see OOTI. I say...see both, but bring lots of kleenex.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

I'd go with Once on This Island for right now, I've heard so many amazing things about that production. As for Carousel, we don't even know how this upcoming production will turn out yet, so I'd wait to hear what the response will be like.