CAROUSEL (2018) Previews

[BroadwayConcierge]

Previews for the third Broadway revival of Rodger and Hammerstein's Carousel begin in just a few days (Wednesday, February 28, 2018) at the Imperial Theatre. Directed by Jack O'Brien and starring Jessie Mueller, Joshua Henry, Lindsay Mendez, and Renée Fleming, Carousel is set to open on Thursday, April 12 for an open run.

Who's going?! 

[theatregoer3]

I’ll be there!

[BroadwayConcierge]

Worth noting that there are still a lot of tickets available for first preview on Wednesday. It's rare that a Broadway show opens these days when we have absolutely no idea what to expect at all!

[Call_me_jorge]

Did anyone here go to this event? I only just found out about it. It looks like they did some portions of the dance and sang a few of the numbers. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10155089252676671.1073741874.117852351670&type=3

[@z5]

Got great seats for March 17 -- super pumped for this one!!

[musikman]

I went to buy tickets a week or so ago and heard the very friendly box office employee talk to a patron in front of me. He was saying some very exciting things about the set (specifically the opening/carousel).

[GeorgeandDot]

^Please share! I'm dying to hear SOMETHING about this production.

[Bwayfan292]

It would not be smart for Rudin to do another ban on social media and clips and photos, I think the show is gonna need it, if he wants a tony if that makes sense. With OOTI and MFL the revival tony in gonna be pretty close.

[StylishCynic]

I am curious to see the minor changes that are made to accommodate the race of lead Joshua Henry, who is black. 

The NYT ran a piece about how revivals deal with gender stereotypes of their era, and Rudin was interviewed as saying that there will be no alterations to the text in reference to gender treatment but there is "a possibly minor tweak to reflect the fact that Mr. Henry is African-American."

I think it will be the following lines in Soliloquy: "My little girl –pink and white as peaches and cream is she" and "she has a few pink and white young fellers of two and three."

[WaffleOnWheels]

I must say this is the most excited I've been for a show, ever. It's always been my absolute favorite score (despite some people trying to convince me otherwise), and if done right can send out a serious message.

Plus this cast, full of some of the best up and rising performers (Joshua Henry, Jessie Mueller, Lindsay Mendez), and my god I hope they extend "You'll Never Walk Alone" for Renee Fleming. It's very brief in the show when Nettie sings it alone, and the videos of Renee singing this song literally take my breath away.  

I can't wait to see this thing.

[Mildred Plotka]

Why do these preview threads need to be posted so early? They just become seating and discount question threads. But I guess the self appointed head of the boards needs to make sure nobody beats them to it.

[musikman]

MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD (?!?!)
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Apparently the carousel will be coming down and coming together from above the stage where the flies/rigs are. The box office guy said "just wait till you see the carousel! It comes down from out of the ceiling!"

It was something along those lines.
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As far as I could tell, he was making it out to be a sumptuous looking production in the vein of Dolly. I guess we'll find out on Wednesday night!

[QueenAlice]

That’s essentially what happened in the genius RNT production 20 years ago. This production has big shoes to fill. I look forward to seeing.

[Olivia11]

March 6th!

[Musical Master]

musikman said: "MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD (?!?!)
 

As far as I could tell, he was making it out to be a sumptuous looking production in the vein of Dolly. I guess we'll find out on Wednesday night!"

With Santo Loquasto designing the sets I can imagine how lovely the revival is going to look. After all he was the same man who did the wonderful set design for Hello, Dolly!.

 

[EllieRose2]

"I am curious to see the minor changes that are made to accommodate the race of lead Joshua Henry, who is black."

My GOD.  I never would have guessed he was black by looking at him!  Thank you SO much for letting the board know!!!!

[greenifyme2]

Mildred Plotka said: "Why do these preview threads need to be posted so early? They just become seating and discount question threads. But I guess the self appointed head of the boards needs to make sure nobody beats them to it. "

Thank you!

[EllieRose2]

Thank you times two!

[GeorgeandDot]

I bet they have the officer shoot Billy instead of having Billy stab himself as a comment on police brutality. Interested to see what the change really is, but I bet this is it.

[EllieRose2]

That is not a "minor tweak", that is totally changing the tone of the show.  They would never do that.  It's upsetting enough it happens daily in the real world.  Gross.  

[GeorgeandDot]

Well it's reality, love, and it needs to be talked about. They have an opportunity to open up that conversation and they might just do it. I'm interested to see.

[EllieRose2]

Me too.  I am not seeing this until May, so I will be relying on the people of this board for reports.  

[StylishCynic]

QueenAlice said: "That’s essentially what happened in the genius RNT production 20 years ago. This production has big shoes to fill. I look forward to seeing."

This prologue is on YouTube, and it is OUTSTANDING. The carousel moves me to tears when it starts turning along with the grand score.

[JudyDenmark]

musikman said: "I went to buy tickets a week or so ago and heard the very friendly box office employee talk to a patron in front of me. He was saying some very exciting things about the set (specifically the opening/carousel)."

I bought my ticket last week (April 25th can't come soon enough), but I wanted to reiterate how lovely the box office employee was. Seriously one of the friendliest ticket sellers I've ever talked to! 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

StylishCynic said: "QueenAlice said: "That’s essentially what happened in the genius RNT production 20 years ago. This production has big shoes to fill. I look forward to seeing."

This prologue is on YouTube, and it is OUTSTANDING. The carousel moves me to tears when it starts turning along with the grand score."

Here it is...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUVqEwsXnZ0

I agree that this revival taking place almost 25 years after that historic production from Nicholas Hytner is probably going to be a tough act to follow. It should be interesting to hear what fans of the last revival think of this new production.