Pittsford Musicals presented Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel in November, 2009 at the Pittsford Sutherland High School. John Hennessey was the Artistic Director, Harold McAulliffe served as the Musical Director and Shelly Thompson was the Choreographer.
See the complete list of the production staff and cast, or browse our Carousel Photo Gallery.
About the Show
As prolific as this heralded team may have been for shows such as The Sound Of Music, The King and I, South Pacific and Oklahoma!, it was Carousel that was Richard Rodgers’ personal favorite of all the musical scores he composed.
The show features such Broadway standards as The Carousel Waltz, If I Loved You, June is Bustin’ Out All Over, Soliloquy, and concludes with the uplifting Broadway classic, You’ll Never Walk Alone. A heavenly finale for this heavenly musical.
The original Broadway production premiered in 1945 and played 890 performances.
The Story
In the late 19th century, near a small fishing village on the rocky New England coastline, Billy Bigelow is the handsome and swaggering barker for Mrs. Mullin’s carousel in the local amusement park. He captivates Julie Jordan, a young millworker, when she and her best friend, Carrie Pipperidge, ride the carousel. During the innovative prologue, Billy’s demeanor opens Julie’s eyes to the world around her, and the possibilities it holds. Though not perfectly suited for one another, they fall in love and marry.
The townspeople caution Julie against this union, and Billy is fired by Mrs. Mullin because of his marriage. Out of work, he becomes sullen and difficult, raging bitterly and bullying his wife, until Julie quietly informs Billy that he is to become a father. With this news of impending fatherhood, Billy’s outlook changes. Unfortunately, faced with temptation, Billy’s life takes a tragic turn. Before he enters the hereafter, he is forced to realize the pain that he has caused, and its consequences. And he is given a chance to still make a positive impact on his child’s life.
