BREAKING NEWS: One of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s greatest musical classics of all time CAROSUEL is coming back to Broadway next year with an all new production directed by Tony winner Jack O’Brein and choreography by Justin Peck.
In addition, casting has already been made. Headlining this all new Broadway revival of CAROSUEL will be…
Tony winner Jessie Mueller (fresh of Waitress the Musical, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical) who is no stranger to singing this iconic score (after previously playing “Carrie Pipperidge” in the 2013 New York Philharmonic concert production) will now play take on the iconic leading lady role of “Julie Jordan”.
Tony nominee Joshua Henry (The Scottsboro Boys on Broadway, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess on Broadway, Violet, and currently on the National Tour of Hamilton: An American Musical) will make history as the first African American actor to play the male leading role of “Billy Bigelow” ever in a Broadway production of this musical.
Last but not least, the legendary Ren?e Fleming (the legendary star of The Metropolitan Opera) will take on the role of “Nettie Fowler”.
CAROSUEL is set at a Maine fishing village at the end of the 19th Century where a Carousel barker, who falls in love with the local na?ve millworker and attempts at robbery to save enough money to care for their unborn child. However after his plans go wrong, the barker tries to make things right again. The musical features some of the most beloved melodies written for the Theater including IF I LOVED YOU, MISTER SNOW, and the beautiful YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE.
CAROSUEL premiered on Broadway in 1945 at the Majestic Theatre. It starred John Riatt as “Billy”, Jan Clayton as “Julie”, Jean Darling as “Carrie”, and Christine Johnson as “Nettie”. The original production ran for a total of 840 performances. The show did not got Tony nominations because the Tony Awards were not created till that very next year.
The most recent Broadway revival of the show played Lincoln Center Theater’s Vivian Beaumont Theatre in 1994. This production was a transfer for the acclaimed 1992 production that played the National Theatre in London. It starred Michael Hayden as “Billy”, Sally Murphy as “Julie”, Audra McDonald (in her Broadway Debut) as “Carrie”, and Shirley Verrett as “Nettie”. The Lincoln Center revival ran for a total of 322 performances. It won all 5 of it’s Tony Awardsthat year including Best Revival of a Musical. In addition, Audra McDonald won her first ever Tony that year for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.
Who is excited to see CAROSUEL back on Broadway?!!
Breaking: Jessie Mueller, Joshua Henry, Ren?e Fleming to Star in CAROUSEL on Broadway
The New York Times reports that producers Scott Rudin and Roy Furman will revive CAROUSEL on Broadway next spring with Jesse Mueller as Julie Jordan, Joshua Henry as Billy Bigelow, and Renee Fleming as Nettie Fowler.
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