Whenever this was brought to Hammerstein's attention, he told his informant that 1873 was a special year, in which sheep mated in the spring. Rodgers early decided to dispense with an overture, feeling that the music was hard to hear over the banging of seats as latecomers settled themselves.
An even shorter version of the ballet was presented the final two weeks in Boston, but on the final night there, de Mille expanded it back to forty minutes, and it brought the house down, causing both Rodgers and Hammerstein to embrace her. == Synopsis == === Act 1 === Two young female millworkers in 1873 Maine visit the town's carousel after work.
. == External links == Carousel at guidetomusicaltheatre.com Carousel info page on StageAgent.com – Carousel plot summary and character descriptions (1967 TV adaptation) 1945 musicals Broadway musicals Musicals by Rodgers and Hammerstein West End musicals Musicals based on plays Grammy Hall of Fame Award recipients Maine in fiction Fiction set in 1873 Fiction about the afterlife Plays set in Maine Plays set in the 19th century Tony Award-winning musicals
The 1945 work was adapted from Ferenc Molnár's 1909 play Liliom, transplanting its Budapest setting to the Maine coastline.
In 1999, Time magazine named Carousel the best musical of the 20th century. == Background == === Liliom === Ferenc Molnár's Hungarian-language drama, Liliom, premiered in Budapest in 1909.
Molnár's text also contained considerable commentary on the Hungarian politics of 1909 and the rigidity of that society.
The temptation to count the whole scintillating string is difficult to resist. === Inception === In the 1920s and 1930s, Rodgers and Hammerstein both became well known for creating Broadway hits with other partners.
The Theatre Guild presented it in New York City in 1921, with Joseph Schildkraut as Liliom, and the play was a success, running 300 performances.
New York: Boni and Liveright, 1921. Mordden, Ethan.
The temptation to count the whole scintillating string is difficult to resist. === Inception === In the 1920s and 1930s, Rodgers and Hammerstein both became well known for creating Broadway hits with other partners.
Though less productive in the 1930s, he wrote material for musicals and films, sharing an Oscar for his song with Jerome Kern, "The Last Time I Saw Paris", which was included in the 1941 film Lady Be Good. By the early 1940s, Hart had sunk into alcoholism and emotional turmoil, becoming unreliable and prompting Rodgers to approach Hammerstein to ask if he would consider working with him.
In 1937, Molnár, who had recently emigrated to the United States, had declined another offer from Kurt Weill to adapt the play into a musical. The pair continued to work on the preliminary ideas for a Liliom adaptation while pursuing other projects in late 1943 and early 1944—writing the film musical State Fair and producing I Remember Mama on Broadway.
A 1940 revival with Burgess Meredith and Ingrid Bergman was seen by both Hammerstein and Rodgers.
Though less productive in the 1930s, he wrote material for musicals and films, sharing an Oscar for his song with Jerome Kern, "The Last Time I Saw Paris", which was included in the 1941 film Lady Be Good. By the early 1940s, Hart had sunk into alcoholism and emotional turmoil, becoming unreliable and prompting Rodgers to approach Hammerstein to ask if he would consider working with him.
Though less productive in the 1930s, he wrote material for musicals and films, sharing an Oscar for his song with Jerome Kern, "The Last Time I Saw Paris", which was included in the 1941 film Lady Be Good. By the early 1940s, Hart had sunk into alcoholism and emotional turmoil, becoming unreliable and prompting Rodgers to approach Hammerstein to ask if he would consider working with him.
Hammerstein and Rodgers met weekly in 1943 with Theresa Helburn and Lawrence Langner of the Theatre Guild, producers of the blockbuster musical, who together formed what they termed "the Gloat Club".
In 1937, Molnár, who had recently emigrated to the United States, had declined another offer from Kurt Weill to adapt the play into a musical. The pair continued to work on the preliminary ideas for a Liliom adaptation while pursuing other projects in late 1943 and early 1944—writing the film musical State Fair and producing I Remember Mama on Broadway.
The Guild obtained the rights from Molnár in October 1943.
However, the notes taken at their meeting of December 7, 1943 state: "Mr.
In 1937, Molnár, who had recently emigrated to the United States, had declined another offer from Kurt Weill to adapt the play into a musical. The pair continued to work on the preliminary ideas for a Liliom adaptation while pursuing other projects in late 1943 and early 1944—writing the film musical State Fair and producing I Remember Mama on Broadway.
The 1945 work was adapted from Ferenc Molnár's 1909 play Liliom, transplanting its Budapest setting to the Maine coastline.
After acquiring the rights, the team created a work with lengthy sequences of music and made the ending more hopeful. The musical required considerable modification during out-of-town tryouts, but once it opened on Broadway on April 19, 1945, it was an immediate hit with both critics and audiences.
Hammerstein wrote of this suggestion in 1945, I began to see an attractive ensemble—sailors, whalers, girls who worked in the mills up the river, clambakes on near-by islands, an amusement park on the seaboard, things people could do in crowds, people who were strong and alive and lusty, people who had always been depicted on the stage as thin-lipped puritans—a libel I was anxious to refute ...
Rittmann initially felt that Rodgers mistrusted her because she was a woman, and found him difficult to work with, but the two worked together on Rodgers' shows until the 1970s. Rehearsals began in January 1945; either Rodgers or Hammerstein was always present.
At the end, the performers form a huge carousel with their bodies. The play opened for tryouts in New Haven, Connecticut on March 22, 1945.
In December 1945, Clayton left to star in the Broadway revival of Show Boat and was replaced by Iva Withers; Raitt was replaced by Henry Michel in January 1947; Darling was replaced by Margot Moser. After closing on Broadway, the show went on a national tour for two years.
Charles Isherwood of The New York Times wrote, "this is as gorgeously sung a production of this sublime 1945 Broadway musical as you are ever likely to hear." It was broadcast as part of the PBS Live from Lincoln Center series, premiering on April 26, 2013. == Music and recordings == === Musical treatment === Rodgers designed Carousel to be an almost continuous stream of music, especially in Act 1.
A BBC program, Soul Music, ranked it alongside "Silent Night" and "Abide With Me" in terms of its emotional impact and iconic status. === Recordings === The cast album of the 1945 Broadway production was issued on 78s, and the score was significantly cut—as was the 1950 London cast recording.
Theatre historian John Kenrick notes of the 1945 recording that a number of songs had to be abridged to fit the 78 format, but that there is a small part of "Soliloquy" found on no other recording, as Rodgers cut it from the score immediately after the studio recording was made. A number of songs were cut for the 1956 film, but two of the deleted numbers had been recorded and were ultimately retained on the soundtrack album.
The Stratford Festival issued a recording in 2015. == Critical reception and legacy == The musical received almost unanimous rave reviews after its opening in 1945.
The meaning lay not in the tragedy of the present, but in the hope for a future where no one walks alone. == Awards and nominations == === Original 1945 Broadway production=== Note: The Tony Awards were not established until 1947, and so Carousel was not eligible to win any Tonys at its premiere. === 1957 revival === === 1992 London revival === === 1994 Broadway revival === ===2018 Broadway revival=== == References == === Bibliography === Block, Geoffrey.
Rodgers' daughter Mary caught sight of her friend, Stephen Sondheim, both teenagers then, across several rows; both had eyes wet with tears. The original production ran for 890 performances, closing on May 24, 1947.
In December 1945, Clayton left to star in the Broadway revival of Show Boat and was replaced by Iva Withers; Raitt was replaced by Henry Michel in January 1947; Darling was replaced by Margot Moser. After closing on Broadway, the show went on a national tour for two years.
The meaning lay not in the tragedy of the present, but in the hope for a future where no one walks alone. == Awards and nominations == === Original 1945 Broadway production=== Note: The Tony Awards were not established until 1947, and so Carousel was not eligible to win any Tonys at its premiere. === 1957 revival === === 1992 London revival === === 1994 Broadway revival === ===2018 Broadway revival=== == References == === Bibliography === Block, Geoffrey.
The touring company had a four-week run at New York City Center in January 1949.
Howard Barnes in the New York Herald Tribune also applauded the dancing: "It has waited for Miss de Mille to come through with peculiarly American dance patterns for a musical show to become as much a dance as a song show." When the musical returned to New York in 1949, The New York Times reviewer Brooks Atkinson described Carousel as "a conspicuously superior musical play ...
Carousel initially ran for 890 performances and duplicated its success in the West End in 1950.
However, ticket sales were mediocre, and the show closed almost a month early. The musical premiered in the West End, London, at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on June 7, 1950.
A BBC program, Soul Music, ranked it alongside "Silent Night" and "Abide With Me" in terms of its emotional impact and iconic status. === Recordings === The cast album of the 1945 Broadway production was issued on 78s, and the score was significantly cut—as was the 1950 London cast recording.
Carousel ran in London for 566 performances, remaining there for over a year and a half. === Subsequent productions === Carousel was revived in 1954 and 1957 at City Center, presented by the New York City Center Light Opera Company.
Both times, the production featured Barbara Cook, though she played Carrie in 1954 and Julie in 1957 (playing alongside Howard Keel as Billy).
Carousel, which was warmly appreciated when it opened, seems like nothing less than a masterpiece now." In 1954, when Carousel was revived at City Center, Atkinson discussed the musical in his review: Carousel has no comment to make on anything of topical importance.
Though it has never achieved as much commercial success as Oklahoma!, the piece has been repeatedly revived, recorded several times and was filmed in 1956.
Most of the reviewers agreed that while the choreography and performances (especially the singing) were excellent, characterizing the production as sexy and sumptuous, O'Brien's direction did little to help the show deal with modern sensibilities about men's treatment of women, instead indulging in nostalgia. === Film, television and concert versions === A film version of the musical was made in 1956, starring Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones.
Theatre historian John Kenrick notes of the 1945 recording that a number of songs had to be abridged to fit the 78 format, but that there is a small part of "Soliloquy" found on no other recording, as Rodgers cut it from the score immediately after the studio recording was made. A number of songs were cut for the 1956 film, but two of the deleted numbers had been recorded and were ultimately retained on the soundtrack album.
Studio recordings of Carousels songs were released in 1956 (with Robert Merrill as Billy, Patrice Munsel as Julie, and Florence Henderson as Carrie), 1962 and 1987.
Carousel ran in London for 566 performances, remaining there for over a year and a half. === Subsequent productions === Carousel was revived in 1954 and 1957 at City Center, presented by the New York City Center Light Opera Company.
Both times, the production featured Barbara Cook, though she played Carrie in 1954 and Julie in 1957 (playing alongside Howard Keel as Billy).
The meaning lay not in the tragedy of the present, but in the hope for a future where no one walks alone. == Awards and nominations == === Original 1945 Broadway production=== Note: The Tony Awards were not established until 1947, and so Carousel was not eligible to win any Tonys at its premiere. === 1957 revival === === 1992 London revival === === 1994 Broadway revival === ===2018 Broadway revival=== == References == === Bibliography === Block, Geoffrey.
The production was then taken to Belgium to be performed at the 1958 Brussels World's Fair, with David Atkinson as Billy, Ruth Kobart as Nettie, and Clayton reprising the role of Julie, which she had originated. In August 1965, Rodgers and the Music Theater of Lincoln Center produced Carousel for 47 performances.
Studio recordings of Carousels songs were released in 1956 (with Robert Merrill as Billy, Patrice Munsel as Julie, and Florence Henderson as Carrie), 1962 and 1987.
Kenrick recommends the 1962 studio recording for its outstanding cast, including Alfred Drake, Roberta Peters, Claramae Turner, Lee Venora, and Norman Treigle. Both the London (1993) and New York (1994) cast albums of the Hytner production contain portions of dialogue that, according to Hischak, speak to the power of Michael Hayden's portrayal of Billy.
The cast recording of Carousel proved popular in Liverpool, like many Broadway albums, and in 1963, the Brian Epstein-managed band, Gerry and the Pacemakers had a number-one hit with the song.
The production was then taken to Belgium to be performed at the 1958 Brussels World's Fair, with David Atkinson as Billy, Ruth Kobart as Nettie, and Clayton reprising the role of Julie, which she had originated. In August 1965, Rodgers and the Music Theater of Lincoln Center produced Carousel for 47 performances.
The recording of the 1965 Lincoln Center revival featured Raitt reprising the role of Billy.
Thomas Hischak, in The Rodgers and Hammerstein Encyclopedia, later wondered "if the smaller number of Carousel stage revivals is the product of this often-lumbering [film] musical". There was also an abridged (100 minute) 1967 network television version that starred Robert Goulet, with choreography by Edward Villella. The New York Philharmonic presented a staged concert version of the musical from February 28 to March 2, 2013, at Avery Fisher Hall.
Rittmann initially felt that Rodgers mistrusted her because she was a woman, and found him difficult to work with, but the two worked together on Rodgers' shows until the 1970s. Rehearsals began in January 1945; either Rodgers or Hammerstein was always present.
Da Capo Press, 2002 reprint of 1975 edition.
Jefferson, N.C.: Da Capo Press, 1995 reprint of 1986 edition.
Studio recordings of Carousels songs were released in 1956 (with Robert Merrill as Billy, Patrice Munsel as Julie, and Florence Henderson as Carrie), 1962 and 1987.
The 1987 version featured a mix of opera and musical stars, including Samuel Ramey, Barbara Cook and Sarah Brightman.
Hytner's direction, aside from its unorthodox faith in the virtues of simplicity and stillness, is its ability to make a 1992 audience believe in Hammerstein's vision of redemption, which has it that a dead sinner can return to Earth to do godly good." The Hytner production in New York was hailed by many critics as a grittier Carousel, which they deemed more appropriate for the 1990s.
A production by Nicholas Hytner enjoyed success in 1992 in London, in 1994 in New York and on tour.
The following year, New York City Center Light Opera Company brought Carousel back to City Center for 22 performances, with Bruce Yarnell as Billy and Constance Towers as Julie. Nicholas Hytner directed a new production of Carousel in 1992, at London's Royal National Theatre, with choreography by Sir Kenneth MacMillan and designs by Bob Crowley.
The production's limited run from December 1992 through March 1993 was a sellout.
Michael Coveney, writing in The Independent, admired Rodgers' music but stated, "Lindsay Posner's efficient revival doesn't hold a candle to the National Theatre 1992 version".
Hytner's direction, aside from its unorthodox faith in the virtues of simplicity and stillness, is its ability to make a 1992 audience believe in Hammerstein's vision of redemption, which has it that a dead sinner can return to Earth to do godly good." The Hytner production in New York was hailed by many critics as a grittier Carousel, which they deemed more appropriate for the 1990s.
The meaning lay not in the tragedy of the present, but in the hope for a future where no one walks alone. == Awards and nominations == === Original 1945 Broadway production=== Note: The Tony Awards were not established until 1947, and so Carousel was not eligible to win any Tonys at its premiere. === 1957 revival === === 1992 London revival === === 1994 Broadway revival === ===2018 Broadway revival=== == References == === Bibliography === Block, Geoffrey.
The production's limited run from December 1992 through March 1993 was a sellout.
It re-opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London in September 1993, presented by Cameron Mackintosh, where it continued until May 1994. The Hytner production moved to New York's Vivian Beaumont Theater, where it opened on March 24, 1994, and ran for 322 performances.
A production by Nicholas Hytner enjoyed success in 1992 in London, in 1994 in New York and on tour.
It re-opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London in September 1993, presented by Cameron Mackintosh, where it continued until May 1994. The Hytner production moved to New York's Vivian Beaumont Theater, where it opened on March 24, 1994, and ran for 322 performances.
Kenrick judges the 1994 recording the best all-around performance of Carousel on disc, despite uneven singing by Hayden, due to Sally Murphy's Julie and the strong supporting cast (calling Audra McDonald the best Carrie he has heard).
The meaning lay not in the tragedy of the present, but in the hope for a future where no one walks alone. == Awards and nominations == === Original 1945 Broadway production=== Note: The Tony Awards were not established until 1947, and so Carousel was not eligible to win any Tonys at its premiere. === 1957 revival === === 1992 London revival === === 1994 Broadway revival === ===2018 Broadway revival=== == References == === Bibliography === Block, Geoffrey.
It's a challenge for the audience to like him after that." The Hytner Carousel was presented in Japan in May 1995.
Jefferson, N.C.: Da Capo Press, 1995 reprint of 1986 edition.
national tour with a scaled-down production began in February 1996 in Houston and closed in May 1997 in Providence, Rhode Island.
national tour with a scaled-down production began in February 1996 in Houston and closed in May 1997 in Providence, Rhode Island.
New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1998.
In 1999, Time magazine named Carousel the best musical of the 20th century. == Background == === Liliom === Ferenc Molnár's Hungarian-language drama, Liliom, premiered in Budapest in 1909.
In 1999, Time magazine, in its "Best of the Century" list, named Carousel the Best Musical of the 20th century, writing that Rodgers and Hammerstein "set the standards for the 20th century musical, and this show features their most beautiful score and the most skillful and affecting example of their musical storytelling".
Jefferson, N.C.: Da Capo Press, 2000 (1st DaCapo Press edition).
The expanded CD version of the soundtrack, issued in 2001, contains all of the singing recorded for the film, including the cut portions, and nearly all of the dance music.
Cambridge, Massachusetts: Applause Theatre and Cinema Books, 2001.
Cambridge, Massachusetts: Applause Theatre and Cinema Books, 2002.
Da Capo Press, 2002 reprint of 1975 edition.
New York: Oxford University Press US, 2004.
Louisville, Ky., Westminster John Knox Press, 2005.
New York: Oxford University Press US, 2006.
Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2007.
Producers sought to feature young talent on the tour, with Patrick Wilson as Billy and Sarah Uriarte Berry, and later Jennifer Laura Thompson, as Julie. A revival opened at London's Savoy Theatre on December 2, 2008, after a week of previews, starring Jeremiah James (Billy), Alexandra Silber (Julie) and Lesley Garrett (Nettie).
It closed in June 2009, a month early.
New York: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, 2010.
Thomas Hischak, in The Rodgers and Hammerstein Encyclopedia, later wondered "if the smaller number of Carousel stage revivals is the product of this often-lumbering [film] musical". There was also an abridged (100 minute) 1967 network television version that starred Robert Goulet, with choreography by Edward Villella. The New York Philharmonic presented a staged concert version of the musical from February 28 to March 2, 2013, at Avery Fisher Hall.
Charles Isherwood of The New York Times wrote, "this is as gorgeously sung a production of this sublime 1945 Broadway musical as you are ever likely to hear." It was broadcast as part of the PBS Live from Lincoln Center series, premiering on April 26, 2013. == Music and recordings == === Musical treatment === Rodgers designed Carousel to be an almost continuous stream of music, especially in Act 1.
The Stratford Festival issued a recording in 2015. == Critical reception and legacy == The musical received almost unanimous rave reviews after its opening in 1945.
A production at Theater Basel, Switzerland, in 2016 to 2017, with German dialogue, was directed by Alexander Charim and choreographed by Teresa Rotemberg.
A production at Theater Basel, Switzerland, in 2016 to 2017, with German dialogue, was directed by Alexander Charim and choreographed by Teresa Rotemberg.
A semi-staged revival by the English National Opera opened at the London Coliseum in 2017.
Another Broadway revival opened in 2018.
The production received mixed to positive reviews. The third Broadway revival began previews in February 2018 at the Imperial Theatre and officially opened on April 12.
It closed on September 16, 2018.
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