Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘Carousel’ staged at UW-Stevens Point
10/31/2013
​​Allegra Berglund as Julie Jordan and Bryce Dutton as Billy Bigelow in
scene from Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Carousel," to be staged at 
UW-Stevens Point October 8-10 and 13-16.
 
“Carousel,” a musical that explores life and death through the powerful music and lyrics of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, will be staged by the Department of Theatre & Dance at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Nov. 8-10 and 13-16.

Dubbed “the best musical of the 20th century” by Time Magazine, “Carousel” will be performed in Jenkins Theatre in the Noel Fine Arts Center, 1800 Portage St., at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 8 and 9, and Wednesday through Saturday, Nov. 13-16. A 2 p.m. matinee will be performed Sunday, Nov. 10.

Admission is $19 for adults, $18 for senior citizens and $14 for students. Tickets are available
at the Information and Tickets Office in the Dreyfus University Center, http://tickets.uwsp.edu, or by calling 715-346-4100 or 800-838-3378.

Set in a small, seaside town in 1873, “Carousel” is about people with rich stories and real struggles that are remarkably current to the audience, said show director Theatre Professor Alan Patrick Kenny. While it begins with a romantic story between carnival barker Billy Bigelow and millworker Julie Jordan, their relationship comes at a price.

“This show is as realistic and dramatic as possible,” he said. “Expect real people, beautiful music and entertaining, dark drama. Few musicals include hard truths and probe deep into our human existence. It will surprise you and make you ask yourself questions, which is what great art should do.”

A 17-piece orchestra is on stage, accompanying classic songs such as “If I Loved You,” “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” Powerful music and beautiful dance sequences make this an epic show, said Kenny.

Performing in “Carousel” has been an eye-opening experience for the student actors, he added, as they see their own lives in their characters. Each of the 36 members of the cast, which includes four local children and Musical Theatre Professor Emeritus Roger Nelson, plays a named character with a background story to create a more realistic community.

Much of the action happens on a large turntable on stage, representing a world that keeps spinning and creating visual interest for the audience.​ 

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