“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.