Carousel

[whygodwhytoday]

The film version of this has to be one of the worst things I've ever seen. It feels like it lasts for ten hours (thank the lord for Gordon MacRrae's pretty face). I don't mind the stage show, but I wouldn't say I love it either. After "If I Loved You..." it starts going somewhat downhill for me. The score is fairly strong but is tainted by "Soliloquy", a song which does nothing for me - I can respect the originality of it, but it's as melodically as exciting as ditch water. 

This show depends on the production/direction. The dark undertones to it are really what propels the story - who gives a damn about Mister Snow? What a waste of a character. Still, the show is a classic, and I understand why people love it. I by no means hate the show, I just think Time magazine calling it the "Greatest musical of the 20th Century" is a huge overstatement. 

The recording I mostly listen to is the Lincoln Center 2013 audio. What is the ultimate cast recording of this show? There has been many.

What are your thoughts on this R&H classic? Are there any revival plans? 

[waybeyondblue]

I really enjoyed listening to the BBC recording from 1995 over the weekend. Blinding performance from Mandy Patinkin and so much better than the film. It's still on iiPlayer Radio.

I'd grab a decent revival in a heartbeat but only if it can do justice to the material (so not another Showboat)

It's certainly one of the best musicals of the period but greatest then probably not.

[anthony40]

I saw it a couple of years back at The Barbican having only ever seen the film and never seen a professional production.

It was extremely good. My only criticism were there were far ti many ensemble case members. I mean they could have comfortable cut therm by about 30 people or so.

[Deleted]

I love Carousel, and I love Soliloquy. It's one of the counterexamples I use when people criticise musicals as being just "stopping for a song", as it performs an excellent job of bringing music and lyrics together to show Billy's change in attitude and set up the second half of the show.

As for Mr Snow, yes, he's rather pompous and stodgy, but I'd forgive any character that sings When The Children Are Asleep. I wasn't too keen on that number when I first heard it but it grew on me over time, and the way it paints a picture of the couple growing old together gets me every time.

Also, moved to Musicals.

[mallardo]

Rodgers and Hammerstein believed Carousel to be their greatest achievement - and they were certainly correct. Extremely daring both in its subject matter - Billy the wife beater - and in its structure and style it's a true masterpiece. The Nicholas Hytner NT production of 1992, which I saw a few years later in New York, remains the single greatest production of a musical I have ever seen.

[martin1965]

Thought it was supposed to be the ENO choice for next year, which would be fab😀

[shabbytigs]

One of my favourite musicals and I happen to like the film. Anything which has the wonderful voices of Gordon MacRae and shirley Jones aren't to be sniffed at in my opinion. I enjoy thenm in this pairing rather than in their previous Oklahoma.
I saw the Opera North version at the Barbican, 3 or 4 years ago. We even bumped into the leading man as he was humming "When the Children are Asleep!" It was good, but the Morphic Graffiti production at the Arcola 2 years ago was sublime! Gemma Sutton was Julie and she was lovely. A teeny space, but what the company managed with it was fantastic. I absolutely loved this version and managed to see it twice!

[notmymuse]

Aug 15, 2016 19:35:32 GMT whygodwhytoday said:

The film version of this has to be one of the worst things I've ever seen. It feels like it lasts for ten hours (thank the lord for Gordon MacRrae's pretty face). I don't mind the stage show, but I wouldn't say I love it either. After "If I Loved You..." it starts going somewhat downhill for me. The score is fairly strong but is tainted by "Soliloquy", a song which does nothing for me - I can respect the originality of it, but it's as melodically as exciting as ditch water. 

This show depends on the production/direction. The dark undertones to it are really what propels the story - who gives a damn about Mister Snow? What a waste of a character. Still, the show is a classic, and I understand why people love it. I by no means hate the show, I just think Time magazine calling it the "Greatest musical of the 20th Century" is a huge overstatement. 

The recording I mostly listen to is the Lincoln Center 2013 audio. What is the ultimate cast recording of this show? There has been many.

What are your thoughts on this R&H classic? Are there any revival plans? 

Thanks for starting such an interesting discussion! I've seen three stage versions and I think so much comes down to the production.

I found the Savoy production with Lesley Garrett really dull, and almost didn't go and see a Thom Southerland production in the studio at the Broadway in Catford a year or two later. But so glad I did. On a shoestring budget he brought it to life. It was one of the best nights in the theatre, ever. The ballet told a story and went somewhere. Fantastic.

I've never found a cast recording I've liked though, having tried many. Shame.

[BGLowe]

I absolutely adore Carousel. It is my favourite R&H and an all time favourite. I think 'Soliloquy' is a perfect song to change the shift in Billy's attitude and thoughts (hence the change of pace etc). I also think it's needed to show Billy isn't a complete idiot (albeit he is quite flawed) and it sets up act 2.

I always thought Mr Snow was meant to juxtapose Billy: he's somewhat stuffy, straight laced, borderline boring but ends up being hard working and successful. Take whatever message you want from that! (I always thought you need the perfect mix of Snow and Billy). Similarly the two relationships are juxtapositions from each other.

The subject is somewhat controversial but I adore it. Billy is extremely flawed but clearly has love inside him. I love the journey he goes on (and I also sob at the end!)

I tend to the listen to the 1993 soundtrack myself as its always the first I find on Spotify.

[whygodwhytoday]

Aug 17, 2016 13:33:07 GMT BGLowe said:

I absolutely adore Carousel. It is my favourite R&H and an all time favourite. I think 'Soliloquy' is a perfect song to change the shift in Billy's attitude and thoughts (hence the change of pace etc). I also think it's needed to show Billy isn't a complete idiot (albeit he is quite flawed) and it sets up act 2.

I always thought Mr Snow was meant to juxtapose Billy: he's somewhat stuffy, straight laced, borderline boring but ends up being hard working and successful. Take whatever message you want from that! (I always thought you need the perfect mix of Snow and Billy). Similarly the two relationships are juxtapositions from each other.

The subject is somewhat controversial but I adore it. Billy is extremely flawed but clearly has love inside him. I love the journey he goes on (and I also sob at the end!)

I tend to the listen to the 1993 soundtrack myself as its always the first I find on Spotify.

I've never really considered the juxtaposition between the characters before... I agree you need the perfect balance of Snow and Billy! Carrie and Julie also contrast each other - Carrie settling for less than ideal... "Now fish is my favourite perfume" showing she grew to love Snow and took the bitter with the sweet; a world away from the relationship between Billy and Julie. I think Carousel has to be the sharpest libretto by Oscar Hammerstein II. It would be interesting to see how the musical would look with the darker ending from the original play, instead of ending on a slightly happier note.

[dgjbear]

Aug 15, 2016 20:23:22 GMT mallardo said:

Rodgers and Hammerstein believed Carousel to be their greatest achievement - and they were certainly correct. Extremely daring both in its subject matter - Billy the wife beater - and in its structure and style it's a true masterpiece. The Nicholas Hytner NT production of 1992, which I saw a few years later in New York, remains the single greatest production of a musical I have ever seen.

The National version was a highlight for me too...I knew little about it and went on my own. Was blown away by the design and cast. Left a blubbering fool by the end. Incredible.