Theater Thursday - Carousel

What: Carousel

Where: Imperial Theatre
             249 W. 45th St.
            New York, NY

Who: Recommended for 13 and up

When: THROUGH SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 16 ONLY!

Me- Carousel was an okay show. It wasn't one of my favorites, but it was still enjoyable. The dancing was amazing! There were a few actors who have previously appeared in Newsies which highly enhanced my experience watching the group numbers since Newsies is one of my all-time favorite shows. The songs were pretty, and the acting and singing were great. My favorite part was, by far, Jessie Mueller who starred as Julie Jordan. She is one of my biggest idols, and my main reason for wanting to see the show in the first place. While I  definitely preferred her performance in other roles, she is incredible in everything she does, and she absolutely deserved the Tony nomination she received for the role. All in all, if you're looking for an uplifting or light show to see I would not recommend this one. However, it still makes for an entertaining night.  *

*The above is a guest post by older sister, Melia

Mom: Although most people think of Rodgers and Hammerstein shows as being upbeat joyful musicals, there are much darker themes running through most, if not all, of their musicals, the Nazi invasion of Austria in The Sound of Music, racial prejudices in South Pacific, to name just a few examples. However, Carousel with the tale of an abusive relationship at its center may be the darkest of their shows, and is definitely not suitable for young children. This is not to say that there are not lighter moments in the show because there definitely are. Many of them  are provided by the convival secondary couple Carrie Pipperidge and Enoch Snow. The couple are charmingly played here by Lindsay Mendez and Alexander Gemignani. In fact, the acting led by Jesse Mueller as Julie Jordan and Joshua Henry as Billy Bigelow is good all around. The music which includes the lilting Carousel Waltz, the touching I I Loved You, and the inspirational You'll Never Walk Alone is one of Rodgers and Hammerstein's best and includes some of their most well known songs. Accordingly, if you are looking for well acted show full of beautiful familiar songs, Carousel is a good choice. If you are looking for a light happy musical, this is definitely not it.

For more about Carousel or to purchase tickets, visit http://carouselbroadway.com.

And that's our view. Tune in tomorrow for Funtivity Friday.

Photo credit: All Carousel production photos by Julieta Cervantes.