The Media Theatre has Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical “Carousel” as the opener for its 2017-18 Broadway Series season. The beloved show plays September 20 to October 22.
The musical takes place between 1873 and 1888 in a small New England fishing village. The tale revolves around a love affair between Billy Bigelow, a travelling carnival man, and Julie Jordan, a local factory worker. Desperate for money after learning that he is soon to become a father, Billy is killed during an attempted robbery. Several years later, when he is allowed to return to earth for a short time, he seeks out the daughter of his union with Julie.
“Carousel” was adapted from Ferenc Molnár's 1909 play “Liliom”, transplanting its Budapest setting to the Maine coastline, although the ending was changed. The 1945 musical reunited the creative team that had brought Oklahoma! to the stage two years earlier, was a success. The New York Daily Mirror wrote: "Carousel is beautiful, bountiful, beguiling...it is the product of taste, imagination and skill."
The production ran for 890 performances and went on to win the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for "Best Musical" of 1945 and 8 Donaldson Awards including Best Musical, Book, Lyrics and Score. The 1994 Broadway revival won its share of awards as well, boasting 5 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, and in 1999, TIME Magazine voted Carousel "Best Musical of the Century!"
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| Broadway actor Joseph Spieldenner, who will play the role of Billy Bigelow |
“Carousel” has a memorable score, featuring songs such as “If I Loved You” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone”.
The Media Theatre’s cast features Broadway’s Joseph Spieldenner in the role of Billy Bigelow. Spieldenner was recently seen in the revival of “Les Miserables”. Prior to his Broadway career, he was in The Media Theatre’s production of “Oklahoma!” as Curly.
Originally from Albion, Maine, Spieldenner was in the recent Broadway revival of "Les Miserables" as Grantaire. He was also seen in the National Tour of the 25th Anniversary of "Les Miserables", as well as in the tour of "South Pacific". He has performed at North Shore Music Theatre, North Carolina Theater, Paper Mill Playhouse, Sacramento Music Circus and on other stages. His TV credits include "Redrum" on InvDiscovery, as well as the Netflix series "Iron Fist".
The Media Theatre’s production will be directed by its Artistic Director Jesse Cline, with music direction by Ben Kapilow. Dann Dunn choreographs. "Carousel" is on stage September 20 through October 22. GET TICKETS or call 610-891-0100.
Originally from Albion, Maine, Spieldenner was in the recent Broadway revival of "Les Miserables" as Grantaire. He was also seen in the National Tour of the 25th Anniversary of "Les Miserables", as well as in the tour of "South Pacific". He has performed at North Shore Music Theatre, North Carolina Theater, Paper Mill Playhouse, Sacramento Music Circus and on other stages. His TV credits include "Redrum" on InvDiscovery, as well as the Netflix series "Iron Fist".
The Media Theatre’s production will be directed by its Artistic Director Jesse Cline, with music direction by Ben Kapilow. Dann Dunn choreographs. "Carousel" is on stage September 20 through October 22. GET TICKETS or call 610-891-0100.
The cast is:
Billy Bigelow…..Joseph Spieldenner
Julie Jordan…..Maxwell Porterfield
Carrie……………..Madalyn St. John
Jigger………………Carl Smith
Mrs. Mullins……Susan Mattson
Nettie Fowler…..Elisa Matthews
Mr. Snow………….George Slotin
Enoch Snow Jr/ Ensemble….Austy Hicks
Starkeeper……….Jim Conte
Louise………………..Beada Briglia
Mr. Bascomb…….Kelly Briggs
Carnival Boy….Willem Guenther
The Ensemble: Todd Berkich, Dante Brattelli, Madalaina D’Angelo, Sarah Jane Knoblich, Sam Nagel, Dana Orange, Maddy Pelesh, Kristin Smith, Liam Snead, Erika Wasko, and Tasha Waters.
Snow Children……..Group One: Charlie Carroccio, Zachary Divito, Savanna Galloway, Mary Katherine Schwartz, Amanda Treston. Group Two: Sutton Gold, Adrian Henry, Lauren McAlee, Drew Murphy, Brynn Washbourne
Subscriptions are available! Along with "Carousel", The Media Theatre's 2017-18 Broadway Series includes Disney's "Beauty And The Beast" (Nov. 15-Jan. 14), "Next To Normal" (Jan. 31-Feb. 25), "IF/ THEN" (March 14-April 1), and Disney's "Newsies" (April 18-June 10).
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