Chicago Theater Preview: CAROUSEL (Lyric Opera)

Post image for Chicago Theater Preview: CAROUSEL (Lyric Opera)

by Tony Frankel on April 11, 2015

in Theater-Chicago

CAROUSEL COMES TO LYRIC OPERA

Lyric Opera of Chicago’s stunning new production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel opens tonight and runs through May 3, 2015 at the Civic Opera House in Chicago. The production is directed and choreographed by Tony, Emmy, and Olivier Award winner Rob Ashford. It stars Steven Pasquale (The Bridges of Madison County) as carousel barker Billy Bigelow; Laura Osnes (Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella) as his true love, millworker Julie Jordan; Jenn Gambatese (Lyric’s The Sound of Music) as Carrie Pipperidge; Matthew Hydzik (Side Show) as Carrie’s beau Enoch Snow; Denyce Graves (Lyric’s Carmen) as Nettie Fowler; Jarrod Emick (Damn Yankees) as Jigger Craigin; Charlotte d’Amboise (Pippin) as Mrs. Mullin; and Tony Roberts (Victor, Victoria) as the Starkeeper.

Conductor David Chase makes his Lyric debut with Carousel, leading members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus. Chase is a regular collaborator with director/choreographer Rob Ashford. Visual artist Paolo Ventura makes his theatrical debut as set designer. Tony Award-winning Catherine Zuber is costume designer. Neil Austin is lighting designer, Mark Grey is sound designer, and Michael Black is chorus master.

The opening night performance of Carousel will be broadcast on 98.7 WFMT and streamed on wfmt.com on Sunday, April 12 at 7:15pm.

Carousel ticketholders can visit the new gallery exhibit “Creating Carousel” before curtain and during intermission of all performances. Located in the Opera Club on the lower level of the Civic Opera House, the exhibit includes set design paintings, set model elements, and a video interview with artist Paolo Ventura, costume design drawings by Catherine Zuber, and some vintage carousel elements on loan from Architectural Artifacts. It is free to all ticket holders and will be on display through early May. The exhibit is co-curated by Michael Schoenig and Scott Marr.

This month marks the 70th anniversary of the Broadway premiere of Carousel, which had its first performance April 19, 1945.

The CompanyThe Company

Laura Osnes, Steven Pasquale and The CompanyLaura Osnes, Steven Pasquale and The Company

The CompanyThe Company

Laura OsnesLaura Osnes

Steven Pasquale, David Lively and Laura OsnesSteven Pasquale, David Lively and Laura Osnes

Laura Osnes and Steven PasqualeLaura Osnes and Steven Pasquale

Laura Osnes and Steven PasqualeLaura Osnes and Steven Pasquale

Steven Pasquale and Laura OsnesSteven Pasquale and Laura Osnes

Denyce Graves and CompanyDenyce Graves and Company

Jenn Gambatese, Denyce Graves and CompanyJenn Gambatese, Denyce Graves and Company

Jenn Gambatese, Laura Osnes and CompanyJenn Gambatese, Laura Osnes and Company

Jenn Gambatese, Matthew Hydzik and CompanyJenn Gambatese, Matthew Hydzik and Company

Jenn Gambatese and Matthew HydzikJenn Gambatese and Matthew Hydzik

Jarrod Emick and CompanyJarrod Emick and Company

15_Company_CAROUSEL_KUS_5737_cRobert_Kusel (1024x674)The Company

Charlotte d’Amboise, Steven Pasquale and Jarrod EmickCharlotte d’Amboise, Steven Pasquale and Jarrod Emick

Steven PasqualeSteven Pasquale

Laura Osnes and Steven PasqualeLaura Osnes, Steven Pasquale and Jarrod Emick

Denyce GravesDenyce Graves

The CompanyThe Company

Matthew Hydzik, Jenn Gambatese and Jarrod EmickMatthew Hydzik, Jenn Gambatese and Jarrod Emick

Steven Pasquale and Jarrod EmickSteven Pasquale and Jarrod Emick

Denyce Graves, Steven Pasquale and Laura OsnesDenyce Graves, Steven Pasquale and Laura Osnes

Tony Roberts and Steven PasqualeTony Roberts and Steven Pasquale

Steven Pasquale, Abigail Simon, and Tony RobertsSteven Pasquale, Abigail Simon, and Tony Roberts

Charlotte d’Amboise and CompanyCharlotte d’Amboise and Company

Charlotte d’Amboise and CompanyCharlotte d’Amboise and Company

Abigail Simon, Martin Harvey, Charlotte d’Amboise and CompanyAbigail Simon, Martin Harvey, Charlotte d’Amboise and Company

Steven Pasquale, Abigail Simon, and Laura OsnesSteven Pasquale, Abigail Simon, and Laura Osnes

Tony RobertsTony Roberts

Laura Osnes, Steven Pasquale and CompanyLaura Osnes, Steven Pasquale and Company

32_Company_CAROUSEL_KUS_6572_cRobert_Kusel (1024x686)The Company in the finale

photos by Todd Rosenberg and Robert Kusel

Carousel
Lyric Opera of Chicago
Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Dr
ends on May 3, 2015
for tickets, call 312-827-5600 or visit Lyric Opera

for more shows, visit Theatre in Chicago

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