“Carousel” Spins Into Solehi
With intricate dance sequences and a tragic storyline, this year’s spring musical “Carousel” is unlike any done before. Cited by TIME Magazine as the “Best Musical of the 20th Century,” it will premiere on April 7 and last until April 10.
“‘Carousel’ is a classic,” music teacher and director Mr. Matthew Wehr said. “I chose ‘Carousel’ because it is a favorite of mine, and I have been looking for the right cast to do it with for several years. After enjoying ‘Sound of Music’ last fall, I felt we should stay in that big, old, classic style.”
“Carousel” follows the story of Julie Jordan, a millworker in the late 1800s, and her love for a carousel barker named Billy Bigelow. When the couple gets married, they find themselves both unemployed with a baby on the way. In order to provide for his family, Billy resorts to crime and violence, and his actions lead the family into a downward spiral of tragedy and loss.
Julie Jordan is played by junior Caleigh Schmidt, accompanied by senior Chris Smith as Billy Bigelow.
“[My part has] challenged me to find a depth of character in myself, because Julie needs such a range of emotions,” Schmidt said. “It’s a lot of flipping between happy and sad, so that’s been challenging.”
The musical also features Julie’s best friend Carrie Pipperidge, played by junior Lexi Brown, and her lover Enoch Snow, played by senior Luke Simons. Junior Giuliana Augello plays Nettie Fowler and senior Gavan Sullivan plays Jigger Craigin.
“[Enoch is] a witty guy, [he’s] pretty weird,” Simons said. “Hopefully the audience will like me, I can make them laugh. Near the end of the show I do get stricter and take pride in all nine children that I have.”
While recent Southern Lehigh musicals such as, “42nd Street,” “Shrek,” and “The Drowsy Chaperone” have been lighthearted and comedic, “Carousel” has much darker and deeper undertones and plays with the themes of death, suicide, and redemption.
“In some ways it is quite similar and in many ways quite different,” Mr. Wehr said. “Carousel is a deceptively large show. Despite its age, written in 1943, it is a very complicated show.”
In addition to the cast and crew, “Carousel” will be featuring a full pit orchestra with 40 student members and only seven adults.
“In my opinion, this show has the most beautiful flowing melodies in the pit orchestra,” Simons said, “which I love because being a musician by trade it’s enjoyable by that respect.”
The set will also include a life-size, mobile Carousel that the characters can ride on.
“It’s incredible when it comes out onstage and it starts spinning,” Schmidt said. “It’s like magic.”
The cast and crew of “Carousel” are looking forward to show-week and showcasing all of their hard work.
“Being my final show, it’s just a sentimental show being able to do with Chris, Lexi, Caleigh and everyone,” Simons said. “I’m really excited to be able to give the audience life and enjoyment.”
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