The New York Philharmonic has announced several additions to the cast of its production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Carousel, February 27-March 2, 2013: Shuler Hensley will portray Jigger Craigin, Jason Danieley will portray Enoch Snow (replacing the previously announced Alexander Gemignani, who has withdrawn due to scheduling conflicts), Jessie Mueller will portray Carrie Pipperidge, Kate Burton will portray Mrs. Mullin, and John Cullum will portRay Starkeeper/Dr. Seldon. As previously announced, Carousel will star Kelli O'Hara as Julie Jordan, Nathan Gunn as Billy Bigelow, and Stephanie Blythe as Nettie Fowler. The production will be directed by John Rando, conducted by Rob Fisher, and choreographed by Warren Carlyle. The production's cast and creative team have earned a combined total of 16 Tony Awards and 32 Tony nominations.
The New York Philharmonic's production of Carousel will be telecast nationally on Live From Lincoln Center, hosted by Audra McDonald, on PBS stations Friday, April 26, 2013, at 9:00 p.m. (check local listings).
Carousel is based on Hungarian playwright Ferenc Molnár's 1909 play, Liliom, but transfers the story from Europe to the Maine coastline. The musical, which revolves around the tragic romance between carousel barker Billy Bigelow and mill worker Julie Jordan, includes such highlights as "If I Loved You," "June Is Bustin' Out All Over," and "You'll Never Walk Alone." The New York Philharmonic has performed selections from Carousel on various programs since 1946, most recently in March 2011 when Ted Sperling conducted Ms. O'Hara, Mr. Gunn, and the Orchestra in Classic Broadway, an evening of Broadway selections that included "If I Loved You" and the Carousel Waltz.
Tickets for these concerts start at $95. All tickets may be purchased online at nyphil.org or by calling (212) 875-5656, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets may also be purchased at the Avery Fisher Hall Box Office. The Box Office opens at 10:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and at noon on Sunday. On performance evenings, the Box Office closes one-half hour after performance time; other evenings it closes at 6:00 p.m. To determine ticket availability, call the Philharmonic's Customer Relations Department at (212) 875-5656. Ticket prices subject to change.
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