Photo Flash: First Look at Laura Osnes, Steven Pasquale & More in Lyric Opera of Chicago's Stunning CAROUSEL!

Lyric Opera of Chicago's stunning new production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel begins tonight, April 10, and continues through May 3 at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Dr., Chicago. Tickets start at $29, and are available at lyricopera.org/carousel or at 312-827-5600. The official press opening for Carousel is tomorrow, Saturday, April 11 at 7pm. Check out a first look at the cast in action below!

The production is directed and choreographed by Tony, Emmy, and Olivier Award winner Rob Ashford. It stars Steven Pasquale (The Bridges of Madison County, The Good Wife) 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, West Side Story) 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 (The Royal Family; Victor, Victoria; Cabaret) 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 (The Sound of Music Live! and Peter Pan Live!, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Lyric's The Barber of Seville). Visual artist Paolo Ventura makes his theatrical debut as set designer. Tony Award-winning Catherine Zuber (Lyric's The Barber of Seville) is costume designer. Neil Austin (Lyric's Madama Butterfly) is lighting designer, Mark Grey (Lyric's The Sound of Music, Oklahoma!, Show Boat) is sound designer, and Michael Black is chorus master.

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

Photos by Todd_Rosenberg