Review Roundup: Lyric Opera of Chicago's CAROUSEL

Lyric Opera of Chicago's stunning new production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel opened on April 12 and continues through May 3 at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Dr., 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, 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.

Let's see what the critics had to say...

Charles Isherwood, The New York Times: The production is as beautifully sung - and beautifully played, by the Lyric orchestra under the conductor David Chase - as anything on Broadway right now, with Mr. Pasquale in particular standing out for his moving Billy. He brings the first act to an electrifying climax with his powerful rendering of "Soliloquy"...over all the production...does justice to this beloved and too rarely seen musical and its treasure of unforgettable songs...Some of the minor flaws in the staging probably derive from the challenge of presenting a musical on an expansive opera house stage...Ashford's choreography for the ballet, and for the opening waltz, can be blurry and overly busy...At other times, the upbeat numbers take a while to gain steam, leaving you waiting impatiently for the energy to rise or take interesting shape...But with the superb singing on display, I am beginning to feel like a churl for citing any flaws.

Robert Bullen, The Huffington Post: ...under Rob Ashford's sublime direction, Lyric Opera of Chicago's production is a Carousel for the ages. Not only is it exquisitely sung and masterfully acted by a cast of Broadway veterans, its hypnotic production design by Paolo Ventura elevates the dreamlike and otherworldly aspects of this heartbreaking love story...As brooding carnival barker Billy Bigelow, Steven Pasquale gives one of the most heart-stopping performances I've seen in a musical in recent memory...Some may feel he's underplaying the role, but, to me, he's living it -- and when he does unleash those moments of raw passion and fire, such as in his soul-searing (and show-stopping) "Soliloquy," watch out. As Bigelow's reluctant love interest, Tony nominee Laura Osnes infuses Julie Jordan with a sweet and deep melancholy and sings like a dream. Much like Pasquale, Osnes delivers a measured, nuanced performance, which grounds this production in gritty, human emotion.

Barbara Vitello, Daily Herald: The 37-piece orchestra, masterfully conducted by David Chase, is one of the great pleasures of this production...There are other delights as well, beginning with Steven Pasquale's moody, charismatic carousel barker Billy Bigelow and Laura Osnes' comely millworker Julie Jordan...director/choreographer Rob Ashford's seductive, unsentimental yet darkly compelling production -- set during the Depression -- comes about as close to perfect as it gets...Then there are the performances. Pasquale, who has a voice as powerful as he is handsome, is superb as the casually cruel Billy, who overcomes his self-loathing to save the child he never met. His impassioned, showstopping "Soliloquy" warranted every bit of the sustained applause. The lovely voiced Osnes appears delicate, but appearances deceive. Her Julie is no pushover. She knows her own mind and accepts the consequences of her actions. Brava.

Carole Kuhrt Brewer, Show Me Chicago: Right from the start you know you are in for something special. The show's opening features a magical parade of circus tents gracefully swirling in circles opening ever so slightly to give the audience a peek inside..."Cinderella" star Laura Osnes and "The Bridges of Madison County" star Steven Pasquale...for the most part, lived up to the hype. Pasquale's Billy, was the real deal from his duet with Julie singing "If I Loved You" to his extraordinary "Soliloquy," when he learns he's going to be a father--which brought the house down on opening night. I had some difficulty, at times, understanding the words and lyrics from the softer voiced Laura Osnes as Julie...The scenic designs from Italian Visual Artist Paolo Ventura...fit in masterfully with the show and the Opera House adding a mystical quality to the production...The three hour production, directed by Rob Ashford, also marks the Lyric debut for Conductor David Chase whose work is truly something special--as is the entire production.

Be sure to check back for updates!

Photo Credit: Todd Rosenberg

To post a comment, you must register and login.