By Clara Moffitt
Once again, TPA’s spring musical has been a great success! Carousel, as described by Claire Newfeld, “is about two young people who fall in love and it’s about their struggles to survive and create a family and their own journeys to realize that they love each other.”
Carousel is a famous classic, released in the 1940s. The plot of this story was a shocker to audiences when it was first released because of how dark and real this show is. “It has one of musical theatre’s first ‘anti-heroes,'” says director Mr. Sanderson, “someone we root for to succeed even though they have deep personal flaws.” Connor Will says that the overall meaning of this well-known play is “to make wise decisions.” Marisa Putrasahan also adds that the overall theme is “the importance of family.”
The main character of this touching musical is Billy Bigelow. This intense role is played by our own All-State tenor Christopher Moffitt. “At the beginning Billy is a pretty dislikable character,” Chris says. “But when he finds out he is having a baby, he begins an inspiring transformation.”
Another lead, Julie Jordan, played beautifully by soprano Jacqueline McIntosh, said that her role is “sympathetic.” There are many funny parts of the show and the actors succeeded in getting lots of audience laughter, especially Erin Guiney as Carrie Pipperidge and her betrothed, P.J. Carmody as Mr. Snow. There are also meaningful and tragic events that brought a lump in the throat, and even tears, to the full-house audiences at each performance.
This tragic but inspiring musical was brought to TPA through a lot of thought. One important question Mr. Sanderson considered was, “what can we give our audience that is not only a meaningful experience, but a new one.” Mr. Sanderson also wanted an American musical drama. Carousel was the perfect fit! Mr. Sanderson has loved this show ever since he was in middle school. He says, “it has been a pleasure to direct the students of TPA in one of America’s classic musicals.”
With TPA seniors approaching graduation, both cast and audience members found inspiration in the words of the closing scene, “I can’t tell you any sure way to happiness. All I know is that you got to go out and find it for yourselves. You can’t lean on the success of your parents. That’s their success. And don’t be held back by their failures! Makes no difference what they did or didn’t do. You just stand on your own two feet. The world belongs to you as much to the next feller. Don’t give up! And try not to be scared o’ people not likin’ you – just you try likin’ them. Just keep your faith and courage, and you’ll come out all right.”