Carousel

Carousel is a Rodgers and Hammerstein classic set in coastal Maine, where carnival barker Billy Bigelow falls in love with millworker Julie Jordan. Their whirlwind romance costs them both their jobs, and Billy’s inability to settle into domestic life leaves him restless and frustrated. When Julie becomes pregnant, Billy—desperate to prove himself and provide for his family—agrees to join a robbery with his scheming friend Jigger, but the plan goes wrong and Billy dies. In the afterlife, he is given a chance to return to Earth for one day to make amends. Though he struggles to express love, Billy ultimately redeems himself by helping his daughter face the world with courage, leaving her with the strength to carry on. The musical is celebrated for its lush score, including “If I Loved You” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, and for its blend of romance, tragedy, and hope. It explores themes of love, loss, forgiveness, and the possibility of redemption, making it one of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most emotionally powerful works.