THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 13, 1996 TAG: 9604130370
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Theater Review
SOURCE: BY PAUL SAYEGH, SPECIAL TO THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines
Virginia Opera closed its season Thursday evening with a successful new production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's 1945 musical ``Carousel'' at Norfolk's Harrison Opera House.
``Carousel'' has received a great deal of attention in the last couple of years with revivals both in New York and London, and it's easy to see its attraction for a new generation of audiences and performers. Despite the presence of songs so familiar they feel as if they've been around forever, the musical is disturbing and unsettling, while its frequent mixing of dialogue and music looks ahead to present-day Broadway.
In our technological society, it is hard to completely accept Julie and Billy as believable characters. Their love story, dealing as it does with abuse, failed dreams, and suicide, would hardly seem to be something to sing about.
What saves ``Carousel'' is its wonderful musical score, filled with songs that have become American standards. Hearing ``If I Loved You'' and ``June is Busting Out All Over'' at the Harrison Opera House must be the equivalent of attending a Strauss operetta in Vienna. ``You'll Never Walk Alone'' is frequently cited as the epitome of a sappy song. Heard in the context of the show, following Billy's death, it seems more stoic and grim than sentimental.
Conductor Jerome Shannon clearly loves this show, as his affectionate and expansive treatment of the score demonstrates. He obtained some lovely and expressive playing from the orchestra. At times, he could have pushed forward a bit more, particularly in the first act, which felt a bit episodic.
Director Greg Ganakas staged a clear, unfussy production that only faltered slightly in its balance between comedy and tragedy. The character of Jigger was played too much for laughs, while Billy's suicide seemed underplayed. However, the scene following his death was impressive in its depiction of grief.
Ganakas was helped by Erhard Rom's clever scenic design that set the action within two large gold picture frames, adding not only a nostalgic feel to the story, but actually giving an apparent depth to the shallow Harrison stage. It also allowed the simple scenery pieces to be quickly moved on and off. Only the projected rainbow at the very end seemed unnecessary and overly sentimental.
Baritone Russell Cusick was a handsome and charismatic Billy. His lyric baritone was powerful, yet capable of the most beautiful soft singing, particularly in his middle and upper voice. He acted the impulsive and potentially violent character well.
He was matched by the delicate, shimmering soprano of Laura Knoop as Julie Jordan. Playing a character who keeps her true feelings hidden, she allowed those emotions to emerge in her songs, especially the gorgeous, melancholy ``What's the Use of Wondering.''
Eric Dillner and Kristen Plumley were hilarious as Enoch Snow and Carrie Pipperidge, the secondary couple. Both singers used their bright voices to good effect. Elizabeth Bishop played Nettie Fowler as a warm yet strong character. Her smooth mezzo-soprano was restrained in the moving ``You'll Never Walk Alone.'' Tony Fabio was the menacing Jigger.
Frank Bove provided the lively choreography. In the ballet scene of the second act, Billy's daughter Louise was danced by Beth Morgan Williams, partnered by Michael Barriskill. Here, the choreography seemed too mature for such a young girl.
As usual with Broadway shows, miking was employed. It allowed lyrics and dialogue to be easily understood, while being discreet enough that the singers' voices did not blast or distort. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Baritone Russell Cusick, as Billy, and Laura Knoop, as Julie Jordan,
star in the Virginia Opera's production of ``Carousel,'' which runs
through Sunday at the Harrison Opera House in Norfolk. The songs
from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical have become American
standards, such as ``You'll Never Walk Alone'' and ``June is Busting
Out All Over.''
Graphic
Who: Virginia Opera
What: ``Carousel'' by Rodgers and Hammerstein
When: Opened April 11. Additional performances 2:30 and 8:00 p.m.
today and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Harrison Opera House, Norfolk
Call: 623-1223
by CNB