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Regional Reviews: Phoenix Carousel Also see Gil's reviews of Cinderella, Love, Sex and the I.R.S., God's Favorite, and Menopause the Musical
Set in 1870s Maine, the plot follows Julie Jordan, a millworker who falls in love with bad boy Billy Bigelow, a barker at the local carousel. Their courtship and marriage don't quite go as planned, with the now out of work Billy upset, often drunk, and resorting to occasionally striking Julie. But when he discovers that she is pregnant, he decides he needs to do something in order to provide for the child. What he decides to do changes his and Julie's lives forever and also mars the life of their newborn child. Carousel's score is one of Rodgers and Hammerstein's most sophisticated. While there are several more traditional, standalone songs, like "You'll Never Walk Alone" and "June is Bustin' Out All Over," there are others where Hammerstein's lyrics and dialogue ingeniously flow naturally in and out of each other. These include "You're a Queer One, Julie Jordan" and "If I Loved You." Phillip Fazio and Sarah Wolter expertly co-direct the production so that these non-traditional songs seem completely organic to the feelings of the characters, and the lyrics simply another way for them to tell us their thoughts. While Fazio and Wolter have opted for a mostly barebones production, there are superior leads in the roles of Julie and Billy as well as vibrant actors in supporting parts. Brenda Jean Foley and Joseph Cannon are quite good as Julie and Billy. Both have fine-tuned facial expressions, well thought out dialogue delivery, and they bring a deep, realistic connection to their vocals. Through Foley, Julie's apprehension when, at their first meeting, she doesn't quite know if she wants to stay with Billy or leave with her friend Carrie, is matched by the combination of excitement, confusion, joy, and self-awareness Cannon achieves during his big solo, "Soliloquy" as Billy. Fazio and Wolter have staged several of the scenes with the couple almost as if they were mating dances, and Foley and Cannon's performances perfectly match the staging as they are full of nuance, realism and excitement yet, underneath, also have a profound sense of courage and inner strength with a dose of discontent. As Julie's friend Carrie, Alanna Kalbfleisch is simply superb. Full of life and joy, with clear and rich vocals, Kalbfleisch is giving one of the best supporting performances so far this season. You can't take your eyes off of her when she is on stage. Harmon Swartz achieves an engaging performance as Carrie's attended, the highly motivated fisherman Enoch Snow, and Carrie Klofach delivers a touching and moving version of "You'll Never Walk Alone." While the direction and prerecorded musical tracks are top notch, the minimalistic set design means the opening "Carousel Waltz," where Julie and Carrie attend the fair and encounter Billy at the carousel, is not very clear. While the ensemble members effectively represent fair-goers and carnie folk, the carousel itself is so barebones that it resembles a very simple May pole. Even Jennifer Cafarella's choreography is unable to clarify to anyone who has never seen the show before that the women are supposed to be riding a carousel. Also, the "Heavenly friends" have such low key and monotone delivery in their interactions with Billy that it slightly takes away from the importance of the latter scenes in the show. But those are the only quibbles with the creative elements and direction. Fortunately, Jeff A. Davis' lighting design is exquisite and lush and scenic designer Douglas Clarke's decision to use a round circle, high above the stage, on which images of a clock face, the sun, and the moon are projected, is simple and superb. Mickey Courtney's abundant costumes are simple, yet full of nice touches, and character and period appropriate. Cafarella's choreography for the second act ballet is a perfect combination of athleticism and romantic ballet steps which Jacqueline Brecker and Connor Wince deliver expertly. This is the third show in less than a year where Brecker and Wince have partnered together, and their connection to each other has a deep, emotional resonance. The beauty of this Mesa Encore Theatre production is that it doesn't shy away from the serious topic of spousal abuse, yet also doesn't dwell on it, and Foley and Cannon deliver fine portrayals of the imperfect characters that the abuse impacts. Even with a few shortcomings and the barebones design aspects, with superb leads, excellent actors in the supporting roles, and clear direction, the MET production of Carousel is quite an achievement. Carousel runs at Mesa Encore Theatre through March 22nd, 2015, with performances at the Mesa Arts Center at 1 East Main Street in Mesa. Tickets can be ordered by calling (480) 644-6500 or at mesaencoretheatre.com. Directors: Phillip Fazio & Sarah Wolter Cast:
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