Two of Australia’s most famous leading actresses, Anna O’Byrne and Marina Prior, will star in a lavish concert performance of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel, one of the most popular musicals of all time.

Set in a coastal town in Maine, the musical tells the love story of Billy Bigelow, a handsome but troubled carousel barker, and Julie Jordan, a young factory worker. Anna O’Byrne and Marina Prior play the lead roles of Julie Jordan and Nettie Fowler, the women at the center of this timeless story of love, redemption, and the struggle to find our place in the world.
Since its premiere on Broadway in 1945 carousel was praised for its poignant plot, memorable characters, and unforgettable score, which includes timeless hits such as “If I Loved You,” “Soliloquy,” “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over,” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II are considered one of the greatest couples in musical theater history. Together they created some of the most enduring and popular musicals, including Oklahoma!, South Pacific, The King and I And The sound of my musicTheir innovative approach revolutionized the genre and earned them numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize, the Tony Award and the Academy Award.

At the forefront of this production of carousel is Australia’s leading musical conductor Guy Simpson, under the direction of former Melbourne Theatre Company Associate Director Petra Kalive. Lighting design is by Gavan Swift and sound design by Tom Brickhill. Choreographer is Ireland-based Philip Connaughton.

Carousel: A Concert will be performed at the State Theatre in Sydney from 2-3 September and at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne from 7-8 September (three performances at each venue).

Further information can be found here.