Carousel

Carousel, one of the best musicals now on BroadwayHD, is the second musical by the team of Richard Rodgers (music) and Oscar Hammerstein II (book and lyrics). The 1945 piece was an adaptation of Ferenc Molnár's 1909 play Liliom, moving the action from Budapest to the coast of Maine. The story revolves around carousel barker Billy Bigelow, whose romance with millworker Julie Jordan comes at the price of both their jobs.

To support Julie and their unborn child, he tries to commit a robbery; however, when things don't go as planned, he is given the chance to make amends. A side plot centers on the relationship between ambitious fisherman Enoch Snow and millworker Carrie Pipperidge. "If I Love You," "June Is Bustin' Out All Over," and "You'll Never Walk Alone" are a few of the well-known songs featured in the show. Carousel was Richard Rodgers' favorite musical, he later claimed in a letter.

• First published: July 19, 1945
• Author: Oscar Hammerstein II
  
• Adapted: Liliom
• Director: Henry King
• IMDB Rating: 6.6/10