Full Cast Announced for Carousel Concert Production

Image: Danny Whitehead, Anna O'Byrne and Marina Prior. Photographer: Jeff Busby

Producer Enda Markey has announced the cast who will join Anna O’Byrne and Marina Prior in the presentation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel – A Concert in Melbourne this September.

West End star Danny Whitehead will be playing the role of Billy Bigelow. Danny most recently starred in the West End production of The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London’s West End. His previous credits in the UK include the Narrator in Blood Brothers, Enjolras in Les Misérables, as well as Wicked, Sweeney Todd, South Pacific, The Secret Garden and more. His concert credits have seen him perform at venues including the Royal Albert Hall. This is Danny’s first role in Australia since relocating here last year.

Blake Bowden is also joining the company, as the naïve, shy fisherman Enoch Snow. Blake has most recently appeared as Brad and Frank’n’Furter in The Rocky Horror Show, Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera and Elder Price in The Book of Mormon. Helpmann Award winner Kerrie Anne Greenland will play Carrie Pipperidge, Julie’s friend and co-worker. Kerrie’s roles include Ellen in Miss Saigon, Eponine in Les Misérables, and Violet in Side Show, among many others.

As the menacing seaman Jigger Craigin will be Andy Conaghan (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Les Misérables, Shrek). Veteran actor Tony Llewellyn-Jones will play the heavenly Starkeeper and Dr Seldon. Llewellyn-Jones has appeared in dozens of plays for the Sydney and Melbourne Theatre Companies as well as the role of Colonel Pickering in My Fair Lady, directed by Dame Julie Andrews. Paula Arundell (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Death of a Salesman) plays Mrs Mullin. Former Australian Ballet star Jasmin Durham will play Louise.

The members of the ensemble include Taao Buchanan, Ben Clark, Andrew Dunne, Dominique Hamilton, Matthew Hearne, Genevieve Kingsford, Conor Neylon, Adele Parkinson, Josh Robson, Greta Sherriff, Alexander Tye, Jasmin Vaughnsand Paul Whiteley.

"I’m thrilled to have assembled such an extraordinary group of Australia’s finest theatre stars to bring Rodgers and Hammerstein’s iconic score to life,” said producer Enda Markey. “Carousel holds a special place in the hearts of so many people, and it has been far too long since audiences have had the opportunity to experience it live. I am excited to share the experience of seeing these remarkable performers live and to create an unforgettable event that will rekindle the magic of this iconic show.”

Set in a seaside town in Maine, Carousel follows the love story of Billy Bigelow, a handsome but troubled carousel barker, and Julie Jordan, a young mill worker.

Since its premiere on Broadway in 1945, Carousel has been praised for its poignant storyline, memorable characters, and  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 widely regarded as one of the greatest partnerships in musical theatre history. Together, they created some of the most enduring and beloved musicals, including Oklahoma!, South Pacific, The King and I and The Sound of Music. Their innovative approach revolutionised the genre, earning them numerous awards including Pulitzer Prizes, Tony Awards and Academy Awards.

At the helm of this production of Carousel is conductor Guy Simpson, with direction by former associate director of Melbourne Theatre Company Petra Kalive, and choreography by award-winning Irish choreographer Philip Connaughton. The costume design is by Renata Beslik, lighting design is by Gavan Swift and sound design by Tom Brickhill.

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CAROUSEL: A CONCERT

MELBOURNE

Venue: Princess Theatre, Melbourne 

Dates: Saturday 7 September at 2.30pm and 7.30pm, Sunday 8 September at 1pm

Price: From $99 (plus booking fee)

Bookings: ticketek.com.au or phone 13 28 49