Theatre--Review

Hail St. Mary for the graciousness to again offer the Acadiana community a summer youth musical. For four years, St. Mary Mother of the Church has been host and sponsor of a Broadway musical bringing together students from elementary school to college. The effort has been tremendous, the musicals have been uplifting, and the success has been notable.

This year the presentation is Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel. The second of the Broadway duo’s great musicals, it is based on Farenc Molnar’s 1909 drama Liliom. Liliom was actually considered for the team’s first collaboration but the rights were denied. But with the great success of the team’s Oklahoma! permission was eventually given and work began leading to the 1945 opening, the Tony Award, and much more. The somewhat somber story deals with a carnival barker (Billy Bigelow) a shy factory worker (Julie Jordan) and a host of characters from a small New England fishing village. Notable songs include “If I Loved You,” “June is Bustin’ Out All Over,” “What’s the Use of Wond’rin’ and “You’ll Never Walk Alone".

In this production Lance Bordelon (Billy) and Shelby Runyan (Julie) carried off their difficult lead roles with distinction. Bigelow’s “Soliloquy” was impressively mature. Ashley Lopez, as Carrie Pipperidge, was outstanding in voice, characterization, and comedic style. Andy Best, as Enoch Snow, Sr., was suitably dour. Jason Petitjean, who had a host of jobs in the show (as did much of the cast) was particularly effective with his deep bass voice in song and lilting Irish accent as the star keeper. Parker Guidry (Jigger Craigin) is the “bad guy” of the plot. But his performance was anything but bad. In all his time on the stage, from the opening “Carousel Waltz” to his final appearance he oozed malevolence. In song, in dance, in attitude, he provided motivation for the eventual actions of Bigelow. High school senior Allison Schilhab played the very adult role of Mrs. Mullin convincingly while high school freshman Brittany Monaghan as cousin Nettie Fowler was Bustin’ Out each time she sang! Keep it up! Aside from these eight, there were twenty-six others in the cast. They too were excellent, versatile, and with so much time on stage were always in character.

Some mention must be made of many of the wonderful production values of this show. The choral singing, of which there is a lot, was of concert quality. Music director Margaret Kresse is to be congratulated. Marcus McCullough conducted an eighteen piece orchestra that never overpowered the show.

Great choreography by Matt Couvillion, well known in Acadiana dance circles, filled the stage. Bravo (yet again) for your work! There are three major dance sequences in Carousel - the opening “Carousel Waltz”, the “Blow High, Blow Low” sailors’ dance, and the “Beach Ballet.” Done on a difficult stage configuration, the movements were fresh and vital. The “Beach Ballet” was particularly well done and created real emotion to drive the play to its conclusion. Rodgers and Hammerstein first effectively integrated ballet into a Broadway musical in Oklahoma! In Carousel they continued their fine work. Couvillion and his dancers did it justice.

A final accolade must be given to Margaret Kresse, Director and Musical Director of this show, as well as heart and soul of the St. Mary summer musical program. Retiring after this show, she has done much for youth theater in Acadiana. Through her efforts (each play taking something like nine months to stage) she has contributed mightily to building theater for the future. She will be sorely missed.
--Donald "Doc" Voorhies