arrow_downarrow_leftarrow_rightarrow_upbookmarkArtboard 6bubbleicon_arrow_lefticon_birdicon_calicon_facebookicon_mailicon_searchicon_twittericon_websiteicon-emailicon-facebookicon-ldicon-twitterArtboard 6review_countsigthumbs_downthumbs_uptop_allArtboard 6top_yearw-negw-nonew-nutw-pos
Rodgers & Hammerstein's

Carousel

May 5th - October 16thAvon TheatreTicket Info
Generally Positive Reviews based on 10 Critics
10 Reviews
Comments

Traditional arts journalism is in decline. Now more than ever, this independent website and our podcast fill a growing void. We've had over 1.5 million page views, and are grateful that you are here. We rely on readers — and a handful of advertisers who share our values — to make our work possible. When we raised funds for our podcast, The "Performers Podcast," the average donation from people like you was $96. Now we hope you’ll join us in augmenting our coverage of arts in the region by making a one-time donation today.

Founder Stratford Festival Reviews
Donate Now
This is a listing for the 2015 season. For the current 2024 shows click here.

The Hamilton Spectator - Gary Smith

Stratford's Carousel: Gordon sings...

“Everything works. Jonathan Winsby is a full-throttle Billy, singing with the soul and fire of a man dazed by the notion of real love. Alexis Gordon is his Julie and she has the fragile, oh so vulnerable spirit of a woman who loves with every beat of her heart…You owe it to yourself to experience what it means to laugh, cry, and believe in love. This one is glorious in every way.”

Read Full Review06/12/2015

The National Post - Robert Cushman

Carousel Makes the Pulse Race

Robert Cushman covers Stratford’s “Carousel” and “The Sound of Music” in this review. “The singing throughout is in fact the best I remember in any Stratford musical, as befits this show’s exceptionally rich score. Every song is a beauty, from the sly and joyous “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over” down to an apparent throwaway like the mocking “Stonecutter Cut It on Stone.”

Read Full Review06/05/2015

The Globe and Mail - J. Kelly Nestruck

Carousel: as incompetent as it is...

“The only real, human emotion in the evening is to be found in Gordon’s heartfelt, sweet and simple performance as Julie. Her performance of “What’s the Use of Wond’rin’” is gorgeous and wrenching.”

Read Full Review06/04/2015

The Beacon Herald - Bruce Urquhart

Less than the sum of its parts

“The performances are buoyed by the magnificent sets by designer Douglas Paraschuk. The opening pantomime — a wordless introduction to Billy Bigelow and the carnival — culminates with the eponymous Carousel, a dazzling, glittering merry-go-round of crystal and flying horses.”

Read Full Review06/01/2015

Broadway World - Lauren Gienow

Carousel - A moving story

“Carousel may be controversial, but there should be no controversy as to whether or not this production of it rises to the challenge. The direction is thoughtful, the cast is brilliant, and the story, even if flawed, is an important part of a bigger discussion.”

Read Full Review06/01/2015

Capital Critics Circle - Jamie Portman

A rich romance

“If I Loved You couldn’t be better served by Gordon’s soaring, confident soprano, coupled with a luminous awareness of character.
Winsby…contributes splendidly to the powerful vocal chemistry that the song demands.”

Read Full Review05/31/2015

James Wegg Review - James Wegg

Rodgers and Hammerstein book is an issue

“Best of show were Alexis Gordon’s vibrant soprano as Julie Jordan and Alana Hibbert’s riveting, impressive control playing Nettie Fowler…Michael Lichtefeld’s choreography was inventive and engaging at nearly every turn….the weakest link is the narrative.”

Read Full Review05/30/2015

Examiner.com - Christina Strynatka

Impressive design

“Scenes were designed by Douglas Paraschuk as though he was on an unlimited budget, with trees dropping down from the rafters; dry ice and bushes of cattail reeds creating a foggy shoreline clambake…and the carousel, with glittery translucent horses and magical light arrangements.”

Read Full Review05/30/2015

The Toronto Star - Richard Ouzounian

Mixed success

“Alexis Gordon is one of those rare performers who can combine sweetness and strength, making her Julie always fascinating to watch…There is nothing terribly wrong with the production of Carousel that opened Friday night at the Avon Theatre, but there is nothing terribly right, either.”

Read Full Review05/30/2015

The Record - Robert Reid

Round and round without getting anywhere

“Schulman gives us a production at the Avon Theatre that seems curiously dated. The result is a period piece without the charm of nostalgia to soften the blows of what we witness transpiring on stage.”

Read Full Review05/30/2015

No Matches for Reviews

Share This Post:

Share This Tweet This Email This