Betsy Wolfe and more will join the cast of Carousel

Producers Scott Rudin and Roy Furman have announced additional casting, new dates and a theatre for the upcoming Broadway revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Carousel. Contrary to a previously announced opening date of March 23, 2018, the new production will now officially open on April 12, 2018, with previews beginning on February 28, at Broadway's Imperial Theatre.

In addition, it has been announced that Broadway alumni Betsy Wolfe will star as Carrie Pipperidge, Alexander Gemignani as Enoch Snow and Margaret Colin as Mrs. Mullins. They join previously announced principal cast members Tony Award winner Jessie Mueller (as Julie Jordan), two-time Tony nominee Joshua Henry (as Billy Bigelow), Renée Fleming as Nettie Fowler, Amar Ramasar (as Jigger) and Brittany Pollack (as Louise). Additional casting will be announced shortly.

The ensemble will feature Colin Anderson, Yesenia Ayala, Nicholas Belton, Colin Bradbury, Andrei Chagas, Leigh-Ann Esty, Laura Feig, David Michael Garry, Garett Hawe, Rosena M. Hill Jackson, Amy Justman, Jess LeProtto, Skye Mattox, Adriana Pierce, David Prottas, Craig Salstein, Ahmad Simmons, Antoine L. Smith, Corey John Snide, Erica Spyres, Ryan Steele, Sam Strasfeld, Ricky Ubeda, Scarlett Walker, Jacob Keith Watson, and William Youmans.

This new production of Carousel is directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien and choreographed by Justin Peck.

Synopsis: "Set in a New England mill town, Carousel tells the tragic tale of romance between carnival barker Billy Bigelow and factory-worker Julie Jordan. The score consists of such musical theatre standards as "If I Loved You," "June Is Bustin' Out All Over" and "You'll Never Walk Alone.""

The musical first premiered on Broadway in 1945 and has since enjoyed a total of four Broadway revivals. It was last staged on the Great White Way by Lincoln Center Theater in 1994, picking up five Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical.

The creative team for this production of Carousel features musical supervision and direction by Andy Einhorn, orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick, scenic design by Santo Loquasto, costume design by Ann Roth, lighting design by Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer, and sound design by Scott Lehrer.

Jessie Mueller won a Tony Award in 2014 for her portrayal of Carole King in 'Beautiful - The Carole King Musical.' She also earned Tony nominations for 'On a Clear Day You Can See Forever' in 2012 and for 'Waitress' in 2016. Her other Broadway credits include 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood' and 'Nice Work If You Can Get It.'

Joshua Henry earned Tony nominations for his performances in 'Violet' in 2014 and in 'The Scottsboro Boys' in 2011. He was last seen on Broadway as Noble Sissle in the 2016 production of 'Shuffle Along, Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed.' His other Broadway credits include 'Bring It On The Musical,' 'The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess,' Green Day's 'American Idiot,' and Lin-Manuel Miranda's 'In the Heights.'

Renée Fleming made her Broadway debut in the comedy 'Living On Love' in 2015. She is known as one of America's most acclaimed singers. In 2013, the President awarded her America's highest honour for an individual artist, the National Medal of Arts. She was the first classical singer ever to perform "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the Super Bowl. Winner of the 2013 Best Classical Vocal Grammy Award, she has sung at momentous occasions around the world - from the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony to the Diamond Jubilee Concert for Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.

- by Tom Millward