'Carousel' opening night draws an audience of nearly 300

The Southeast Missouri State University Department of Theatre and Dance opened its five-day run of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "Carousel" Wednesday to a crowd of almost 300. Box office worker Jennifer Karnes said a crowd of that size is consistent with other Southeast productions.

"This is about average for an opening night. The crowds will go up as the show continues to run. By the close, attendance will increase by 100 or 200 people," Karnes said.

Known as one of Rodgers and Hammerstein's darker musicals, "Carousel" features imperfect characters living, loving and struggling in a New England fishing village during the Industrial Revolution. The show contains several well-known songs, including "If I Loved You," "June is Bustin' Out All Over" and "You'll Never Walk Alone."

For audience member Pete Statler of Jackson, the show was filled with too many good songs to name a favorite.

"It has been nice, very nice. I really enjoy it. There are three or four very good tunes. It is hard to pick one favorite," he said.

Statler said he attended the department's fall musical, "Little Shop of Horrors," and also attends some of the traveling productions that come to the River Campus. Even though the university's productions feature students, Statler said they hold their own against the professional tours.

"They're doing pretty darn good, better than I expected," he said. For Statler, events like "Carousel" present an opportunity to showcase the talent in the area and at Southeast.

"It is a matter of pride in the community, that the community can produce and support a show like that," he said.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Carousel," a production of Southeast Missouri State University's Department of Theatre and Dance, opened Wednesday at the Bedell Peformance Hall on the River Campus. The performance features guest director Dennis Courtney from New York City. The show runs through Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. (LAURA SIMON)

Jim Dufek of Cape Girardeau agreed that the university's productions were a great asset to the community.

"I am always impressed with the performances of the university," he said. "I work at the university and I have always been a big fan of what they do. We can see the same things here that they see in St. Louis. The quality of the productions and this facility are amazing."

For Dufek, the highlight of the show came at the end of the first act when the character of Billy Bigelow, played by Cody Hoyer, performed "Soliloquy."

"That was a magnificent song. I was amazed that he could memorize all that and project and have all the inflection and the emotion. He did an amazing job," Dufek said.

"Carousel" will be at Bedell Performance Hall on the River Campus at 7:30 p.m. tonight, Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are available by calling the River Campus box office at 573-651-2265.