Huntington High School Drama Club Performs 'Carousel'

The l Drama Club presented its opening night performance of Carousel on Friday night.  Performing again on Saturday, the talented cast and crew will perform a lively and professional presentation of the Oscar Hammerstein II story.

Starring in the play were Jonah Kramer as Billy Bigelow and Chelsea Holmes as Julie Jordan.  Other starring roles were Rebecca Deegan as Carrie Pipperidge, Emily Mormile as Mrs. Mullin, Richard Gray as Enoch Snow, Anna Harris as Nettie Fowler and Mikah Feldman-Stein as Jigger Craigin.  Packed with strikingly realistic backdrop scenery, stage props and costumes, the performances wowed everyone in the audience.

Set in 1873, the story tells of two young female millworkers, Julie and Carrie, who visit their town's Carousel.  While there, the barker at the carousel, Billy Bigelow, puts his arm around Julie during one of the rides.  This infuriates the widowed owner of the carousel, Mrs. Mullin, who banishes Julie from ever returning.  Billy comes out and mocks Mrs. Mullin for her actions, in which she fires him for.  The owner of the Mill, Mr. Bascombe, finds Julie and offers to take her back to the mill, but he refuses and is fired as well.  Afterwards, the two go off together and discuss what life would be like if they were in love, while never admitting the growing feelings they for each other.

A month then passes by, which finds Julie and Billy married.  During a conversation between Julie and Carrie, Julie reveals that Billy slapped her.  Carrie is concerned, but is much too happy about her engagement to a gentleman named Enoch Snow.  After Enoch arrives to see Carrie, Billy and his conniving friend Jigger Craigin, arrive to join in on the group.  Eventually Enoch and Carrie are left alone, to which he tells her his aspirations to become wealthy and have a family with her.

Afterwards, Jigger tries to get Billy to go along on a robbery plan, but he declines.  The victim in question is Mr. Bascombe.  Julie then finds Billy and tells him that she is pregnant.  Happy and determined to provide financial security for his wife and newborn child, Billy becomes tempted by Jiggers offer to rob Mr. Bascombe, which will have a high financial reward.  The story then unfolds into a tale of life, death and what matters most in life.

The impressive singing by Anna Harris, Chelsea Holmes and Rebecca Deegan during the songs "A Real Nice Clambake," "You'll Never Walk Alone," and "What's The Use of Wonderin'?" astounded the audience.  The equally impressive singing and dancing by Jonah Kramer and Mikah Feldman-Stein during the songs "The Highest Judge of All" and "Blow High, Blow Low," took everyone by storm.  The ballet sequence featuring Brielle Blatt as Louise (Billy's daughter) and the emotionally driven acting by Chelsea Holmes were top notch performances.

Attending the performance was a veteran actress on Broadway, Joan Roberts.  Announced before the play began, Roberts was the very first actress to play Laurie in the Oscar Hammerstein II famous play, Oklahoma!  She performed the role back in 1943 with famous actors and actresses Celeste Holm, Alfread Drake and Betty Garde.  Having had over a decade of experience with Broadway, Roberts was very impressed with the performance by Huntington High School.  "I think what they are doing here is excellent, it's just wonderful to see young people that are so talented.  I love the singing, it's very subjective and has the classic Hammerstein feel to it."

Jonah Kramer expressed his emotions about the performance:  "I feel bittersweet about this performance, because it is my last here.  I am both honored and humbled to have had the chance to work with the people I have over the past four years."  Kramer is the outgoing president of the drama club, and plans to major in musical theatre in college.  Chelsea Holmes also shared her gratitude for her high school experience in theatre:  "I've throughly enjoyed working with this cast and crew.  I've learned so much during this experience, and i'll never forget it."

 She has participated in NYSSMA and SCMEA, and hopes to participate in All State when eligible.