Rodgers & Hammerstein's Carousel - Live in Tulsa

Step into the golden age of musical theatre with Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel, performed live in the Will Rogers Auditorium, Tulsa. Presented in collaboration with the Tulsa Ballet’s Center for Dance Education, this one-time event blends iconic Broadway melodies with mesmerizing choreography. Whether you're a fan of classic musicals, ballet, or live theatre in Tulsa, this is an unforgettable experience. 

Six classically trained opera soloists will collaborate with members of the Tulsa Ballet’s Center for Dance Education to perform Carousel, a 1945 musical by Rodgers & Hammerstein, on the historic Will Rogers Stage at 3909 East 5th Place in Tulsa, Sunday, October 19, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. This event is produced by the nonprofit Will Rogers Stage Foundation.

The cast will be headed by American baritone Robert Mellon playing Billy Bigelow and Abigail Raiford, a renowned lyric coloratura soprano, as Julie Jordan. Mellon has been praised not only for his "glorious voice that bursts out brimming with life and vigor,” but also for having "immense skill as an actor." He has performed in numerous opera houses across the country to much acclaim, including his Taddeo in the 2022 Tulsa Opera production of Rossini’s The Italian Girl in Algiers.

Raiford also earned acclaim in the same production for her "powerful, luxurious soprano voice" and her "wonderfully comic" portrayal of Elvira. She was a runner-up this year in the prestigious Laffont Competition of the Metropolitan Opera and debuted at Carnegie Hall. She was raised in Tulsa by two opera performers who had careers in New York. “Abby’s mother, Judy Raiford, heads the University of Tulsa music department and was her mentor. This is a homecoming for Abby,” says Dick Risk, the show’s producer.

From left: Robert Mellon (Billy Bigelow), Abigail Raiford (Julie Jordan), Sam Briggs (Enoch Snow), Margaret Stall (Carrie Pipperidge), Christiaan Bester (Jigger Craigin), Maddie Breedlove (Nettie Fowler)

The cast also includes several local performers who are known to Tulsa audiences: Sam Briggs (as Enoch Snow), Margaret Stall (Carrie Pipperidge), Christiaan Bester (Jigger Craigin) and Maddie Breedlove (Nettie Fowler).

Cathy Venable, who spent more than a decade in New York as a pit musician and conductor on Broadway, is music director and will conduct the 34-piece Will Rogers Stage Orchestra. Venable explains, "the Will Rogers Stage production of Carousel gives our audience the unique opportunity to hear this glorious music the way it was originally intended to be performed and enjoyed, with a live orchestra presenting the full orchestration, supporting our singing artists."

From left: Sarah Clemmens (Mrs. Mullin), David Curry (Mr. Bascombe), Gloria Friend (Louise Bigelow), Jaylynn Autry (Ballet Louise), Jose Cuevas (Ballet Carnival Boy), Paxton Schuster (Enoch Snow Jr.), Aubree Esau (Miss Snow)

“We are excited to incorporate the Carousel ballet performed by an ensemble from the acclaimed Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education,” Risk says. Lauren Richter, director of the center, will produce the ballet set to the music in the score, which Agnes DeMille choreographed for the original 1945 production. She trained in New York with American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, and in Monte Carlo at the Princess Grace Academy of Classical Dance.

Matteo Giulio Tonolo, originally from Moncalieri, Italy, will choreograph the ballet. Several original roles were created on him. His touring experience includes performances across Europe, the United States, and China. An ensemble from the center will appear as members of a touring carnival troupe: gypsy dancers, Arabian dancers, Chinese acrobats, and strong men. Jaelynn Autry will be featured as Louise Bigelow and Jose Maria Herrera Cuevas as the lead male dancer.

Gloria Friend plays Louise’s non-dancing counterpart. Paxton Schuster is Enoch Snow junior, and Aubree Esau is his younger sister. All three are local area students with acting and singing experience.

From left: Dick Risk (Executive Producer), Cathy Venable (Music Director - Conductor), Ben Robinson (Stage Director), Topher Stephens (Stage Manager), Loren Richter (Ballet Director), Matteo Tonolo (Choreographer)

Stage director Ben Robinson heads three arts organizations including Anchorage Opera. He has been recognized for his creative approach to his productions.

Risk adds, “Because of our relatively small, historic 1939 stage, we could not have accommodated our orchestra, chorus, and soloists—plus a ballet. So, we moved the 34-piece orchestra in front of the stage, fully visible to the audience, making room for the ballet. We define our scenes with artwork projected onto a cyclorama. Carousel is our most ambitious production to date. We hope its success will repeat itself as we bring other Golden Era musicals to life.”

Carousel was named the Best Musical of the Twentieth Century by TIME Magazine. All seats are reserved. Tickets are available online at WillRogersStage.com.

“[The infamous bench scene from Carousel was] probably the singular most important moment in the evolution of contemporary musicals.”
—Stephen Sondheim
Composer and Lyricist

"The Will Rogers Stage production of Carousel gives our audience the unique opportunity to hear this glorious music the way it was originally intended to be performed and enjoyed, with a live orchestra presenting the full orchestration, supporting our singing artists."
—Cathy Venable, Music Director / Conductor
Will Rogers Stage Orchestra

“We are delighted to collaborate with Tulsa Ballet, a world-class company, which is creating a ballet for our production through its acclaimed Center for Dance Education featuring an ensemble of trainees, who are seeking a professional career in dance.”
—Dick Risk, Executive Producer
Will Rogers Stage Foundation

In 1999, TIME magazine, in its “Best of the Century” list, named Carousel the Best Musical of the 20th century, writing that Rodgers and Hammerstein “set the standards for the 20th century musical, and this show features their most beautiful score and the most skillful and affecting example of their musical storytelling.”
—TIME Magazine
Best of the Century List

“Even if you didn’t know the English language, even if you were from another planet — even if you were from the stars –— you would know exactly what was happening. And that is the emotional truth and storytelling genius of Rodgers & Hammerstein.”
—Laurence Maslon, Arts Professor
New York University's Tisch School of the Arts

“Collectively, the Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals have earned Tony, Oscar, GRAMMY, Emmy, Pulitzer and Olivier Awards!”
—Rodgers & Hammerstein
A Concord Company

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Note: This is a full version of the classic Broadway musical. The primary focus is on the musical numbers. The principals will be in costume and the cast will move on and off the stage. The set will be projected. Despite the minimal staging, the performers still act out the emotions of the script. Music will be performed by classically trained soloists and a full professional orchestra and chorus. The ballet integral to the story will be performed live, accompanied by the orchestra. 

Attendees are advised that face masks are not required, unless mandated by civil authority, but are strongly encouraged for the safety of others. Nor will social distancing, proof of COVID vaccine or recent negative COVID test results be required. Attendees hereby acknowledge the dangers from the spread of COVID-19 and other airborne sickness and assume the risks of entering this venue for this performance.

Smoking including vaping, alcohol consumption, weapons, and drugs are prohibited.

The videotaping or making of electronic or other audio and/or visual recordings of this production and distributing recordings or streams in any medium, including the Internet, is strictly prohibited, a violation of the authors' rights and actionable under United States copyright law. For more information, please visit:
https://concordtheatricals.com/resources/protecting-artists


The orchestra will be positioned in front of the stage, level with orchestra seating, between the stage and the front row seats in the Orchestra section. The orchestra pit will be separated from the audience by a 3-foot high curtained stanchion. Seats in the center of the first couple of rows (B and C) may be partially obstructed due to the conductor being stationed in front of those seats.

We add service fees and credit card fees to the ticket price. There is no sales tax as we are exempt. This is a great value for professional musicians performing a Broadway classic from the "Golden Era" by one of America's most beloved musical theatre collaborators, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.

Enjoy this wonderful production in Tulsa's historic Will Rogers auditorium, an Art Deco masterpiece on the National Register of Historic Places. This environment is smoke-free, alcohol-free, drug-free, weapon-free, and offers free parking.

Prices range from $30 to $75. Tickets are $30, for a handicapped person. If the handicapped person will be in a wheelchair, the ticket includes admission for a companion seated next to the wheelchair.

PRODUCTION: Dick Risk, Executive Producer; Cathy Venable, Music Director; Ben Robinson, Stage Director; Lauren Richter, Ballet Director

This production is licensed on behalf of R&H Theatricals by Concord Theatricals, 250 W. 57th Street, New York, NY 10107. 

ALL SEATS RESERVED - TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLY ON-LINE - MUST HAVE TICKET TO ENTER

The Will Rogers Stage Foundation, Inc., is organized under the provisions of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act and operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, as set forth in its articles of incorporation and within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The foundation is also organized pursuant to 70 O.S. § 5-145, which encourages the formation of “local foundations” as supplements to basic school district programs publicly funded. The foundation is registered with the Oklahoma Secretary of State pursuant to the Oklahoma Solicitation of Charitable Contributions Act, Title 18, Section 552.1a of the Oklahoma Statutes. EIN: 88-2246506.

Corporate address: 2840 East 51st Street, Suite 205, Tulsa, OK 74105. 

Richard B. Risk, JD, President
Robert A. Risk, Vice President
James R. Adelman, EA, Secretary-Treasurer

RETURN TO WILL ROGERS STAGE WEBSITE  www.WillRogersStage.com

TICKETS ON SALE SEPTEMBER 1, 2025 - No access code will be needed