New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
‘Carousel: A Concert’ to raise domestic violence awareness
The New Paradigm Theatre and the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra could easily put on a lavish show with beautiful sets and elegant music, but instead they choose to use the arts to connect with the community for good causes.
The two organizations are again teaming up for a one-night-only production that will be partnering with a domestic violence organization.
The groups will present their annual February concert version of a classic Broadway show on Saturday, Feb. 11, at 7:30 p.m. Turning to Rodgers and Hammstein for inspiration, they will perform “Carousel: A Concert.”
While the show’s music is perennially popular, with favorites like “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” “If I Loved You,” “Clam Bake” and “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over,” this show is not a typical bubbly musical but has darker themes, with domestic violence at its center.
That doesn’t give New Paradigm Theatre director Kristin Huffman pause, though.
“A lot of companies want to put on beautiful aesthetic performances. We are just trying to say that if we want this art form to keep going, after COVID especially, we’ve got to find a way to hit the millennials and below, because they want to make a difference,” she said. “Let’s show them that the arts make a difference, not just perform something pretty.”
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Carousel” revolves around Julie and Billy, a couple who find it difficult to share their feelings for each other. When both characters lose their jobs to be with the other person, escalated tensions lead Billy to hit Julie. In addition to domestic violence the show also deals with gambling, murder plots and suicide.
For each of its shows, New Paradigm Theatre partners with a community organization, and for this concert the organizations are leaning into the subject matter by teaming up with the Domestic Violence Crisis Center based in Norwalk and Stamford to not only educate and be a resource for the cast but the audience too.
“I want my actors to have consultants on hand who see this on a daily basis,” Huffman said, adding that she wants the audience to know that if they experience this, the Domestic Violence Crisis Center can help.
Facing head-on the issues of domestic abuse, rather than hiding it, is a new approach for staging “Carousel,” which opened on Broadway in 1945, but Huffman believes it’s the ideal way to responsibly present the show to modern audiences.
Working with social justice partners, whose messaging echoes the show’s themes, became an even more critical mission for the theater and symphony after COVID lockdowns forced the temporary closures of many theaters.
Leaning into controversial subject matter as in “Carousel,” rather than shying away from it, Huffman said they are using arts to connect to the community in meaningful ways.
“Since I’m directing it, I’m going to make it a very real presentation. It’s definitely not going to be over-the-top and slapsticky,” she said, adding that Rodgers and Hammerstein often had serious themes in their shows.
“I think it’s OK to lean into that nowadays. I think people expect you to. I am hoping that that will draw people back [into theaters] and realize how relevant the arts are.”
Sandra Miklave, executive director of the Norwalk Symphony, seconded her comments. “Making these relevant connections to and with our community uplifts us all,” she said. “We are honored to spotlight an organization actively working to combat injustice and raise the awareness of our audiences through our programming.”
Despite its controversial subject matter, Huffman said the show has a score she is eager to present. Audiences can expect “gorgeous music and a very real approach to the show that makes it relevant for their sensibilities today,” she said.
“I think in the end, audiences will see a very ‘real’ version of this show and how it applies to their real world, and then be swept away by the gorgeous score played by the orchestra. And if they end up needing help, or if someone they know needs help in an abusive situation, they also know where they can go for this help in our community.”
For information about DVCC, visit dvcct.org or the center’s 24-hour hotline can be reached at 203-588-9097.