Serenbe Playhouse Re-imagines "Carousel"

Serenbe Playhouse has brought more than a re-imagined 1945 Rodgers & Hammerstein's musical play to sold out audiences, it's staging Carousel AND a full, participatory country fair...all outdoors!

This was my first Serenbe Playhouse performance—definitely not my last—and the third Serenbe Playhouse performance my friend and co-theater-goer Nikki had attended—certainly not her last, either.  

Carousel | Serenbe Playhouse | Photo: BreeAnne Clowdus

Carousel reunites many of Serenbe Playhouse's 2014 Oklahoma! cast members including Kelly Martin as Julie Jordan, Edward McCreary as Billy Bigelow, Jessica Miesel as Carrie, Austin Tijerina as Jigger, Lala Cochran as Mrs. Mullins and Starkeeper, Ally Duncan as Nettie, Brittany Ellis as Louise, Nathan Lubeck as Carnival Boy...and many other incredibly talented actors—this show has a large cast!

It was exciting to see some of my favorite Atlanta actors in the show—Lala Cochran, Edward McCreary and Austin Tijerina—each of whom I've seen in other shows over the last couple of years.

Lala plays a more serious character from what I've seen her play before and acts unrequited love emotional and heartfelt; Edward plays a wholly conflicted character and is as sexy as ever; and Austin plays a zero-morals-bad-guy all too convincingly, but still a favorite character. I'm constantly blown away by the magnitude of talent we have in the Atlanta area! 

Carousel | Serenbe Playhouse | Photo: BreeAnne Clowdus

Others whose performances I've enjoyed previously include lead actress Kelly Chapin Martin (Julie Jordan), who plays mutual love interest—and more—to "Barker" Billy Bigelow; and Daniel Burns (Enoch Snow) who plays the love interest of Julie's best friend, Carrie.

I refuse to pick favorites from this cast—they're all stellar—but I will share that I thoroughly enjoyed the singing talents of Kelly Chapin Martin and Jessica Miesel (Carrie), who sing quite differently, but are strong and harmonious, wholly delightful on the ear...I could listen to both with "replay song" on for weeks! 

Carousel | Serenbe Playhouse | Photo: BreeAnne Clowdus

Arrive early! One hour before the show, for your like-a-kid enjoyment there's a country fair, with a 47-foot Ferris wheel and a 16-seat carousel, both of which are this musical's backdrop, along with tent lights and the evening stars. The few planes flying over, which I didn't even hear, were likened to shooting stars. 

Also at the fair are games, cotton candy and other goodies, a high-striker (Show off your strength, if you can lift the giant mallet!) a full bar and turn-of-the-century carnival characters, from the show, interacting with guests!  

Carousel | Serenbe Playhouse | Photo: BreeAnne Clowdus

If you've never been to Serenbe Playhouse, I encourage you to know what you're getting into, in addition to theatrical splendor, that is.

All of Serenbe Playhouse's shows are outdoors, rain or shine, and they're site specific, and at some of the shows you even walk within the site! Be sure to familiarize yourself with each show's specific details, and give yourself plenty to time to find the site of the show you're attending. [10 Things to Know]

Carousel | Serenbe Playhouse | Photo: BreeAnne Clowdus

The music at Carousel is performed live, from just behind the carousel! I'd seen Carousel many, many, many years ago, and recognized almost every song from the second act. You too probably know more Rodgers & Hammerstein's music than you realize, but when was the last time you saw any of it performed at a live country fair?

While I've written here about the acting, singing and setting, the story is quite a remarkable one. It was Rodgers & Hammerstein's second musical play. Some elements speak to another time, some are timeless, all are touching.

Oh, and you get to partake in the country fair's offerings again during the generous intermission! It's a full evening, and I think you're going to enjoy every minute of it!

Carousel | Serenbe Playhouse | Photo: BreeAnne Clowdus

I've been to the Serenbe community near Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia—not too far outside of Atlanta—many times, primarily for Les Dames d'Escoffier International-Atlanta Chapter's annual "Afternoon in the Country" event. I'm grateful to Serenbe Playhouse for treating me to my first Serenbe performing arts event!

I don't have to predict how spectacularly this Carousel run will do...the many sold-out performances speak for themselves. But if you need a push or nudge toward whether or not to go, I say to first get your tickets—well before the show closes on April 10—then check out their Facebook page for some production photos and other fun content. 

Then...get yourself to the fair AND see one of the best shows of the season!

Zoo in the winter? Of course!

I went with Mary Jo and the guys to Zoo Atlanta last weekend. This was our return visit after a "mini visit" in May of this year. It was cold, but it warmed up to be a beautiful day and although all the animals weren't out—which is never a guarantee, of course—the ones we saw were great fun! And we had the opportunity to speak with more zoo staff than we usually would have.

Zoo Atlanta, with MJ and The Guys

The statue of the world-famous Willie B. is a fantastic photo-op for family photos, as in the one above of Mary Jo and the guys. We've taken advantage of this opportunity more than once.

We were at Zoo Atlanta courtesy of Where Atlanta. Earlier this year I entered a photo contest and won tickets to see The Lion King at The Fox Theatre. 

I thought that was the extent of my prize, but when the tickets arrived, there were also four tickets to Zoo Atlanta and a gift card to Hard Rock Cafe, which we enjoyed after our visit to the zoo on this particular visit. The guys had never been to Hard Rock, which made it even more fun. "Thank you," Where Atlanta!

I also want to give an extra shout-out to Zoo Atlanta for making this trip extra special. When we visited in May, we arrived in the afternoon, shortly before the zoo was closing early for a special event. One of the zoo staff heard the disappointment in the guys' voices (they weren't complaining, just a little deflated that we wouldn't be able to get in a full visit, if we stayed at all). She kindly invited us in with the tickets we had to enjoy as much of the zoo as we could fit in and then gave us tickets to return later...that's what this visit was. "Thank you!" Zoo Atlanta!

Zoo Atlanta, with MJ and The Guys

They guys very much enjoy the World of Reptiles, so that was a highlight of the visit. I had the pleasure of sharing with them the news of Scaly Slimy Spectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience, a new structure and animal home at Zoo Atlanta scheduled to open in late 2015. We saw the top of the under-construction building off in the distance when at the African Savanna habitat.

With the neighboring Cyclorama painting moving to the Atlanta History Center and Zoo Atlanta taking over and transforming the Cyclorama Building into a special events facility, as well as renovating the Savanna Exhibit, there's a LOT going on at Zoo Atlanta!

Zoo Atlanta, with MJ and The Guys

Kam was a super-fun this trip! Sometimes camera-shy, he was a ham for the camera on this particular visit, which is always fun. 

I was quite impressed with the guys' knowledge of amphibians. I thought a trip to the zoo would be an educational experience for the guys, and it was, but it was also a wonderful educational experience for me. These guys are smart!

Zoo Atlanta, with MJ and The Guys

With some of the animals not on view—nestled warmly in their indoor quarters—you pay more attention to the magnificent art throughout of zoo. You realize there's quite a lot of art at the zoo when you take the time to look around, and there's more than statuary, so keep your eyes peeled.

Zoo Atlanta, with MJ and The Guys

We knew it was going to be a cold day, but not as cold as the Saturday two weeks before when we were going to be there (the winds were torrential that day!). But there are plenty of habitats that are indoors—and heated—to break up being in the elements.

One of the more cool indoor diversions was a discussion with a Zoo Atlanta keeper who showed and told us all about the Blue-Tongue Skink. They're awesome! And we got to see its blue tongue. It really is blue...and not just because it was cold. 

Its blue tongue is a defense mechanism. Think about it. Not many things in nature are blue. When threatened, the Blue-Tongue Skink will flash its blue tongue, which startles a number of predators. We learned a lot from the keeper, who was highly knowledgeable and super nice.

Zoo Atlanta, with MJ and The Guys

Many visitors don't realize the size of Zoo Atlanta's reptile collection. There are more than 450 at the zoo, but many are not on exhibit because of space limitations. The new reptile and amphibian complex will be home to many of those, as well as large crocodilians and other new arrivals. 

The complex will also feature "interactive indoor venues and state-of-the-art exhibits showcasing the amazing extremes in size, speed, color and behavior that make reptiles and amphibians such compelling animals to observe, study, and protect."

Zoo Atlanta, with MJ and The Guys

As one who dabbles in Graphic Design—and my minor in college—I love when museums and attractions make the most of details. All throughout the Zoo the sidewalks are stamped with leaves. The sidewalks near the panda habitat, pictured above, are stamped with bamboo.

Zoo Atlanta, with MJ and The Guys

Mary Jo is one of my dearest and longest friends. We've been through a lot together and we're those kinds of friends who can go a long time without seeing each other—like the years I lived in Washington, DC—and pick right up where we left off. 

Zach made this photo of us (above). He's a promising photographer, don't you think? 

Zoo Atlanta, with MJ and The Guys

It was the middle of November when we went, which can be cold in Atlanta, but it's undoubtedly a beautiful time of year. The above photo was made just outside the gorilla habitat.

The gorillas and orangutans weren't on view...not until later, after the temperatures surpass 40 degrees, at least (I believe that's what I remember them saying about the orangutans). Good to know that they're cognizant of the animals' sensitivities to temperatures.

The bears and pandas were, of course, out in their habitats. The pandas were delightfully playful, but the bear (the one we saw) was lazing around sunning himself atop one of his climbing structures. I didn't blame him on bit!

Zoo Atlanta, with MJ and The Guys

I'm a kid again when it comes to things like carousels. I've not rode one in many years, but I've long admired their beauty and how much fun they bring to those who do ride.

Zoo Atlanta's carousel, The Nabisco Endangered Species Carousel, features 38 hand-carved, festive animal mounts and seats, I believe unique among carousels. 

If you're a fan of carousels, specifically carousel horses, I invite you to check out "Flying Horses: The Golden Age of American Carousel Art", written by Peter J. Malia, a colleague from my years on Washington, DC. It's a gorgeous hardcover book and a must-have for any carousel horse enthusiast.

I'd like to offer another "Thank you!" to Where Atlanta for the tickets and gift card—the contest and experiences were great fun! And a "Thank you!" to Zoo Atlanta for making our visits such great fun, as well. I'll be back again and again!

ATLANTApix: Riverview Carousel

The Riverview Carousel

The Six Flags Carousel, widely known as The Riverview Carousel, is one of only a few Five-abreast carousels in the world.

Originally built in 1908 for the grand opening of Riverview Park in Chicago, Illinois, the carousel includes 70 wooden horses, four of King Arthur's armored horses (the ones I always try to ride when I visit Six Flags), and four gondolas, also called "Lovers' Chariots."

ATLANTApix and ATLANTAvidz of the tourATLANTA blog features a daily photo or video relative to Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!