Will Rogers Stage Foundation Presents Rodgers & Hammerstein's Carousel

Opera performers collaborate with Tulsa Ballet to present excerpts from Carousel, Sunday, October 19, 2025

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.

Carousel Features Amazing Cast

Cast members include Robert Mellon playing Billy Bigelow, Abigail Raiford as Julie Jordan, and Ben Robinson. Stage Director.

Raiford 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,” said Richard Risk, president of the Will Rogers Stage Foundation, sponsor of the event. “Mellon appeared recently in a Tulsa Opera production to much acclaim. He has performed in numerous opera houses across the country, singing as many different roles. Ben Robinson directs three arts organizations including Anchorage Opera. He has been recognized for his creative approach to his productions.”

A Creative Favorite

Lauren Richter, director of the Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education, will create the ballet set to the music in the score. Agnes DeMille choreographed the ballet for the original production.

“We also have engaged several local performers who are known to Tulsa audiences: Sam Briggs, Margaret Stall, Christiaan Bester and Maddie Breedlove,” said Risk. “Cathy Venable, who spent more than a decade in New York as a pit musician and conductor on Broadway, is our music director and will conduct the 34-piece Will Rogers Stage Orchestra.”

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