“If there was ever a time that theatre was needed, it’s now,” says Lindsey Brunelle ’23. “Sometimes we need to just get lost in the magic of theatre.”

Brunelle was among the Plymouth State students and alumni who joined with community and professional actors and local children in the recent Educational Theatre Collaborative (ETC) production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel. The success of the beloved musical on a compressed production schedule was a testament to everyone’s talents, determination, and enthusiasm for the resumption of live performing arts.

“The rehearsal process was very brisk, but I loved every moment of it,” says Emily Trubey ’21. “I felt that the incredible work ethic, kindness, and compassion of our cast made it one of the most rewarding and special experiences I have had.”

Students brought a wide range of prior PSU theatrical experiences to the task, from the portrayal of the fussbudget Lucy by Emma Molloy ’23 in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown to Brunelle’s depiction of Siobhan, the empathetic teacher of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. Carousel, distinguished by its well-known and uplifting anthem, “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” was an accomplishment that went well beyond individual efforts.

“Carousel is one of my favorite musicals and its message of hope felt most appropriate for our present time,” says ETC’s Artistic Director and Co-Founder Professor Trish Lindberg, who directed the play.

ETC was founded in 1994 and its most recent production broke new ground with its safe rehearsals and shows on the stage of Plymouth’s Flying Monkey Performance Center.

“I really enjoyed the more intimate stage and place,” says Trubey. “It somehow felt really right for Carousel and it made for a new performing adventure.”

“I’m truly impressed by the work that we did,” says Brunelle, who was in dance rehearsals with choreographer Gustavo Wons for four to six hours daily. “My body was so sore and I left exhausted every day, but I also left smiling and happy that I was able to dance again. Because of the pandemic, it’s been about three years now since I’ve been able to dance on stage in front of a live audience.”

The company’s esprit de corps helped newcomers quickly fit their place in the University community. “Carousel was my first production of Plymouth State and I’ve got to say it was a great start,” says Bailey Carmody ’25. “Not being from this area, I didn’t really know what the theatre scene was like here, so let me just say they took me in with open arms. The cast was super talented and did not hesitate to help me anytime I needed it. I’m proud of what we accomplished and I look forward to spending the rest of my four years of college here. It made it feel a little more like home!”

“Working with the PSU students and the Plymouth community members on Carousel was a wonderfully uplifting experience,” says Lindberg. “The adage, ‘The show must go on’ has never felt as real to me. Together, we brought this timeless musical to life on an old vaudevillian stage amidst a pandemic. The strength of the human spirit never ceases to amaze me.”

“I am so, so thrilled that live performances have been able to come back,” adds Molloy. “I’m incredibly thankful to have been involved with such a brave cast and crew who stopped at nothing to make this work.”