March 22, 2026 3:00pm
The Emerson Center - 1590 27th Ave, Vero Beach, FL 32960
RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN Carousel
Your Space Coast Symphony Orchestra proudly presents one of the most beloved American musicals of all time—Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel. Voted by Time Magazine as the greatest musical of the 20th century, Carousel remains a towering achievement of American musical theater, revered for its emotional depth, unforgettable melodies, and deeply human storytelling. Celebrating its 80th anniversary, this timeless masterpiece continues to resonate with audiences across generations.
Featuring some of the most cherished songs ever written for the stage — including “If I Loved You” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone” — Carousel weaves a powerful tale of love, redemption, and second chances. Set in a seaside town in Maine, the story follows the passionate but troubled carousel barker Billy Bigelow and the gentle mill worker Julie Jordan, whose love endures beyond hardship, regret, and even death. At its heart, Carousel is a moving exploration of hope, forgiveness, and the belief that it’s never too late to change.
Presented in a rare full symphonic concert production, this performance places the luminous score front and center, allowing Rodgers & Hammerstein’s sweeping melodies and emotional depth to shine as never before. Featuring an all-star cast of vocalists, the esteemed Indialantic Chamber Singers, and the full power of your Space Coast Symphony Orchestra, this special concert presentation brings Carousel to life with thrilling vocal richness and sweeping symphonic color. With limited theatrical elements and the music placed front and center, the focus remains on Rodgers & Hammerstein’s glorious score — lush, powerful, and emotionally stirring from start to finish.
Experience Carousel in all its grandeur, just as its creators intended — a timeless, deeply moving work brought to life by extraordinary voices and full orchestra in a concert event you won’t soon forget.
A timeless story. A legendary score. An unforgettable night of music and emotion.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets are $35 in advance for adults and available through our website or by calling (855) 252-7276. Tickets can be purchased in person at any Marine Bank & Trust location. To find a ticket outlet near you, click here. Tickets at the door are $40. All SCSO concerts are FREE for those aged 18 and under or any college student with a student ID. Discounted tickets are available for all SCSO concerts through the 'Symphony for Everyone' Program. Seats are not assigned and open.
Artist Information
Laura Hodos is a three-time Carbonell Award nominee for her work in Ruthless! at the Hollywood Playhouse, She Loves Me with the Caldwell Theatre Company and Bombshells at Actors’ Playhouse. Recently, Laura was seen in the new Frank Wildhorn musical, Bonnie and Clyde at the Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota, FL and in the premiere production of Jolson at the Winter Garden at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre in Jupiter, FL and the remount in Los Angeles at the historic El Portal Theatre. She has performed all 27 songs as the title character in Always, Patsy Cline at the Penobscot Theatre in Bangor Maine and the Titusville Playhouse in FL. Laura has also been seen haunting American Stage Theatre in their production of Noël Coward’s brilliant comedy, Blithe Spirit, as Elvira, and returned to St. Pete as Sheila in Hair (winner of a “Best of the Bay” award) and Rona Lisa Peretti in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee with American Stage in the Park.
Laura is a frequent performer with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, first as Marian (the Librarian) in The Music Man (a role she reprised with the Jacksonville Symphony), then with talented Michael Andrew in Fly Me To The Moon. She was also the Beggar Woman in OPO’s production of Sweeney Todd, co-starring Faith Prince and Davis Gaines. Regionally, Laura has performed with Seaside Music Theater’s productions of Nine as the wronged wife Luisa, and as the noisy upstairs neighbor Eunice in A Streetcar Named Desire. She went to the Maltz Jupiter Theatre to collaborate with Martin Charnin, Andrea McArdle and Shelly Burch on Charnin’s new show, Love Is Love.
Laura has created seven solo cabaret shows: Noël & Cole, Mad For Menken, Life Upon the Wicked Stage: The Music of Jerome Kern, Hero Worship and Hero Worship II: Songs I’ve Only Attempted in My Shower, and most recently, Never Gonna Get It: Songs From the Roles I’ll Never Play, the Parts I Didn’t Get, and the Shows That Passed Me By! These (along with other duo and group cabaret shows) have been performed at the Winter Park Playhouse, the Orlando Cabaret Festival, freeFall Theatre Company, Orlando Theatre Project, Jester Theatre Company, don’t tell mama (NYC), the Citrus Club of Orlando, as well as benefits and private parties from Maine to Miami! Laura was also thrilled to be first performer to create a solo cabaret show for Walt Disney World as a part of the Disney Event Group and Disney Institute.
A New Jersey native, Laura spent just over a year singing in Tokyo, Japan, has performed at Lincoln Center with Donna Murphy, and at Radio City with Maureen McGovern. A graduate of Dickinson College, where she was the recipient of the Gould Memorial Drama Prize (PA) and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, where she received the Florence Bower Vocal Prize (NYC).
Laura makes her home in Orlando, FL with her husband George Hamrah and cats, Oscar and Percy. Laura is proud member of Actors' Equity Association.
Charles Stevens' career has spanned both New York City and Central Florida, with highlights including working with the band Air Supply on their musical Lost in Love, workshopping the new Adam Guettel and Bob Martin musical Millions, and performing as a solo artist on various NYC cabaret stages. In Central Florida, Charles has worked extensively in both theatre and theme park entertainment. At the parks, he appeared in the Voices of Liberty Candlelight Processional, as Bruce the Shark in Finding Nemo: The Musical, and in the Grinchmas Wholiday Spectacular. On stage, he has been seen as Billy in Once: The Musical, Dan in Snapshots, and Sheriff Green in Desperate Measures. Charles currently serves as the bandleader for The Taylor Swift Tribute Band and as music director for Universal Epic Universe. Many thanks to his wife and kids who support him from home everyday; and to his mom who instilled a love of music in him from a young age. As always, every performance is dedicated to the memory of his father, Raymond Stevens.
Sarah Purser, mezzo-soprano, earned her Master of Arts in Music and Bachelor of Music Education degrees from the University of Central Florida, where she studied vocal performance and conducting. She currently serves as Opera Orlando’s Education Director. A familiar voice in the Central Florida music scene since 2001, Ms. Purser began her professional singing career with the Orlando Opera Company and has since appeared as a soloist with the Orlando Philharmonic, Space Coast Symphony Orchestra, and other ensembles throughout the region. She is a regular member of The Solaria Singers and the Basilica Choir of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe. She is also a founding member of The Helena Collective, an all-women vocal ensemble dedicated to amplifying the female voice through dynamic, narrative-driven programming. Recent performance highlights include the roles of Abby Borden in Lizbeth, Marcelina in The Marriage of Figaro, Tisbe in La Cenerentola, and Jane Seymour in 6/VIII: The Six Wives of Henry VIII, an original production by Opera Orlando and The Helena Collective that won the Critics’ Choice Award at the 2019 Orlando Fringe Festival. She also recently performed Dominick Argento’s From the Diary of Virginia Woolf in recital, continuing her exploration of repertoire that gives voice to complex female narratives.
Andrew LeJeune (Billy Bigelow) is excited to be back onstage with the Space Coast Symphony, having performed in “Best of Broadway” (2019), “The Best of Country Music” (2024), and “Broadway’s Leading Men” (2025). Andrew grew up in North Carolina, and studied Voice with Dr. Joseph Amaya at Appalachian State University. Since moving to Central Florida, some of his favorite theatrical roles have included Curly (Oklahoma, The Athens, 2018), Radames (Aida, Cocoa Village Playhouse, 2017), Frederick Barrett (Titanic, Theatre Winter Haven, 2019), Skip Henderson (Life Could Be a Dream, Winter Park Playhouse, 2017), and Edward Rutledge (1776!, The Alhambra Dinner Theatre, Jacksonville, 2018), and he performed in Mountain Home Christmas (Singer/Actor, Guitar, Percussion) at the Greenbriar Valley Theatre, Lewisburg, WV (2022).
Andrew has performed in a number of Theme park shows as well, including The Untrainable Dragon, Epic Universe (Vocalist), The Blues Brothers, Universal Studios (Elwood Blues), Carolina Roots, Carowinds, Charlotte, NC (singer/guitarist), and as the Singing/Guitar-playing Dinoland Intern at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Additionally, he has sung with a number of Accapella groups, such as The Ragtime Gals and Sing-It, both at Universal Studios, and The Conductors and The Bayside Carolers, both at Seaworld.
Andrew lives in Orlando with his wonderful, incredibly supportive wife Elizabeth, and their amazing daughter Sophie (with whom he hopes to get to perform one day)! Andrew is delighted to be sharing the stage with such an awe-inspiring group of performers! He couldn’t be more excited to play Billy Bigelow, a role he’s wanted to play for many years, and truly hopes you enjoy the show!
Andrew Heidorn is a professional singer, performer, composer, and lyricist based in Central Florida. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from the University of Arizona where he sang in the top vocal ensemble, Symphonic Choir. You can find Andrew performing in various parades and shows across the Walt Disney World Resort, singing in The Untrainable Dragon show at Universal’s EPIC Universe, and you can see his TYA musicals at the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan, NY
Brandon Martin is a performer, composer-lyricist, and musical director based in Orlando. As a director, Martin has staged 42nd Street, Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida; Memphis; Sweet Charity; and Sweeney Todd. As a performer, Martin has starred in various musicals including Route 66, Five Guys Named Moe, Ragtime, Carmen, and West Side Story. Brandon has served as Artistic Director for Florida Theatrical Association’s The FREEDOM Project, which shed a light on Florida’s lesser-known Black History. His show Lenox Ave won “Best Show of the Festival” at 2025 Orlando Fringe. Brandon currently performs at the Walt Disney World Resort with the Voices of Liberty and the Dapper Dans, and at Festival of the Lion King.
Mandi Jo is an actor and singer trained at the UCF Conservatory of Theatre who has traveled the world performing. Mandi Jo was a youth artist at the Bangkok Opera and the Winner of the Grady-Rayam Prize in sacred music. Notable credits include the Asia Premiere of The Secret Silk (Schwartz) and the World Premiere of the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser at Walt Disney World. Mandi Jo is also the executive director of Black Theatre Girl Magic, a non profit on a mission to create a more just and equitable Theatre industry for Black and Brown women. Learn more about inclusion in the arts at www.BlackTheatreGirlMagic.org
Bryan Hayes is a vocalist, songwriter, arranger and composer, with a background ranging many genres including Classical, Jazz, Blues, Soul, R&B, Rock, Pop and more. In 2013 he received bachelor’s degrees from the University of North Florida in the studies of Classical voice and in Jazz Studies, primary instrument voice. He has performed and continues to perform in countless concerts, he has performed major roles in numerous operas, oratorios and theatrical productions, and has toured with different groups in many different countries, including but not limited to; the University of North Florida and University of British Columbia Opera ensembles in two separate productions in the Czech Republic, the University of North Florida Chorale 2010 tour of Italy, the St. John’s Cathedral Choir of Jacksonville 2014 tour of Westminster Abbey and Canterbury Cathedral, a contract with Carnival Cruise Lines in 2014, and numerous shows with the Orlando Philharmonic and Opera Orlando. He has performed onstage with such noted artists and ensembles, including but not limited to; The Royal Symphony of England, Reggie Wooten, Coolio, Ben Folds and Andrea Bocelli. In 2015 Bryan released his first original album entitled “This Is Me”. Bryan aspires to continue a career of performance and composition.
Lohgan Talbert, of Youngstown, Ohio, is a recent graduate of Seminole State College, where she studied Voice. Talbert will be attending The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London in 2026 to study Acting. Currently Lohgan is performing as a Vocalist in the Untrainable Dragon stage show at Orlando’s newest theme park Epic Universe. Lohgan has spent most of her life on stage; some of her favorite credits include Anya/Anastasia(Anastasia), Rizzo (Grease), Anna (Frozen), Paulette (Legally Blonde), Esmeralda (Hunchback), Florika (Hunchback), Chicago (Feat. Ensemble), Lily st Regis (Annie), Madame de la Grande Bouche (Beauty and the Beast) and many more. Lohgan was the 2019 recipient of the Broadway World "Best Actress" Award. Lohgan sends love and thanks to the company and the audience.
SELECTED PROGRAM NOTES
Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II
Carousel (1945)
A swaggering carnival barker. A hopeful millworker. And the brutal reality of their choices.
Forget everything you think you know about Golden Age musicals. Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II’s 1945 masterpiece Carousel is not a lighthearted romp, but a sweeping, emotionally resonant exploration of love, loss, and the hard-won path to redemption. Frequently named by Time magazine as the greatest musical of the twentieth century, Carousel stands apart for its psychological depth and its willingness to confront life’s most difficult truths. Its lush score and soaring orchestration do not soften the story’s darkness — they illuminate it.
More than a romance, Carousel examines the volatile relationship between the charismatic yet deeply flawed Billy Bigelow and the gentle, quietly devoted Julie Jordan. Their love is passionate but fragile, shaped by poverty, pride, and fear. After their marriage and the loss of Billy’s job, his inability to confront his own desperation leads him down a destructive path. Unlike many musicals of its era, Carousel does not romanticize suffering or excuse harmful behavior. Instead, it confronts the painful realities of domestic abuse, financial hardship, and social isolation, asking the audience to wrestle with empathy for imperfect, deeply human characters.
When Carousel premiered in 1945, Rodgers and Hammerstein took an extraordinary artistic risk. At the height of World War II, they chose to adapt Ferenc Molnár’s 1909 play Liliom, a work known for its bleak tone and tragic ending. Such material was far removed from the escapism audiences often expected from musical theater. Yet by reshaping the story with compassion and moral complexity, the composers created something revolutionary — a musical that acknowledged suffering while still offering the possibility of redemption. In doing so, they changed the trajectory of American musical theater.
From its very first moments, Carousel defies convention. The show opens not with a song, but with the “Carousel Waltz,” a twelve-minute orchestral pantomime that introduces the world, characters, and emotional atmosphere without a single word. This bold choice announced a new kind of musical storytelling, one in which music and drama were inseparable. That integration continues throughout the score, most famously in the “bench scene,” where Billy and Julie’s unspoken feelings unfold in the extended duet “If I Loved You.” Their emotional restraint — what they cannot say aloud — becomes more powerful than any declaration of love.
Equally groundbreaking is Billy’s “Soliloquy,” a remarkable psychological portrait in which he confronts the reality of impending fatherhood. What begins as bravado slowly transforms into fear, tenderness, and resolve, revealing the man Billy might become if given the chance. Moments like these helped redefine what musical theater could accomplish, blending operatic depth with intimate human emotion.
In its second act, Carousel takes an unexpected and deeply moving turn. After Billy’s death, he is granted one day to return to Earth and attempt to make amends. His silent presence at his daughter Louise’s graduation becomes one of the most poignant scenes in musical theater — a moment of grace earned through suffering. The work culminates in the iconic “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” a song that transcends the stage to offer a message of perseverance and hope. In context, it is not sentimental but hard-won, affirming the possibility of redemption even after great failure.
Carousel remains a challenging yet profoundly life-affirming work. Its themes of forgiveness, responsibility, and the enduring power of love continue to resonate as powerfully today as they did at its premiere. More than seventy-five years later, it stands as one of the most moving and enduring achievements in the American musical canon.
