Bridget actress from carousel musical

There are two structural elements to the show that are flat-out masterpieces and, I believe, advanced the musical theater artform more so than any show since “Show Boat.” And they were both tremendously experimental for their time.

The first is the infamous opening section of the show, typically dubbed “The Bench Scene.” It is such a seamless and profound piece of writing that it is studied in nearly every musical theater performance class in the world and is the paradigm of the melding of song and book scenes to advance a story.

It is considered a perfect musical theater “scene.”

“The Bench Scene” (centered on the song “If I Loved You”) is an extended, uninterrupted sequence at the beginning of Act One that lasts about ten minutes. It starts with Billy and Julie meeting alone for the very first time, her as an innocent young girl (though very aware of Billy’s philandering, manipulative reputation.)

She knows he flirts with girls so he can steal