Broadway

Zachary James to play Billy Bigelow in CAROUSEL at The REV Theatre Co.

Grammy winner Zachary James (Broadway’s The Addams Family, West End’s Hadestown) will star as Billy Bigelow in The REV Theatre Company's production of CAROUSEL in Auburn, NY, featuring a 15-piece onstage orchestra.

BroadwayWorld·May 5, 2026·via BroadwayWorld

Zachary James to play Billy Bigelow in CAROUSEL at The REV Theatre Co.

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Brett Smock will direct the production, with Jeff Theiss conducting a 15-piece on-stage orchestra.

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The REV Theatre Company has announced that Broadway, West End, and opera star Zachary James will appear as Billy Bigelow in its upcoming production of Rodgers' & Hammerstein's " Carousel ."

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The REV's Producing Artistic Director, Brett Smock says, "It has been almost 30 years since we last produced R&H's 'Carousel.' As we prepare for its return to the Playhouse stage this August, we will present the piece with a 15-piece orchestra on stage, singers from a local choir, and a formidable cast led by Zach James. He is a singular talent and it's an honor to have him on our stage alongside the rest of our brilliant company. This 'Carousel' will unite different factions of our community as we celebrate the vibrancy and power of the Arts in CNY."

"There are few roles as demanding and complex as Billy Bigelow," James said. "I'm honored to bring him to life at The REV this summer with my friend, Brett Smock , directing and Jeff Theiss conducting a full orchestra, in what promises to be a very special experience. As an Ithaca College alum, returning to the Finger Lakes is a homecoming for me and I cannot wait to share our 'Carousel' with the community."

A 2022 Grammy Award winner for Best Opera Recording, James was named the BroadwayWorld Vocalist of the Decade 2010-2020, Classical Post's Most Innovative Artist, Verismo Magazine's Breakout Artist of the Year and is among Opera Wire's 30 Most Influential LGBTQ+ Artists. His Broadway credits include originating the role of Lurch in "The Addams Family" and the Tony Award-winning revival of "South Pacific" at Lincoln Center" James' West End credits include Hades in the original West End company of "Hadestown" and Claude Frollo in "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." Most recently, James played Caiaphas in "Jesus Christ Superstar" at the Hollywood Bowl. He created the roles of Abraham Lincoln in the world premiere of Philip Glass 's opera "The Perfect American" at the Teatro Real in Madrid, London's English National Opera and Australia's Opera Queensland, Oberon in the world premiere of "Il Sogno" at the Teatro Citta della Pieve in Umbria, Lucius in the world premiere of "Edward Tulane" at Minnesota Opera, Cholly in the world premiere of "Safronia" at Lyric Opera of Chicago, the role of Terry in the world premiere of "Breaking The Waves" at Opera Philadelphia and Amenhotep in the Olivier and Grammy Award-winning production of Philip Glass 's "Akhnaten" shown in cinemas worldwide. In addition to numerous television and film credits, James has starred in productions with renowned opera companies around the world. He is a winner of the Kurt Weill Foundation's Lotte Lenya Competition and a graduate of the Ithaca College musical theatre program.

Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Carousel" runs August 12th-29th at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse in Auburn, NY. Additional casting will be announced soon. Tickets can be purchased at TheREVTheatre.com or by calling The REV's box office at 315-255-1785.

With music by Richard Rodgers and a book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II , "Carousel" is based on Ferenc Molnar's play, "Lilliom" as adapted by Benjamin F. Glazer and is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization.

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