Fine Turn of ‘Carousel’

I agree with Daryl H. Miller that the Hollywood Bowl presentation of “Carousel” was somewhat skewed by an overly farcical (and, in “Mister Snow,” downwardly transposed) turn from wonderful Faith Prince as Carrie Pipperidge (“ ‘Carousel’ Trades Complexity for Humor,” Aug. 15). Given the ambitions of the staging, however, not to mention scant rehearsal time or the size of the venue, Prince’s shenanigans were understandable and certainly crowd-pleasing.

Quibbles aside, it was a richly rewarding experience, with the matchless Don Walker orchestrations demonstrating that a complete recording of this visionary work is sorely overdue. One hopes semi-staged musicals might become an annual Bowl staple; “Brigadoon,” “The Most Happy Fella” and “Of Thee I Sing” wait in the wings, with “The Golden Apple” and “One Touch of Venus” not far behind.

DAVID C. NICHOLS

Los Angeles