Young Actors Theatre will open the first production of its 49th season with Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Carousel,” fittingly sponsored by the North Florida Fair, on Friday, Nov 3.

Hailed by TIME Magazine as the “best musical of the 20th Century,” “Carousel” is set in a coastal community with a cast of students ages 9 to 18 performing the iconic songs like “June is Busting Out All Over,” “If I Loved You,” and the poignant “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

“Carousel does not follow a standard musical format,” shares director Elaine Hendriks Smith, of FSU’s School of Theatre. “The characters do not sing in their opening moments. Instead, they exist within the spectacle of the carousel, an exciting technology for people in 1873.”

She continues, “We can only hear the character’s voices for the first time when they have left the lights and mechanical music to walk on the beach at night with nothing but the stars and moon lighting the way. Here, Rodgers and Hammerstein introduce an essential element for our characters to learn acceptance and love – hope.”

Young Actors achieves the dreamlike, whimsical glow of the moon and stars with scenic design by Alexander Whittenberg – who is currently working on Mariah Carey’s Christmas Tour – and lighting by Mason Schmidt.

The production also features the installation of a new, state-of-the-art Hearing Loop Assisted Listening System to enhance the theater experience for people with hearing loss.

“Theater plays a pivotal role in our society, bringing diverse communities together to enjoy the arts and culture,” says Chief Executive Officer Sarah Roy. “Young Actors Theatre is a nonprofit organization committed to not only providing quality training in the performing arts for children, but also entertaining a multi-generational audience – often the beloved grandparents of our students.”

Following the Golden Age musical “Carousel,” YAT’s season continues with programming for everyone – a modern take on “Romeo & Juliet” (politicos take note), Disney’s “Finding Nemo Jr.” for the littles, and Tina Fey’s witty comedy, “Mean Girls”, as the summer show for high schoolers.

To learn more, visit youngactorstheatre.com. Tickets for Carousel, running through Nov. 12, start at $15.

If you go

What: Young Actors Theatre production of “Carousel”

When: 7 p.m. Fridays, 1:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sundays; through Nov. 12

Where: Young Actors Theatre, 609 Glen View Drive

Tickets: $15 Children (under 12), $20 Students & Seniors, $25 Adults; visit youngactorstheatre.com