HKUST's Community Musical 2026—Rodgers & Hammerstein's Carousel Celebrates 35 Years of Artistic Expression

The immensely talented cast and production team behind this year’s community musical, Carousel, shone the spotlight on HKUST’s dedication to fostering a thriving culture for the arts on campus.

Presented by the Shaw Auditorium Unit, and co-directed by Dr. Isaac DROSCHA, Senior Lecturer from the Division of Humanities, and Ms. Mandy PETTY, a renowned choreographer, the show presented a classic Broadway musical for a Hong Kong audience.

“We picked this special musical particularly for the University’s 35th anniversary,” said Dr. Droscha. “With a big cast and lots of musical numbers, it allowed us to involve more HKUST and community members." The show took place at the Shaw Auditorium on campus from March 20 to 22. 

Embracing Human Complexity 

The production proved to be more than a stunning cross-cultural visual and aural feast; it was a celebration of the power of art and the triumph of the human spirit. 

The story of Carousel is centered around a man called Billy Bigelow, whose life ends in tragedy following a troubled existence marked by crime and hardship. But later in heaven, he is granted the opportunity to return to his hometown to seek redemption if he helps his daughter, Louise. 

The role of Billy is one of the toughest in musicals. It requires not only exceptional vocal strength but deep emotional commitment.

“The most challenging part about Billy is that he pretends to be a tough man in his own mind, but deep down, he is quite soft, just like everyone else,” said Mr. LEUNG Ho-Sing, a Computer Engineering undergraduate student, who took on the role of Billy. “So I had to reveal more of Billy’s hidden self during the solo scenes.”

To play the part of Billy, Mr. Leung had to understand the psychology of a violent individual. “It is difficult to imagine someone being so abusive. Such behavior is rare these days,” explained Mr. Leung. To prepare for the role, he studied how TV actors channel a range of believable emotions, including aggression.

Building Community

Individual effort came together to create a thriving community of creatives for this project. Several of those involved in this year’s production are, in fact, veteran performers of previous HKUST community theater initiatives.

One such person is Dr. ZHANG Rong, Senior Lecturer, Division of Emerging Interdisciplinary Areas, who saw his multiple roles — hard-working fisherman and more prominently, the Carnival Boy in the second act — as an opportunity to return to the stage.

A veteran of previous HKUST community musicals, he wished to refine his craft as an evolving performer and unlock more of his potential.

“Mandy and Isaac provided the cast with invaluable practical tips that have significantly improved our performance skills,” said Dr. Zhang, adding that researching his part had been a time-consuming but hugely enriching experience.

“To fully embrace the character, I researched the history of the whaling industry and even created a journal for the role,” he said, explaining that the musical is set in a whaling town on the northeast coast of the USA.

Touching Hearts

The melodious score and bittersweet storytelling captured the hearts of over 2,000 audience members during the three-day run. As the final curtain fell after each performance, enthusiastic applause filled the Main Hall of the Shaw Auditorium, signaling that the HKUST Community Musical had once again cast its spell. Audience members left profoundly impressed and cheered. Post-show comments included:

•    “The cast, orchestra, stage crew, and supporting staff all did an excellent job. The production improves every year!”
•    “Exquisite set design with a real carousel on stage.”
•    “Impressive, especially the singing.”
•    “Inspiring passion and seamless collaboration.”
•    “The spirit of community truly stood out.”

Reflecting on the show’s success, Ms. Petty said she hoped this performance would encourage the HKUST community to reflect on their life values and treasure the performing arts.

“The show featured fun, lively songs, but also quiet, reflective moments. Like in our own lives, there are always opportunities for redemption and starting over. Never give up on changing your life!”

Moving forward, HKUST will continue to provide a platform for enthusiastic artists who infuse campus life with vibrant, heartfelt cultural connections. For more details, please visit HKUST Community Musical.