What’s the Use of Wond’rin’ by Rodgers & Hammerstein – Improvised by pianist Charles Manning

“What’s the Use of Wond’rin’” was written for the Broadway musical “Carousel.” The music was composed by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. When “Carousel” opened at New York’s Majestic Theatre in April, 1945, it was an immediate success, with unanimous rave reviews. The original Broadway cast starred John Raitt and Jan Clayton, and the 1956 film version starred Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones. Portraying the character Julie, Clayton, and Jones, respectively, sang the song “What’s the Use of Wond’rin,’ which appeared in Act II of the show. “Carousel” was the second musical by the influential and innovative Rodgers and Hammerstein musical theater writing team. Richard Rodgers referred to the show as having much that is operatic in the music, and considered “Carousel” his favorite of all his musicals. Through the years, the musical won numerous Donaldson Awards, Tony Awards, and Olivier Awards, among others. In 1999, Time magazine named “Carousel” the Best Musical of the 20th century, writing that Rodgers and Hammerstein “set the standards for the 20th-century musical, and this show features their most beautiful score and the most skillful and affecting example of their musical storytelling.” In this rendition, the “Carousel” song “What’s the Use of Wond’rin’” is improvised by pianist Charles Manning.