Round In Circles The Story of Rodgers ampampamp Hammersteins Carousel is intended not only for those who share the authors love of the Golden Age Broadway musicals but also for students of the genre who want to learn about the trials and tribulations encountered in producing a musical at that time when Rodgers and Hammerstein were transforming such shows into the unique American art form we continue to enjoy today.ampampnbspThe book covers the history of the classic musical from its beginning as Liliom a 1909 play by Hungarian author Ferenc Molnr to its latest 2021 London revival.ampampnbspAt first Rodgers and Hammerstein dismissed the idea of turning Liliom into a musical.ampampnbspHow they were persuaded to change their minds and the struggles the duo experienced in adapting the dark fantastical play is a key part of the story told by author Barry Kester. But the book also shines the spotlight onto Rodgers and Hammerstein themselves looking at their lives their working methods and their relationship which was not always as harmonious as one might have thought.ampampnbspAlthough Carousel was created by Rodgers and Hammerstein it would not have happened without the help of some extraordinary people both backstage and onstage and the book pays due tribute to them all. ampampnbspMany of Carousels songs have become wellloved standards none more so than Youll Never Walk Alone and not just because of its association with football.