By SUSAN PARK

Civic Light Opera debuted its production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "Carousel" on Sept. 20. The run continues through Oct. 13, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

Set during the turn of the century in New England, Carousel, tells the story of a carnival barker named Billy Bigelow who's charismatic charm captivates the heart of a young mill worker, Julie Jordan.

The two fall instantly in love and marry at once in proper Victorian fashion. However, there is little happiness in paridise. A lack of ambition and a poor choice in friends leads Billy Bigelow to a life and death full of unhappiness and tragedy.

The play is a classic and full of wonderfully sung tunes such as "June is Bustin' Out All Over," "My Boy, Bill", and "You'll Never Walk Alone."

Among those starring in the performance are three local actors who are all making their CLO debut: Ellen Dessler of Ravenna-Bryant who plays Mrs. Mullin, the owner of the carnival; James Ring-Howell of Olympic Hills who plays Enoch Snow, the fiancé of Julie's bestfriend Carrie Pipperidge; and University area resident Shawn Syre who plays the troublemaker Jigger Craigin.

The entire performance lasts about 3 hours and includes an intermission with coffee and refreshments. The first Act moves rather slowly, but the second Act picks up the pace with the entertaining song, "Stonecutters Cut It On Stone." A delightful dance by sixteen year-old Jennifer Schreiber of Redmond as Louise Bigelow, the daughter of Julie and Billy Bigelow, is another highlight. Other interesting features are the period costumes: little girls in bloomers, and angels in Salvation Army uniforms.

CLO performs in the auditorium of the old Jane Adams School, 11051 34th Ave. NE in the Meadowbrook neighborhood of Lake City.

For ticket information, call 363.2809. (