It is about 5:30 p.m. and the cast of "Carousel" is beginning to get irritated. After a long day of teaching and nine days before opening night, Director Melanie Helton is particularly picky.

"OK, OK, Jimmy, you're not an old man, project your voice," Helton said, interrupting a late night rehearsal. "Take your hand away from your stomach and just let the music flow - again, from 'whoop-jamboree notions.'"

Music performance sophomore Jimmy Curtis blushes and nods his head. Helton puts her glasses back on and smiles.

Helton carefully polished performances and weeded out mistakes before the curtains opened to the nearly 35 cast members of "Carousel" - a musical drama about a flawed man who commits suicide and gets a second chance at life.

But perfecting the production required significant time management from the cast. What started as four-hour rehearsals soon became eight-hour cast calls and turned into 11-hour work days for Helton.

"We may be struggling financially, but in passion, we are in excess baring," Helton said. "The closer we get, the more hours I have to put into this and the less sleep I'm getting, but it's worth it - it's all worth it in the end."

"Carousel," a joint project with MSU Department of Theatre and School of Music, was unique in practice and production.

As the first collaboration between the two departments in more than 30 years, the actors and departments had much to learn from each other and left the experience as "better people and professionals," Helton said.

Although the process began in early October with auditions, the entire cast and orchestra worked in separate groups, focusing on their specific character roles and responsibilities.

The cast merged about a week before the Nov. 18 opening at Fairchild Theatre. Communication junior Kathleen McDonald said the audition process was nerve-racking for her because she isn't a theater or music major.

"Really, that is the most stressful time," she said. "It's very cut throat - people whispering and wondering who's trying out for what. I was a little intimidated at first, but I realized that was just me talking in my head. I learned I had to get over myself and just get on stage and give what I have to offer."

When the parts were finally assigned, the cast broke into groups: the lead actors, the back-up singers and the orchestra. Because the music and theater departments were collaborating for the first time in years, many students still needed training in certain areas.

With the help of choreographer Dixie Durr, music conductor Raphael Jimenez and music Professor Helton, the crew worked individually on their parts in an attempt to perfect all the areas.

"It's different for me, working in this kind of pattern," said theater junior Nathaniel Nose. "Most theater students usually meet everyone and start working with them from day one, but this project has been totally different - we all have our own areas we need to improve in."

As the actors perfected their lines and sequences, costume designer Gretel Geist and theater designer Kirk Domer worked equally long on their own creations.

"I never just carbon copy what past productions have done," Geist said. "I base it on research and talking with the director and brainstorming ideas.

After almost two months of dedication, consisting of rehearsals, training, music lessons, lightening tests and costume fittings, the hard work was almost done.

About a half hour before show time, make-up was applied, costumes were assembled and many performers said a little prayer. The orchestra tuned itself, and everyone was finally done.

Only a red, velvet curtain stood between the actors and the final presentation of their work, which was received with a standing ovation.

Theater reporter Sarah Al-Ramadhan can be reached at alramadh@msu.edu