 The original production ran for 890 performances , closing on May 24 , 1947 . The original cast included John Raitt ( Billy ) , Jan Clayton ( Julie ) , Jean Darling ( Carrie ) , Eric Mattson ( Enoch Snow ) , Christine Johnson ( Nettie Fowler ) , Murvyn Vye ( Jigger ) , Bambi Linn ( Louise ) and Russell Collins ( Starkeeper ) . In December 1945 , Clayton left to star in the Broadway revival of Show Boat and was replaced by Iva Withers ; Raitt was replaced by Henry Michel in January 1947 ; Darling was replaced by Margot Moser . 
