 Rodgers considered Carousel his favorite of all his musicals and wrote , " it affects me deeply every time I see it performed " . In 1999 , Time magazine , in its " Best of the Century " list , 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 " . Hammerstein 's grandson , Oscar Andrew Hammerstein , in his book about his family , suggested that the wartime situation made Carousel 's ending especially poignant to its original viewers , " Every American grieved the loss of a brother , son , father , or friend ... the audience empathized with [ Billy 's ] all @-@ too @-@ human efforts to offer advice , to seek forgiveness , to complete an unfinished life , and to bid a proper good @-@ bye from beyond the grave . " Author and composer Ethan Mordden agreed with that perspective : 
