 Critic Michael Billington has commented that " lyrically [ Carousel ] comes perilously close to acceptance of the inevitability of domestic violence . " BroadwayWorld.com stated in 2013 that Carousel is now " considered somewhat controversial " because Julie " opts to stays [ sic ] with Billy Bigelow even after he begins hitting her " ; actress Kelli O 'Hara noted that the domestic violence that Julie " chooses to deal with – is a real , existing and very complicated thing . And exploring it is an important part of healing it . " 
