 Carousel was revived in 1954 and 1957 at City Center , presented by the New York City Center Light Opera Company . Both times , the production featured Barbara Cook , though she played Carrie in 1954 and Julie in 1957 ( playing alongside Howard Keel as Billy ) . The production was then taken to Belgium to be performed at the 1958 Brussels World 's Fair , with David Atkinson as Billy , Ruth Kobart as Nettie , and Clayton reprising the role of Julie , which she had originated . 
