Carrie The Musical shows a softer side of the classic horror
tale
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Stephen King’s first
hit Carrie has finally returned to
the world of musical theater. Though the original adaptation is still
considered one of the most expensive and most spectacular Broadway flops
(ever), the re-worked version is being staged now at the New Century Theater,
just in time for Halloween.
hit Carrie has finally returned to
the world of musical theater. Though the original adaptation is still
considered one of the most expensive and most spectacular Broadway flops
(ever), the re-worked version is being staged now at the New Century Theater,
just in time for Halloween.
Carrie White is a late blooming teenager in her senior year
of high school. Between being bullied at school and dominated by her
overbearing mother at home, Carrie is set for a life of suffering and pain,
until she discovers she can move things with her mind. Things seem to be
looking up until Carrie’s schoolmates play a terrible prank on her – and Carrie’s
telekinesis becomes her final, bloody weapon against her tormentors.
of high school. Between being bullied at school and dominated by her
overbearing mother at home, Carrie is set for a life of suffering and pain,
until she discovers she can move things with her mind. Things seem to be
looking up until Carrie’s schoolmates play a terrible prank on her – and Carrie’s
telekinesis becomes her final, bloody weapon against her tormentors.
The benefits of putting such a story into musical form are
debatable, and the results are mixed. Carrie
opens with a strong ensemble performance of “In,” setting the audience up with
high hopes. But the immediate follow-up, “Carrie,” is so full of awkward key
and tempo changes that it’s hard to pick up the momentum.
debatable, and the results are mixed. Carrie
opens with a strong ensemble performance of “In,” setting the audience up with
high hopes. But the immediate follow-up, “Carrie,” is so full of awkward key
and tempo changes that it’s hard to pick up the momentum.
Standout musical performances definitely include duets between
Carrie and Margaret (her mother), such as “Evening Prayers” and “Stay Here
Instead.” And the choreography in “The Destruction” is engaging, with all cast
members somehow writhing, rolling, and slamming around in perfect time without
looking at each other at all.
Carrie and Margaret (her mother), such as “Evening Prayers” and “Stay Here
Instead.” And the choreography in “The Destruction” is engaging, with all cast
members somehow writhing, rolling, and slamming around in perfect time without
looking at each other at all.
As Carrie, Jill Iverson shows a remarkably fluid range as Carrie.
Her voice slithers between scenes, hitting high and low octaves with the full angst
of a vengeful, bitter teenager. She manages to inspire empathy and pride as she
takes her path of revenge, and it’s an enjoyable performance.
Her voice slithers between scenes, hitting high and low octaves with the full angst
of a vengeful, bitter teenager. She manages to inspire empathy and pride as she
takes her path of revenge, and it’s an enjoyable performance.
Philip C. Matthews is the perfect high school dreamboat as
Tommy Ross; Natalie Schleusner has just the right repentant booze-on-Saturday-night-church-on-Sunday-morning
pitch as his girlfriend/narrator Sue Snell. Their empathetic views toward
Carrie White significantly soften the “scary” in this Carrie, but the show still manages to hit some creepy notes.
Tommy Ross; Natalie Schleusner has just the right repentant booze-on-Saturday-night-church-on-Sunday-morning
pitch as his girlfriend/narrator Sue Snell. Their empathetic views toward
Carrie White significantly soften the “scary” in this Carrie, but the show still manages to hit some creepy notes.
Carrie is an
exercise in experimentation in just about every way. What happens when a young
girl is pushed to the edge? When we give her supernatural abilities? Can a horror
story work as a musical? Just like Carrie herself, it’s worth making a visit to
the New Century Theater and giving it a chance.
exercise in experimentation in just about every way. What happens when a young
girl is pushed to the edge? When we give her supernatural abilities? Can a horror
story work as a musical? Just like Carrie herself, it’s worth making a visit to
the New Century Theater and giving it a chance.
Carrie runs
through October 27 at the New Century Theater in the City Center. Click
on this link to purchase tickets and learn more about the show.
through October 27 at the New Century Theater in the City Center. Click
on this link to purchase tickets and learn more about the show.