She’s Carrie - Review of Carrie the musical by Milton Appleby

Carrie, most of us are familiar with her history. She was the first novel written by Stephen King which was soon followed by a successful screen adaption directed by Brian DePalma.  The movie starring Sissy Spacek in the title role and Piper Laurie as the religious mother Margaret White is a horror classic. Their performances garnered them Academy Award nominations a rare feat for a horror movie.  The idea of Carrie as a musical came to a realization in 1988.  The show opened in Stratford, England directed by Terry Hands with Linzi Hateley as Carrie and choreography by Debbie Allen.  Upon completing its run in Stratford the show moved to Broadway adding Betty Buckley to the cast as Margaret White.  The show was polarizing inciting some of the most horrendous reviews for a Broadway production.   It became a Broadway legend for the wrong reasons.  It closed after 5 performances. 

The Broadway production had many issues from the songs, staging, costumes and book.  The sets were done with minimalist details as if presenting a post modern look.  There was no authentic connection to the high school experience.  Perhaps the issue with the show was the scale they attempted to present it with.  This couldn’t be more evident than during The Destruction which was a combination of pyrotechnics and lasers.  The show did have its bright spots especially during the scenes between Carrie and Margaret.  The songs between them were emotional giving the characters a deeper connection which came from the wonderful performances of Linzi and Betty.  All this history yet the show was never performed again for years.  There was an interest to stage Carrie at colleges and regional theaters but the rights were never given. 

In 2012 an off Broadway revival opened with a massive overhaul from the book to the songs.  It also made the production smaller in scale creating a more intimate show.  The interest in staging Carrie across the country grew and this time after many years’ audiences would get to experience it. 

There is no greater experience than the current production at the historic Los Angeles Theater in Downtown L.A. Taking over the venue you are transplanted back into high school with the setting being a gymnasium. I purchased a ticket in the Senior class section which consists of four bleacher sections that are moved throughout the show.  This is where you are up close with the actors as they interact with each other and sometimes with the audience.  Director Brady Schwind wanted this to be an immersive production which is exactly what you get.  Being up close to the action elevates your senses.  The show was revamped even further from the off Broadway production with the original creative team.  It has kept the intimacy but has further streamlined the flow of the scenes and songs.  Some of the dialogue evokes images from the Brian De Palma movie that I’m sure diehard Carrie fans will recognize. 

Carrie opens with Sue Snell (Kayla Parker) being interrogated about the incident that occurred on May 28^th.   This structure was taken from the novel which incorporated interviews after the events that took place known as the White Commission.  This is where we meet all the kids in the number “In” where they sing about the pressures of high school.  Carrie (Emily Lopez) is taunted by the girls for missing her volleyball shot during PE.  As she showers she gets her first period and becomes hysterical.  Chris Hargensen (Valerie Rose Curiel) along with the other girls begin to throw tampons at Carrie shouting “plug it up!”  Miss Gardner (Jenelle Lynn Randall) intervenes shocked that Carrie wasn’t aware of what was happening to her.  After Carrie is dismissed from PE for the rest of the week she laments about her existence “Carrie”.  She goes home and reveals what happened to her mother Margaret White (Misty Cotton) who launches into a sermon “And Eve Was Weak”.  As punishment Carrie is put in her closet to pray. 

Miss Gardner confronts the girls telling them to apologize to Carrie.  Chris instead tells her to eat shit prompting Miss Gardner to deny her attendance to the senior prom. Sue wants to do something for Carrie to make things right and asks her boyfriend Tommy Ross (Jon Robert Hall) to take Carrie to prom while Chris enlists her boyfriend Billy Nolan (Garrett Marshall) to plot revenge against Carrie “Do Me A Favor”.  Carrie accepts Tommy’s invitation and tells her mother who launches into a rage.  Carrie reveals her telekinetic powers to her mother who calls her a witch. 

The kids anticipate prom with Chris and Billy revealing their plan to ruin Carrie’s night “A Night We’ll Never Forget”.  Sue and Tommy lament about what their night could have been and their life after high school “You Shine”.  As Carrie prepares for the Prom Margaret asks her to stay but she leaves with Tommy.  Margaret is left alone to ponder what will happen to her and her daughter “When There’s No One”.  Carrie and Tommy arrive at the prom as the kids react to her transformation.  The prom King and Queen ballots are distributed with Carrie and Tommy on the list.  Carrie asks Tommy who they should vote for deciding to vote for themselves.  The announcement is made and Carrie and Tommy have won “Alma Mater”.  After the coronation blood is poured on Carrie from above with the kids laughing at her.  Carrie unleashes her telekinetic powers taking revenge on her tormentors “The Destruction”.  She returns home seeking comfort from her mother who stabs her.  Carrie kills her mother and is found by Sue who embraces her as she dies.

This production of Carrie is filled with excellent performances by the principals as well as the ensemble.   Emily Lopez has the vulnerability demanded for the role of Carrie.  She gives the show the emotional core needed for the production to work.  Equally outstanding is Misty Cotton whose Margaret White is perfection possessing vocal prowess.  The scenes between mother and daughter are electric.  Kayla Parker brings Sue Snell to life portraying the conscience that the audience connects with.  Jon Robert Hall fills the role of the popular jock with a sensitive soul with a voice to match.  Valerie Rose Curiel is the embodiment of Chris Hargensen the "Queen Bee" with a hunger for revenge.  Garrett Marshall’s Billy Nolan is just as good as the bad boy willing to do anything for his girlfriend.  Rounding out this amazing cast is Jenelle Lynn Randall who plays Miss Gardner with a balance of humor and compassion. All give outstanding vocal performances giving the songs nuances required of it's outlandish and horrific subject. 

Director Brady Schwind and his creative team have given Carrie the production it always deserved.  The sets and costumes capture the high school experience which was very lacking in the original Broadway production.  Carrie’s telekinesis is displayed in very imaginative ways.  The Prom sequence is by far the best with awe inspiring effects.  I may be gushing like an overtly enthusiastic high school kid which I felt like watching the show.  I’ve been a fan of Stephen King’s Carrie for many years.  I’ve read the book, seen every movie adaptation and watched the Stratford production on YouTube many times.  The transformation of Carrie the musical is almost like seeing her for the first time.   It will make for a night you'll never forget.  

Carrie the Killer Musical Experience is playing at the Los Angeles Theater through November 15^th.  Visit http://www.experiencecarrie.com for tickets and showtimes.