Carrie (musical)

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Carrie
Poster for the original R.S.C. Production
Music	Michael Gore
Lyrics	Dean Pitchford
Book	Lawrence D. Cohen
Based upon	Stephen King's novel Carrie
Productions	1988 Stratford Upon Avon 1988 Broadway

Carrie: The Musical is a musical with a book by Lawrence D. Cohen, lyrics by Dean Pitchford, and music by Michael Gore. Carrie is seen as a reversal of the famous story Cinderella.

Adapted from Stephen King's novel Carrie, it focuses on an awkward teenaged girl with telekinetic powers whose lonely life is dominated by an oppressive religious fanatic mother. When she's humiliated by her peers at the high school prom, she wreaks havoc on everyone and everything in her path.

Contents 1 History 2 Legacy 3 Plot 4 Differences from the novel 5 Musical numbers 6 Cast 7 Awards and nominations 8 References 9 External links

[edit] History

Inspired by a 1981 performance of Alban Berg's opera Lulu at the Metropolitan Opera House,^[1] Lawrence D. Cohen, who wrote the script for the 1976 film version of Carrie, and Michael Gore began work on a musical based on the Stephen King novel. Gore's Fame collaborator, Dean Pitchford, was brought in to work on the project, which underwent numerous rewrites.^[2] In August 1984, a workshop of the first act was staged at 890 Broadway with Annie Golden as Carrie, Maureen McGovern as Mrs. White, Laurie Beechman as Mrs. Gardener, and Liz Callaway as Chris. It was soon announced that Carrie would be hitting Broadway in 1986.^[3] Funding wasn't raised until late 1987.

The show was produced by Friedrich Kurz and the Royal Shakespeare Company and had its first four-week run beginning on February 13, 1988 in Stratford-upon-Avon, where it received mixed reviews. Directed by Terry Hands and choreographed by Debbie Allen, the cast included Broadway veteran and cabaret singer Barbara Cook, Charlotte d'Amboise, Gene Anthony Ray, Darlene Love, and Linzi Hateley, in her stage debut, as Carrie.

The production was plagued with script and technical problems. For starters, the crew were unable to douse Hateley with fake blood without causing her body microphone to malfunction. Rewrites continued following each show^[4] and the program cited a song (Once I Loved a Boy) which was rewritten and renamed (When There's No One) prior to the first performance. Cook was nearly decapitated by an elaborate set piece on opening night, so she promptly resigned but agreed to stay on until a replacement could be cast, which was for the remainder of the Stratford run of the show. ^[3] A musical section of the Shower Room Scene (which has come to be known as Her Mother Should Have Told Her) was removed after the initial few performances, and another song called White Star was later excised.

The show transfered to Broadway at an expense of $8 million (at the time an exorbitant amount). Hateley (who ultimately won a Theatre World Award) and other members of the UK cast remained with the show, but Cook was replaced by Betty Buckley (who had played the teacher Miss Collins in the 1976 film version).

The show started previews on April 28, 1988 at the Virginia Theatre. After the final song, boos were heard mixed in with applause. Ken Mandelbaum is quoted by Wollman, MacDermot, and Trask: "Ken Mandelbaum writes of an audience divided during early previews, the curtain calls of which were greeted with a raucous mix of cheers and boos.^[5] However, in an instant, when Linzi Hateley and Betty Buckley rose to take their bows, the entire theatre turned to a standing ovation. According to the New York Times "The show had received standing ovations at some previews, as well as on opening night..." ^[6] The show officially opened on May 12, 1988. Hampered by scathing reviews, and despite the fact that the theatre was sold out every night ^[7], the financial backers pulled their money out of the show, and it closed on May 15, 1988 after only 16 previews and 5 performances, guaranteeing its place in theatre history as one of the most expensive disasters of all time. According to The New York Times, the "more -than-$7 million show...was the most expensive quick flop in Broadway history."^[8]

[edit] Legacy

The Broadway play was instantly legendary and soon inspired the title of Ken Mandelbaum's 1992 book Not Since Carrie: Forty Years of Broadway Musical Flops.

Although there is no official cast recording of the show, several bootleg audio tapes were surreptitiously made during live performances in both Stratford and New York, along with video footage shot from the audience, in addition to the professionally-made review tape sent to various journalists to promote the show. These recordings began to circulate soon after the show closed, and it was rumored in the early '90s that there were plans to record an official cast album, though it never happened. Buckley recorded the song "When There's No One" for her 1993 album Children Will Listen (the song also appeared on her 1999 album Betty Buckley's Broadway)^[9] and Hateley released the title song on her album Sooner Or Later.^[10] In 1999, "Unsuspecting Hearts" was recorded by Emily Skinner and Alice Ripley and released on their album of the same name.^[11]

In 1999, the Stagedoor Manor theater camp in upstate New York staged their own version of Carrie. With amateur performing rights never having been released for the show, this was an illegal, unlicensed production. Much to the surprise of all involved, Michael Gore and Larry Cohen were in the audience at one of the performances. While Gore castigated Stagedoor for producing the musical without permission, having enjoyed seeing the show with its re-worked ending and a cast of actual teenagers, he allowed the run to be completed.^{[citation needed]} An additional two unauthorized performances were later staged at Emerson College^[12]. When the play was staged at a high school in Denmark in 2001, Carrie fans got the only soundtrack that was recorded specifically for disc,^[13] though the songs are in Danish. In 2008 Lochaber High School in Fort William, Scotland performed an unauthorized adaption of Carrie. The school changed the script slightly in order to make the show "flow" better. They performed the Broadway version along with a full orchestra accompaniment. Prior to the opening night of Carrie, Lochaber High School invited all the British actors from the original Carrie to visit the school, watch the show and meet the cast, Linzi Hateley and several members of the original chorus came to watch the show.

Early in the 21st century, playwright Erik Jackson attempted to secure the rights to stage another production of the musical, but his request was denied. Jackson eventually earned the consent of Stephen King^[14] to mount a new, officially-sanctioned, non-musical production of Carrie, which debuted Off-Broadway in 2006 with female impersonator Sherry Vine in the lead role. Also Rarley Done Musicals, a theatre that is dedicated to performing musicals that no one else will, have announced they plan to perform a concert version of Carrie: The Musical.^[15] Similarly, many other unofficial spoofs have been staged over the years, most notably Scarrie the Musical,^[16] Carrie White the Musical^[17] and Carrie's Facts of Life,^[18] which was a hybrid of Carrie and the classic American sitcom The Facts of Life.

During the summer of 2008, Carrie was performed by a small community theater in North Texas. After receiving a cease and desist call from the musical's composer, Michael Gore, they re-worked the entire show, incorporating songs from other popular musicals and Eighties bands. This parody version called Telekinesis! became an instant success.^{[citation needed]}

Although Carrie is considered Broadway's biggest flop, there is a huge cult following for it. Many fan sites have appeared with recordings and audio of the show along with the script and score for both Broadway and Stratford-upon-Avon.^[19] Along with fan sites, many petitions have appeared online as well demanding a revival for the musical, which is heavily rumoured to be in the works.

[edit] Plot

Act I

Opening in a high school gym, the gym teacher, Miss Gardiner, is leading her girls' gym class in a strenuous workout ("In"). After class, the girls head to the locker room and have fun teasing a less attractive, plump girl named Carrie White.

The girls start to shower while talking about boys and their plans for the upcoming prom ("Dream On"). Carrie has her first period in the shower and, not understanding what is happening, thinks she is bleeding to death. The other girls taunt her mercilessly until Miss Gardiner hears the commotion, sends the girls away, and explains menstruation to Carrie.

On the way out of the gym, Sue and Chris talk about what just happened in the locker room. Sue is already feeling remorseful for her part in the incident, but Chris calls Carrie "Scary White." Carrie is hurt by their name-calling and teasing, but dreams of being vindicated and gaining respect from her peers ("Carrie").

Carrie's mother Margaret is praying ("Open Your Heart") when Carrie arrives home. Carrie joins her mother in prayer for a few minutes and then explains what happened in the locker room. Margaret tells Carrie that the blood is a sign of her sin ("And Eve Was Weak") and forces her into the cellar to pray for forgiveness.

That night, many of the kids are at the drive-in, including Sue and her boyfriend Tommy and Chris and her boyfriend Billy. Sue tells Tommy that she's still upset about what she and the other girls did to Carrie in the locker room while Chris complains about Carrie to Billy ("Don't Waste the Moon"). While the other kids are at the drive-in, Carrie and Margaret are home praying ("Evening Prayers"). Margaret prays for the strength to help her daughter while Carrie, depressed, questions God's love for her. Margaret apologizes for hurting Carrie and assures her that she loves her unconditionally.

At school the following day, Miss Gardiner tells the girls they must all apologize to Carrie. Sue and the other girls comply, but Chris refuses. Upset, Miss Gardiner tells Chris that she will not be allowed to go to the prom, and Chris vows revenge. Miss Gardiner encourages Carrie to dream about her Prince Charming ("Unsuspecting Hearts").

Still upset over the way Carrie has been treated, Sue asks Tommy to take Carrie to the prom instead of her ("Do Me a Favor") and he reluctantly agrees. At the same time, Chris asks Billy to help her get revenge on Carrie.

Tommy surprises Carrie by knocking on her door and asking her to go to prom. Though at first confused and uneasy, Carrie eventually agrees to go with him. When she tells her mother the news, ("Invited") Margaret forbids her to go, insisting that all boys just want to take advantage of girls ("I Remember How Those Boys Could Dance"), and the prom would be an occasion of sin. Carrie reveals her supernatural powers, telling her Margaret that she is determined to attend the prom and will not be stopped.

Act II

The act opens at a pig farm while a storm rages, where Chris, Billy, and several of his friends, are on a mission ("Out for Blood"). For their planned revenge on Carrie, they kill a pig and collect its blood. Back at the high school, Sue is confronted by girls who are upset that Carrie is going to the prom. Sue believes she is doing the right thing but realizes that doing the right thing is not always easy ("It Hurts to be Strong").

Getting ready for the prom, Carrie dreams about her date and, in a positive display of her special powers, she sends her dress, shoes, and hairbrush dancing through the air ("I'm Not Alone"). Margaret tries one more time to convince Carrie not to go to the prom ("Carrie (Reprise)"), but Carrie doesn't listen - and leaves for the prom with Tommy. Alone, Margaret plans to save Carrie from damnation the only way she can ("When There's No One").

Tommy and Carrie arrive at the prom ("Wotta Night") and everyone is surprised at how beautiful Carrie is. Miss Gardiner is there as a chaperone and talks to Carrie about how it feels to be in love ("Unsuspecting Hearts (Reprise)". Carrie is nervous about dancing with Tommy but he finally convinces her to go out on the dance floor with him ("Heaven"). As the votes for prom king and queen are cast, Tommy, Carrie, Sue, Chris, Billy, and Miss Gardiner soliloquize about the events unfolding ("Heaven (Reprise)"). Tommy and Carrie are declared king and queen of the prom, and are crowned as the students sing the "Alma Mater."

Suddenly, Billy and Chris appear and dump a bucket of pig blood on Carrie. Humiliated and incensed, Carrie realizes her full powers. She closes off the gym exit and kills everyone present ("The Destruction").

Carrie leaves the prom and is met by her mother. Margaret comforts her daughter ("Carrie (2nd Reprise)") and then stabs her fatally, thinking it will save Carrie's soul. Carrie retaliates, killing Margaret with her powers, and apologizes as her mother dies. Sue, the only student who wasn't at the prom, discovers Carrie and comforts her as she dies.

[edit] Differences from the novel

• Billy and Chris run on stage and throw the blood on Carrie instead of dumping it from the ceiling. This was because of the difficulty in drenching Linzi Hateley in stage blood, which would clog her body microphone. Since her song "The Destruction" began almost immediately, there was no time to clear the microphone before it was needed.^[20]
• In the book Chris is kicked out of the prom for skipping detention (as punishment for teasing Carrie). In the musical the detention isn't mentioned. Chris is kicked out for refusing to apologize to Carrie.
• The musical does not include Carrie's destruction of the whole town following the prom, which occurs in the novel.
• Chris and Billy are killed during the prom massacre in the musical. In the book Carrie causes their car to crash a few hours after the prom.
• The characters of the principal and the teacher are merged into a single character named Miss Gardiner.
• The "sanctuary" that Margaret forces Carrie into is a cellar rather than a closet.
• The Alma Mater is different from the Ewen High School's song in the book.

[edit] Musical numbers

Act I "In" - Miss Gardner and Female Chorus "Dream On" - Chorus "Carrie" - Carrie "Open Your Heart" - Margaret and Carrie "And Eve Was Weak" - Margaret "Don't Waste the Moon" - Sue, Tommy, Chris, Billy, and Chorus "Evening Prayers" - Margaret and Carrie "Unsuspecting Hearts" - Miss Gardner and Carrie "Do Me a Favor" - Sue, Tommy, Chris, Billy, and Chorus "Invited" - Carrie "I Remember How Those Boys Could Dance" - Margaret and Carrie

Act II "Out for Blood" - Chris, Billy, and Male Chorus "It Hurts to be Strong" - Sue "I'm Not Alone" - Carrie "Carrie (Reprise)" - Margaret and Carrie "When There's No One" - Margaret "Wotta Night" - Tommy, Carrie, and Chorus "Unsuspecting Hearts (Reprise)" - Miss Gardner "Heaven" - Tommy "Heaven (Reprise)" - Tommy, Carrie, and Chorus "Alma Mater" - Chorus "The Destruction" - Carrie / Instrumental "Carrie (2nd Reprise)" - Margaret and Carrie

[edit] Cast

Character	Stratford	Broadway	Description
Carrie White	Linzi Hateley	Linzi Hateley	Main character, seen as an outcast. While showering at school, Carrie has her first period which prompts the events of the musical. Carrie discovers she has extraodinary powers and uses them for revenge when she is attacked with pigs blood at her prom. Carrie kills her entire class and the teachers then is eventually stabbed by her mother. Carrie is perceived as a Cinderella-type character.
Margaret White	Barbara Cook	Betty Buckley	Carrie's religious mother, although she is abusive towards Carrie she loves her unconditionally and often sings of it. She eventually fatally stabs Carrie believing it will save her from hell
Sue Snell	Sally Ann Triplett	Sally Ann Triplett	Perhaps the most innocent character in the show. At first Sue hates Carrie and taunts her but soon feels remorse for what she has done and asks her boyfriend, Tommy, to take Carrie to prom. Sue witnesses Carrie's rage, but despite that she comforts Carrie during her last moments
Tommy Ross	Paul Gygnell	Paul Gygnell	Carrie's own version of Prince Charming. At first Tommy takes no interest in Carrie but takes her to the prom after his girlfriend, Sue, asks him to. Tommy is apprehensive but soon finds himself falling in love with Carrie. Tragically he dies when Carrie takes her revenge, although he had no hand in the prank.
Chris Hargensen	Charlotte d'Amboise	Charlotte d'Amboise	The main antagonist of the show. Chris is a not the biggest fan of Carrie at all. She feels no remorse at all for what she does to Carrie and plans to get her back after she gets kicked out of prom. She has the idea for the blood prank and is the one who carries it off. Chris dies during Carrie's revenge
Billy Nolan	Gene Anthony Ray	Gene Anthony Ray	The "not-so-smart" boyfriend of Chris. Although he is not in school he plans to take Chris to prom until Chris is kicked out. He helps in the blood prank and pays for it when he is killed along with Chris.
Miss Gardner	Darlene Love	Darlene Love	Carrie's "Fairy Godmother". At first she is disgusted about what she sees in the shower but soon realises Carrie has no idea what is going on. She explains to Carrie about periods and eventually about boys and prom. She is pleased to see Carrie happy during prom but sadly is killed by Carrie.

[edit] Awards and nominations

• 1988 Theatre World Award, Best Broadway Debut – Linzi Hateley (WIN)
• 1988 Outer Critics Circle Award, Best Actress – Betty Buckley (Nominated)

[edit] References

• Mandelbaum, Ken (1992). Not Since Carrie: Forty Years of Broadway Musical Flops, pp. 3–9. 347-356, St. Martin Press, ISBN 0312082738

[edit] External links

• Official Website for Carrie The Musical
• Carrie The Musical Fans Website
• Carrie at the Internet Broadway Database
• New York Times review, May 13, 1988
• NewYork Times article with history, May 8, 1988
• Carrie - The Guide to Musical Theatre

v • d • e Stephen King's Carrie Novel Carrie Adaptations Carrie (1976) · Carrie: The Musical · The Rage: Carrie 2 · Carrie (2002) Characters Carrie White · Margaret White · Sue Snell · Tommy Ross · Rita Desjardin  · Billy Nolan Related articles Psychokinesis