2027-28 Proposal: Carrie

Carrie

Music by Michael Gore

Lyrics by Dean Pitchford

Book by Lawrence D. Cohen

Based on the novel by Stephen King

Directed by Frank Kern

Music Direction by Loriann Schmidt

Show Synopsis 

Carrie White is a teenage outcast who longs to fit in. At school, she’s bullied by the popular crowd, and virtually invisible to everyone else. At home, she’s dominated by her loving but cruelly controlling mother. What none of them know is that Carrie’s just discovered she’s got a special power, and if pushed too far, she’s not afraid to use it.

Vision Statement:

“In the wake of two hundred deaths and the destruction of an entire town, it is so easy to forget one thing: We were kids.” - Stephen King, Carrie.

Stephen King was 26 years old when his debut novel, Carrie, received its first film adaptation by Brian De Palma. Just five years later, the film's screenwriter, Lawrence D. Cohen, began writing Carrie: The Musical. Originally an expensive “flop” on Broadway, the show quickly became a cult classic and was successfully revamped in 2012. The rewrites focused on the psychological agony of adolescence and brought the musical into a contemporary world. Closely following the novel and film adaptations, the musical adds depth and complexity to the characters' lives. It is difficult to find an adaptation of the story that does not portray the “take Carrie to prom instead of me” narrative as far-fetched and unrealistic, but this adaptation seems to succeed. In Carrie: The Musical, Sue Snell (i.e., the “take Carrie to prom” girl) is given more purpose, as she recalls the events that plague her nightmares. Because of this, her relationship with her boyfriend and her growing empathy for Carrie are given emotional depth and meaning. In this version, Carrie is not focused on the romantic premise of prom, but rather the promise of finally fitting in with her peers and living a new life. This subtle change to her motives creates a heartbreaking climax, memorializing the impact of Carrie.

In her book, The Monstrous-Feminine, Barbara Creed cites The Exorcist, Alien, and Carrie as particularly impactful for the horror genre, primarily for their use of the female reproductive system as a source of fear and power. Alluding to what is now coined “female rage” by the media, Creed says that, in these films, “the idea that [a woman] should give physical expression to her anger is represented as an inherently destructive process.” As Carrie discovers her powers and womanhood, her mother and peers shame her, ultimately causing a rage-filled, bloody destruction. Female rage enthusiasts will tell you that the horror genre frequently incorporates the intense emotions of the feminine experience; the rage and agony that women are told never to express (thank you, patriarchy). These experiences and emotions transcend generations, from the early writings of Christine de Pizan in the 1380s to the first-wave feminist movement of the 19th century, and the #MeToo Movement of today. Similarly, the story of Carrie seems to follow each generation, leaving a gigantic blood-stained trail of fire behind it.

This production of Carrie: The Musical seeks to explore the cyclical nature of the stage adaptation, focusing on cycles of trauma and abuse. As Sue relives the events of the “black prom,” her nightmares become an inescapable loop, echoing the fragmented memories that are often experienced by trauma survivors. Additionally, Margaret witnesses her daughter, Carrie, growing up before her eyes. This stifling fear of losing her daughter to the same world she grew up in, coupled with her intense religious values and traumatic past, causes Margaret to perpetuate cycles of abuse and violence. Carrie lives within a constant cycle of abuse, both at home and at school. Chris, the school’s bully and popular girl, constantly harasses Carrie. When singing about her motives, Chris attributes her world outlook to her father’s own philosophy, who may be neglecting her at home. While the production does not make excuses for Chris and Margaret’s actions, it provides additional context for the actors and audience, making the characters seem painfully realistic. These cycles of memories, abuse, and trauma burn through the pages of Carrie: The Musical. If chosen, this production will explore these cycles and those who break them."