Carrie (musical)

Infobox Musical
name= Carrie
subtitle=


caption= Poster for the original R.S.C. Production
music= Michael Gore
lyrics= Dean Pitchford
book= Lawrence D. Cohen
basis= 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.

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.

History

Inspired by a 1981 performance of Alban Berg's opera "Lulu" at the Metropolitan Opera House, [cite video | title = Carrie" DVD featurette ("singing Carrie") | publisher=United Artists | date=2002] 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. [cite web

last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Carrie R.S.C. Program, "A Musical of "Carrie"?" p. 14
work =
publisher = The Royal Shakespeare Company
date = 1988
url = http://carriefansite.blogspot.com/2008/02/musical-of-carrie.html
format =
doi =
accessdate = ] In August 1984, a workshop of the first act was staged at 890 Broadway and it was soon announced that "Carrie" would be hitting Broadway in 1986.Mandelbaum 348] 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, they were unable to douse Hateley with fake blood without making her body microphone malfunction. Rewrites continued following each show [cite web

last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Linzi Hateley "Green Room Radio" Interview
work =
publisher = http://www.greenroomradio.com/
date =
url = http://www.greenroomradio.com/?p=59
format =
doi =
accessdate = ] 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 London run of the show. 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.

Despite its lukewarm reception, the producers decided to transfer the show 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).

After 15 previews plagued by script and technical problems, the production opened on May 12, 1988 at the Virginia Theatre. Hampered by scathing reviews, it closed after only five performances, guaranteeing its place in theatre history as one of the most expensive disasters of all time.

Legacy

The Broadway play was instantly legendary and soon inspired the title of Ken Mandelbaum's 1991 book "Not Since Carrie: Forty Years of Broadway Musical Flops". [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=NYl7BzMMEhMC&pg=PA348&lpg=PA348&dq=pitchford+carrie&source=web&ots=ZGafzNs-sk&sig=bQYc0Ke0adPKXLqT0ZFVP8rYq5I "Not Since Carrie:Forty Years of Broadway Musical Flops", pp. 3-9. 347-356] ]

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") [cite web |last = | first = | authorlink = | title = Betty Buckley on record | work = | publisher = Betty Buckley: The Official Website | date = | url = http://bettybuckley.com/biography/record/ | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2008-01-29] and Hateley released the tile song on her album "Sooner Or Later." [cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | title = Linzi Hateley Recordings | work = | publisher = The Official Linzi Hateley Website | date =
url = http://unofficiallinzihateley.homestead.com/recordings.html | format = | doi = | accessdate = ] In 1999, "Unsuspecting Hearts" was recorded by Emily Skinner and Alice Ripley and released on their album of the same name. [cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | title = Unsuspecting Hearts | work = | publisher = Amazon.com | date = | url = http://www.amazon.com/Unsuspecting-Hearts-Emily-Skinner/dp/B000028TV8/ref=m_art_li_2 | format = | doi = | accessdate = ]

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 was in the audience at one of the performances. While he castigated Stagedoor for producing the musical without permission, having enjoyed seeing the show with its re-worked ending, he allowed the run to be completed.Fact|date=December 2007 An additional two unauthorized performances were later staged at Emerson College.Fact|date=February 2008 In 2007, Natalie Weiss performed "I'm Not Alone" for the Penn State Broadway Jukebox. [cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = pennstatemt | title = I'm Not Alone on You Tube | work = | publisher = pennstatemt | date = | url = http://youtube.com/watch?v=uedIMUuosnw
format = | doi = | accessdate = 2008-02-27] 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, [cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = CastAlbums.org | title = Carrie » Gammel Hellerup Gymnasium Cast [CastAlbums.org] | work = | publisher = CastAlbums.org | date = | url = http://www.castalbums.org/recordings/5401 | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2008-02-29] though the songs are in Danish.

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 [cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = Rocky Wood | title = Eric Jackson Interview | work = | publisher = horrorking.com | date = | url = http://www.horrorking.com/interview-hk1.html | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2008-02-27] 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. [cite web

last =
first =
authorlink = Jesse Green
coauthors =
title = New York Times Theater Review
work =
publisher = The New York Times
date =
url = http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/26/arts/26weekahead.html
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-02-27] Similarly, many other unofficial spoofs have been staged over the years, most notably "Scarrie the Musical", [cite web

last =
first =
authorlink = Handbag Productions
coauthors =
title = Hell in a Handbag's Scarrie site
work =
publisher = handbagproductions.org
date =
url = http://www.handbagproductions.org/history/scarrie/scarrie.shtml
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-02-27] "Carrie White the Musical" [cite web

last =
first =
authorlink = Sci-fi Dimensions
coauthors =
title = Sci-Fi Dimensions Review
work =
publisher = scifidimensions
date =
url = http://www.scifidimensions.com/Jul02/carriewhite.htm
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-02-27] and "Carrie's Facts of Life", [cite web

last =
first =
authorlink = Running with Scissors
coauthors =
title = Carrie's Facts of Life - Official Site
work =
publisher = norunningwithscissors.com
date =
url = http://www.norunningwithscissors.com/carrie.html
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-02-27] 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.Fact|date=July 2008

Plot

Act I

Opening in a high school gym, the gym teacher, Miss Gardner, is leading her girls' gym class in a strenuous workout ("In"), encouraging the girls to "work, work, work" and "burn, burn, burn!" 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"). Their excited conversation is cut short by sudden screams from Carrie. "I'm bleeding!" "I'm dying!" The other girls realize Carrie has started her period and start taunting her. "Carrie's got the curse!" Hearing the commotion, Miss Gardner rushes in and slaps the hysterical Carrie to calm her down. Carrie stops screaming as the light bulb overhead explodes. Realizing that Carrie doesn't understand what is happening to her, Miss Gardner sends the other girls out of the locker room.

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 ("Carrie") and dreams of a day she'll "make them sorry...for teasing Carrie."

Carrie's momma 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 at school in the shower that day. Momma tells Carrie that the blood is a sign of her sin ("And Eve Was Weak") and tells her to "pray for forgiveness." She opens a trap door to the cellar and forces a frightened Carrie down there to pray.

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.

At school the following day, Miss Gardner tells the girls they must all apologize to Carrie. Sue and the other girls tell Carrie that they are sorry but Chris refuses. Upset, Miss Gardner tells Chris that she will not be allowed to go to the prom. Chris promises that she's "gonna be sorry!" The rest of the girls leave and Carrie is left alone with Miss Gardner, who 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 and he agrees to go along, in return for her "appreciation."

Tommy surprises Carrie by knocking on her door and asking her to go to prom. Confused, Carrie asks "why me," but eventually agrees to go with him. Excited, Carrie tells her momma about the prom but Margaret tries to convince Carrie that all boys are the same: "demons." ("I Remember How Those Boys Could Dance") She wants Carrie to repent and pray for forgiveness, but Carrie has found new strength and refuses. She uses her supernatural powers to pin Margaret in her chair and sets her own hands aflame, telling her momma that "nothing you can say or do will ever stop me again."

Act II

The setting is a pig farm, where Chris, Billy, and several of his friends, are on a mission ("Out for Blood"). For their planned revenge on Carrie, they kill pigs and collect their blood. Back at the high school, Sue is confronted by girls who are upset that Carrie is going to the prom. "You're not one of us anymore, Sue," they tell her. 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 ("I'm Not Alone") and finally seems to be happy. In a more positive display of her special powers, she sends her dress, shoes, and hairbrush dancing through the air. Margaret tries one more time to convince Carrie not to go to the prom ("Carrie (Reprise)"), promising "we'll talk, we'll laugh, and I'll sing to you." But Carrie doesn't listen - she still has her dream that "they might like me." Tommy arrives and they leave for the prom, leaving Margaret alone ("When There's No One").

Tommy and Carrie arrive at the prom ("Wotta Night") and everyone is surprised at how beautiful Carrie is. Miss Gardner is there as a chaperone and talks to Carrie ("Unsuspecting Hearts (Reprise)") about how it feels to be in love. Carrie's nervous about dancing with Tommy but he finally convinces her to go out on the dance floor with him ("Heaven"). It's time to vote for the prom queen and king - Tommy wants to vote for them but Carrie resists ("Heaven (Reprise)"). Tommy finally convinces her and they win! Tommy and Carrie are the new king and queen of the prom. Tommy and Carrie get on the stage while the other students applaud and start to sing the school song ("Alma Mater").

Suddenly, Billy and Chris (who have snuck into the prom) rush toward the stage and Billy dumps a bucket of pig's blood over Carrie. Carrie goes crazy, remembering the names they have called her and how they all laughed at her ("The Destruction"). She tells them to "pray for your salvation" and then gets her revenge by using her telekinetic powers to collapse the gym roof, killing them all.

Carrie goes home, covered in blood, and falls into her mother's arms. Margaret comforts her daughter ("Carrie (2nd Reprise)"). Unexpectedly, Margaret pulls out a knife and stabs Carrie, delivering a fatal wound. Carrie uses her supernatural powers one last time and gives her momma a last, fatal touch causing her to fall dead. Carrie, close to her own death, crawls away and is comforted by Sue - the only student who wasn't at the prom.

Differences from the Book

* Billy and Chris run on stage and throw the blood on Carrie instead of dumping it from the ceiling.
* 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.
* Carrie meets her mother outside the school shortly after "The Destruction" in the musical. In the book Carrie walks to her house where her mother plans to kill her. Consequently the musical doesn't show Carrie's rampage on the rest of town.
* 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 Mrs. 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.

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
# "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

Cast

References

*Mandelbaum, Ken. "Not Since Carrie: Forty Years of Broadway Musical Flops". 1992. St. Martin Griffin.

External links

* [http://www.graiai.com/carrie2 Carrie The Musical Website]
*
* [http://theater2.nytimes.com/mem/theater/treview.html?_r=1&res=940DE7DA133FF930A25756C0A96E948260&oref=slogin "New York Times" review, May 13, 1988]
* [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE1D8163EF93BA35756C0A96E948260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2 "NewYork Times" article with history, May 8, 1988]