Book By: Lawrence D. Cohen

Lyrics By: Dean Pitchford

Music By: Michael Gore

Adapted From: Stephen King's “Carrie”

TIME

Now

SETTING

Chamberlain, Maine

DATES

March 9 - 10 & March 22 - 25 @ 8pm. Elizabeth Evans Baker Theater located in Kantner Hall.

American Sign Language interpreted performance on Thursday 3/23.

Talk-back after the show on Thursday 3/23.

TRIGGER WARNING

Carrie the Musical is based off the classic Stephen King novel and as such contains depictions of blood, child abuse, bullying, and fire.

It also contains mentions of rape, attempted rape, and animal cruelty.

If you or anyone you know is struggling, please know that, unlike Carrie, you are not alone.

National Domestic Violence Hotline

800-799-7233

National Sexual Assault Hotline

1-800-656-4673

Bullying Crisis Hotline

Text HOME to 741741

“Be kinder than necessary for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.”

SYNOPSIS

Adapted from Stephen King's 1974 novel Carrie, the musical focuses on an awkward teenage girl with telekinetic powers whose lonely life is dominated by an oppressive religious fanatic mother. When she is humiliated by her classmates at the high school prom, she unleashes chaos on everyone and everything in her path.

A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR

It has been seventeen years since I graduated from high school and very little has changed. There are still cliques and bullying, and somehow, fashion trends are repeating themselves. So, how much has changed in the forty-nine years since Sue graduated high school? The answer is, not much. That’s because the high school experience, like this story, is universal. Carrie herself is based on two young women Stephen King went to high school with and I challenge you not to see yourself in someone on this stage.

When the curtain opens tonight you will not see the class of 1974, but the class of 2023. You will see Carrie and her mother dressed like 16th century protestants, but you will also see cell phones, ring lights, and skateboards. This show is happening now and could be at any high school in America. “What does it cost to be kind?” rings out as the timeless theme, no matter the decade.

The novel and the film both use the medium in which they exist (page and screen) to make high drama and horror. Tonight, you are seeing Carrie on a stage, and I implore you to view it in theatrical terms. If you accept learning from laughter in musical comedy, accept learning from fear in musical horror. If you let Jekyll turn to Hyde and Mrs. Lovett make pies, let Carrie have telekinesis. All of these fantastical elements are based in honesty. The honest needs of the character experiencing them. And what is scarier than the truth?

I don’t want to reveal too much on the off chance that some of you reading this are unfamiliar with the plot. I would also like to let the work that Tantrum Theater and I have done speak for itself. But, I will leave you with a quote directly from the novel to set the tone for your evening.

“No one was really surprised when it happened, not really, not at the subconscious level where savage things grow.”

What does your subconscious know?

Victoria Rae Sook, Director

Carrie, The Musical, adapted from Stephen King's 1974 novel and made into a memorable movie in 1976, the original 1988 stage production became theater legend as one of the biggest flops on Broadway, running five performances. In spite of that rocky beginning, the show gained a cult following and in 2012 an off-Broadway production made significant revisions to the show, producing the version you will see on our stage. The primary message about the damage teenage bullying does to young people is still as relevant today as it was almost 50 years ago.

We are thrilled to welcome Victoria Rae Sook* as Director and Choreographer of Carrie. Victoria comes to us from New York City as does our guest actor playing Margaret White, Carrie’s mother, Jessie MacBeth*. Supporting our production is a creative team of Tantrum professional guest artists (*), School of Theater Alumni (+) faculty and students: Brent Frederick, Music Director, new faculty member Mariya Radeva-Nedyalkova, Costume Designer, and 3rd year graduate students Alexandra Pio, Scenic Designer, Alejandro Ridolfi, Lighting Designer, Simon Marland, Sound Designer. Joining them are Ohio native Ryan Belock*, Video/Projection Designer, (also from New York City) and graduate student Nicole Hankins, Technical Director. Rounding out our team are Miranda Korieth*+, Stage Manager, Fior Tat*+, Deck Manager, Molly Walsh*, Costume Draper, Jacob Brown*+, Scenic Artist, Devin Sudman*, Assistant Music Director, Andrew Krag*, Guitar 1, Erik Anderson*, Guitar 2, Grace Easterday, Props, and Bear Alvarez, Set Dresser. 

Carrie marks the final production of our inaugural class of the Musical Theater BFA. This cast is bursting with talent from 1st year to 4th year BFA musical theater students.

We are delighted to announce that for the 2023-2024 season faculty member Ally Poole will become Artistic Director of Tantrum Theater, after serving as Associate Artistic Director this season.  Michael Lincoln has served as Artistic Director since 2018. After an 8-year term as Director the School of Theater, he retired in 2020, and continues work as theatrical lighting designer and as a new Athens County Master Gardener. 

Break a leg, Ally!  

In 2023-2024, Tantrum will present Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Or What You Will and 9 to 5, the Musical, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, created in 2008 and based on a 1980 movie of the same name. 

Continuing Tantrum educational offerings include upcoming productions by the Athens Middle School Drama Club this spring and soon to be announced summer theater camp opportunities, which will be available at www.ohio.edu/fine-arts/tantrum-theater/education

We look forward to continuing opportunities for conversation, collaboration, and inspiration. 

Thank you for joining us! 

Michael Lincoln                               Josh Coy     

Artistic Director                               Producing Director

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Tantrum Theater is proud to have the support from the following sponsors, without whose support, this performance would not have been possible: The National Endowment for the Arts , The Ohio Arts Council, Ohio Humanities, College of Fine Arts Community Fund

HOW TO REACH US

Tantrum Theater 

19 South College Street

1 Ohio University

Athens, Ohio  45701

740.593.4818

Email: [email protected]

FIRE NOTICE

Illuminated signs above each door indicate
emergency exits. Please check for the nearest
exit. In the event of an emergency, you will be
notified by theater personnel and assisted in
the evacuation of the building.

SEATING POLICY 

Everyone must have a ticket. Sorry, no
children in arms or on laps. Patrons who
leave the theater during the performance
will be reseated at the discretion of house
management. Those who become disruptive
will be asked to leave the theater.

ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES

The Elizabeth Evans Baker Theater in Kantner Hall is
fully accessible to those with mobility issues.
When booking tickets, please let our Box
Office know if you require a ticket that will
accommodate a wheelchair. Please call Ledger
Free, Director of Audience Services, at 917-
733-0081 if you need any assistance during
your visit. We are here to help you!