Health & Fitness
In Time for Halloween, Carrie: The Musical
By Katrina Medoff
interACT Theatre Productions will present Carrie: The Musical, a production based on Stephen King’s horror novel, at The Baird Theatre three weekends in October. Tickets are now on sale at www.interactproductions.org.
The Baird Theatre is located at 5 Mead Street, South Orange. The performance dates are October 11-13, October 18-20, and October 25-27, with Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for students (with ID) and seniors (60+). This production is not recommended for patrons under 16 years of age.
The performances come just in time for Halloween. Adapted from Stephen King’s classic novel, Carrie: The Musical focuses on a misfit with telekinetic powers who is bullied by her classmates and oppressed by her fanatically religious mother. After being humiliated by her classmates at the prom, Carrie destroys everything in her path.
Carrie: The Musical is directed by Nicholas J. Clarey. Music direction is by Holland Jancaitis. Sabrina Santoro stage managed the production along with Assistant Stage Manager Heidi Hart. The musical has a book by Lawrence D. Cohen, lyrics by Dean Pitchford, and music by Michael Gore.
“This is a show that most of our audience will be unfamiliar with, and we’re making a lot of bold choices to create a show that our audience will respond to viscerally,” Clarey said.
The production stars Racheal Owens (Carrie White), Marcello Padilla (Tommy), Patrina Caruana (Sue), Katrina Medoff (Norma), Mark J. Parker (George), Melissa Timpson (Margaret White), Brendan Joel Bartlett (Billy), Shona Roebuck (Chris), Doreen Oliver (Miss Gardener), David Wren-Hardin (Mr. Stevens/Reverend Bliss), Ann Alfano (Frieda), Lawrence Dandridge (Freddy), Rikkie Miscia (Helen), Alex Schuetz (Stokes) and ensemble members Holly Joyce Lehren, Kayla Stewart, Levil Shawn DaCosta, Tasha Williams and Heidi Hart.
“We are so excited to present this piece with such talented performers,” said Music Director Holland Jancaitis. “That’s what I keep telling everybody—you have to see this cast.”
More than just a horror story, Carrie provides food for thought for today’s audiences.
Carrie: The Musical has been fully revised and re-imagined since its 1988 Broadway production. After an exciting Off-Broadway run in 2012, this musical is just beginning to be performed for local and regional audiences.
“I saw the Off-Broadway production several times and just fell in love with it,” said Racheal Owens, who plays Carrie in the interACT version. “It’ll be a fun show for audiences, but people will also leave with a lot to think about.”
About interACT Theatre Productions
interACT Theatre Productions is a theatre of the community in South Orange, NJ. It is the resident theatre at The Baird. Founded in 2009, interACT is currently in its fifth season and will be presenting Carrie: The Musical, The Importance of Being Earnest, Father of the Bride, and Into the Woods for 2013-2014. Past productions include The Crucible, The Full Monty, and Plaza Suite. interACT is committed to building strong ties within the community by producing thought-provoking plays and musicals that challenge stereotypes and prejudices. interACT’s mission is to create a community theatre that is both inclusive and accessible to its participants and audiences. For information, please call (973) 544-8489, email info@interactproductions.org, or visit www.interactproductions.org.
