A co-production with the Balagan Theatre and Seattle Theatre Group, the musical plays the Moore Theatre in Seattle, WA, through Oct. 26. Balagan Theatre artistic director Louis Hobson directs the production, which utilizes the revised script featured in the 2012 Off-Broadway MCC run.
The cast also includes Kendra Kassebaum (Wicked, Leap of Faith) as Lynn Gardner, Keaton Whittaker (A Little Night Music) as Carrie, Larissa Schmitz as Sue Snell, Kody Bringman as Tommy Ross, Tessa Archer as Chris Hargensen, Andrew Brewer as Billy Nolan, Brian Lange as Mr. Stephens/Reverend Bliss, Erin Herrick as Norma, Frederick Hagreen as George, Alexandria Henderson as Helen, Melissa Maricich as Freida, Eli Wills as Stokes and Riley Neldam as Freddy with Trent J. Moury, Sheady Manning, Erich Schleck, Isaiah Parker, Rosie Smith, Alana Morrison, Victoria Knight and Dakota Daley.
In a previous statement artistic director Hobson said, "I was involved in the workshop process of the recent MCC revival and it is exciting to return to the material with this amazing mix of top NYC and Seattle talent." Lawrence Cohen, book writer of Carrie, added, "As the authors of Carrie Michael, Dean and I are absolutely thrilled that Balagan Theatre and this amazing cast will be introducing our musical to Seattle. We can't wait to see it!"
The creative team features music director R.J. Tancioco, choreographer Daniel Cruz, set and lighting designer Tom Sturge, costume designer Kathryn Dawson, production manager Danielle Franich, stage manager Louise Butler, associate music director Chris Ranney, assistant director Kelsey Thorgalsen and assistant lighting designer Tristan Roberson. In recent years, the original writing team of Academy Award-winning composer Michael Gore ("Fame," "Terms of Endearment"), Academy Award-winning lyricist Dean Pitchford ("Fame," "Footloose") and "Carrie" film screenwriter Lawrence D. Cohen returned to work on Carrie, which was an infamous 1988 Broadway flop. The 2012 Off-Broadway production by MCC Theater, which featured additional songs and revisions, focused less on the darker horror aspects of the tale and emphasized the effects of teen bullying and school politics.
The musical centers on the tale of a tormented high school teenager, Carrie White, who discovers she has telekinetic powers. The young girl must cope with a fanatically religious mother and her own coming of age. When her friends push her too far on prom night, they find out how destructive bullying can be.
That role of Margaret White was originated on Broadway by Tony winner Betty Buckley and more recently played Off-Broadway by Tony nominee Marin Mazzie.
For more information visit balagantheatre.org.
