On stage, “unflinching tragedy,” brings awareness to bullying

Just in time for Halloween; “Carrie the Musical” comes to OKC

Just in time for Halloween, the OKC Theatre Company brings “Carrie the Musical” to the Oklahoma City Civic Center in the Music Hall’s Freede Theatre. Based on Stephen King's bestselling novel, this musical hadn't been seen since its legendary 1988 Broadway production until the show's original authors joined with director Stafford Arima (Altar Boyz) and MCC Theater for a newly reworked and fully re-imagined vision of this gripping tale.

Carriefeatures a libretto by Lawrence D. Cohen (screenwriter of the classic film), music by Academy Award winner Michael Gore (Fame, Terms of Endearment), and lyrics by Academy Award winner Dean Pitchford (Fame, Footloose).

OKC Theatre Company’s Artistic Director Rachel Irick could not be more excited about being one of the very first companies to bring the show to local audiences. “Our Production Manager Kory Kight-Pagala has been bugging me to do this show for years, so when we saw the rights were finally available, we jumped at the chance. It’s a perfect show for Halloween, and it fits the edgy, modern style of our company very well,” Irick said.

The script closely follows the iconic King novel. Carrie White (UCO theatre student Hannah McCumber), a misfit at school, is bullied relentlessly by the popular crowd, particularly a girl named Chris (UCO theatre student Sarah Rose). Carrie finds a friend in PhysEd teacher Ms. Gardner played by Krissy Jones. Ms. Gardner encourages Carrie to have the courage to attend the senior prom, but Chris makes it her personal mission to make Carrie the victim of a horrible prank. 

At home, Carrie finds herself at the mercy of her cruelly over-protective mother Margaret (Cory King). Carrie’s mother, a religious fanatic, twists scripture to justify her abuse, but once Carrie discovers she possesses a latent supernatural power, life begins to change for everyone. The play is seen through the eyes of Sue (OU School of Drama Student Michelle Owens) who is forced to either side with her popular friends or defend Carrie.

The issues Carrie raises was another reason OKCTC chose the show. Bullying, the torture that many helpless children and teens undergo on a daily basis at school, is dramatized with “unflinching tragedy” on stage. “We’re always trying to find ways to surprise our audience and bring social awareness in our community. That’s important to us. The show is not a morality play by any means, but it brings the cruelty of bullying to light—the tendency in our culture to separate ourselves from anyone who is seen as different and vilify them,” Irick said, “In the last moments of the play, a song lyric asks ‘what does it cost to be kind?’ That’s a timeless question and one we should all ask ourselves.”

Director Rodney Brazil directs the 16-member cast of community actors and local university students from both UCO and OU. Christopher Castleberry, acclaimed choreographer of Lyric’s “Rocky Horror Show” and the Pollard Theatre’s “Passing Strange,” brings his talents to the piece. Ten-year veteran of the Oklahoma City Public Schools, conductor Stephanie Keegan-Moring serves the production as Music Director.

Performances of “Carrie the Musical” will be presented at Civic Center Music Hall (201 N. Walker in downtown Oklahoma City) on Thursdays-Saturdays, October 17-November 1 at 8pm. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by calling (405) 297-2264. A $10 preview performance will be presented on October 16th. For more information, go to www.OKCTC.org.

The Gayly – October 8, 2014 @ 10:40am