There is a modern trend to remake something that was once a film into a Broadway musical. Sometimes it flops horribly (Spiderman, anyone?), chugs along with a shrug (Bullets Over Broadway), or is such a smash that it goes from the silver screen to the Great White Way and then back to the screen again in a new form (Hairspray).
For those adventurous folks looking for the next work of art to dive into this trend, here comes Carrie the Musical – a new musical whose story was created by Stephen King and made for the big screen (with Sissy Spacek) before decades later becoming one of the latest to attempt to win over a new generation with a twist on the old story.
As in the film version, Carrie White is a misfit who has a crazy but smothering mother at home and a school life resembling an outcast who's bullied by the popular crowd. To the world she is all but invisible until she discovers her special powers that set the genre and others on fire.
The musical, set in the present-day small town of Chamberlain, Maine, features a book 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).
See another trend or pattern above beginning to emerge with this show? All of these players connected with the creation of the musical version were around when original was made, so you can be sure this is going to be a spell-binding production from our local theatre company, who is also not afraid to present challenging works of art for our audience.
Bravo, Circle Theatre, for such a bloody good ending to your summer season!
Admission: $25 – 27. Specially priced $10 tickets available to Aquinas students.
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