THERE WILL BE BLOOD. . .
REVIEW: CARRIE: THE KILLER MUSICAL EXPERIENCE
BY RYAN M. LUÉVANO
The L.A. production of Carrie is raw, electrifying and scathingly dark—everything you would expect from a musical based on a book by Stephen King. With book by Lawrence D. Cohen, lyrics by Dean Pitchford, and music by Michael Gore, the original Broadway production officially opened on May 12, 1988 and closed on May 15 after only 16 previews and 5 performances. The reviews of the musical were completely unfavorable, due to the musical’s cheap thrills, and “faceless bubble-gum music” all aspects that were openly embraced and maximized by this production, turning this musical flop into a theater experience that literally pushes you into the world of the outcast Carrie White.
The producers put together a fantastic production team; every aspect of this show was well conceived and masterfully executed. Director Brandy Schwind’s reimagined staging brought this show to life on a completely new level. The show makes its home at the historic Los Angeles Theatre built in 1931, and what’s more the production constructs a theatre within a theatre.
They’ve removed seats from the main auditorium and built above creating a theatre in the round atmosphere with stacked wooden bleachers like you might find in a high-school gym. Additionally, the immersive theatre concept is taken a step further as four main floor sections are completely moveable, with the audience sitting on them. Throughout the show the audiences’ perspectives are constantly changing as their seats move in real-time around the drama. With all of this you get the sense that you are part of the action itself, a spectator in a modern-day Colosseum bearing witness to the bloody venatio (animal hunt).
The choreography by Lee Martino is sharp, energetic and creative. With an ensemble made of high school cheerleaders and students the choreography is full of unyielding teen angst and topsy-turvy hormones. The dance numbers “In”, “The World According To Chris”, and “A Night We’ll Never Forget” are a series of high-powered routines that generate a whirlwind motion around the audience—full-throttle ordered chaos and excitement.
The cast of Carrie is expressive, raw and thoroughly engaging, not a weak link among them. Kayla Parker reprises her role as Sue Snell from the spring 2015 La Mirada Theatre production performing the role with focus, compassion and strong impassioned vocal ability. Parker exhibits her mighty voice among the ensemble numbers and offers something sweet in “Once You See” and “Epilogue.”
Tommy (Jon Robert Hall) is the typical good-looking football star who is a closet poet and dreamer. Hall performs this dynamic role with ease and finesse—his vocals are powerful, warm and husky throughout. The duet “You Shine” between Parker and Hall is genuinely heart-felt, a fantastic example of their on stage chemistry. Carrie’s puritanical mother Margaret White (Misty Cotton) performs the challenging songs “And Eve Was Weak” “Evening Prayers” and “When There’s No One” with a booming voice that fills the space beautifully.
Carrie (Emily Lopez) is a role of complete transformation: powerless to powerful. Lopez’s performance as Carrie is unforgettable; she embodies everything the character is facing and bears everything on stage for all to see. As a singer, her voice is potent and purposeful—Lopez plays for keeps! The songs “Carrie” and “You Shine” exhibit her soaring voice that culminates with “The Destruction.” The lines “. . . I’m okay, I will not cry. I tried so hard to play their game . . .” act as the springboard for her new beginning, and the bloodbath at the prom that leaves the audience in awe.
WHAT ABOUT THE MUSIC DIRECTOR?
Brian P. Kennedy leads this talented cast and the 7-piece band from the keyboard. The music direction in this show is crisp and precise, every note is accounted for and every word is clear. Each of the numerous chorus sections with multi-part harmony are sonorous and satisfying.
Emily Lopez. Photo Credit: Jason Niedle.
Carrie is the everything you want in a dark musical: bloody, exciting, and a wild ride worth taking. Experience Carrie at the historic Los Angeles Theatre this fall and an added bonus—you can explore the lower levels of the theatre and see the spooky displays inspired by the musical. For more information and tickets visit: www.experiencecarrie.com.
