Racheal Owens, who portrays Carrie in interACT Theatre Productions’ presentation of Carrie: The Musical, recalls seeing the off-Broadway production. “I just fell in love with it.” She’s falling in love with the show again this October in the title role that brings the scary to Carrie.
interACT’s production, happening this weekend and next at the Baird Theatre in South Orange, is making a lot of bold choices in this version for community theatre. (Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Friday/Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday until October 27. Tickets by clicking http://interactproductions.tix.com/Schedule.aspx?OrgNum=2779
“It’s a fun show for audiences, but people will also leave with a lot to think about,” Owens said.
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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.
On Saturday night, the cast set out to local movie theatres to see the remake of the film. The film is getting so-so marks. “Luckily, I get to go back to the theater tomorrow and watch our cast do the story some major justice,” Clarey said.
While Carrie has the power, her mother, portrayed by Melissa Loderstedt Timpson will make your heart stop.
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More than just a horror story, Carrie provides food for thought for today’s audiences.
“It’s interesting to look at the idea of blame in this story, because there are so many characters at fault and so many people who carry some responsibility for the downward turn of events at the end of the play,” said actress Patrina Caruana, who plays Sue Snell. “Carrie’s classmates are terrible to her, but as my character, Sue, says, ‘We were just kids.’ I think that there were a lot of opportunities for the adults in Carrie’s life tochange the course of events, but that just never happens.”
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.”
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.
