Police Department Cleanup, Carrie The Musical This Weekend in South Orange

If you are looking for some fun and exciting weekend activities for the family, there are plenty of local events to choose from.

SOPD Headquarters Community Cleanup

Carrie The Musical

This weekend is your last chance to catch InterACT's production of Carrie: The Musical at the Baird Theatre in South Orange. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Click here for tickets.

“It’s a fun show for audiences, but people will also leave with a lot to think about,” said actor Racheal Owens, who plays Carrie.

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..

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.

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.”

Insomnia Theater

Bow Tie Cinemas in South Orange has recently introduced "Insomnia Theater,” a film series that focuses on classic movies. They are shown at 11:30pm on Friday and Saturday nights. Prices are $5.50 and $4.50 if you have the Clear Advantage Card or Criterion card which is
free to receive from the box office.

This week, Oct. 25th and 26th they will be showing Ghostbusters and will be having a special guest the "North Jersey Ghostbusters." They are a local group who attend events dressed as Ghostbusters. They take pictures with guests and are a really fun group.

SCREAM: An Evening With Edgar Allan Poe and His Ladies

Studio B, a Maplewood and South Orange performing arts organization featuring local artists, will be presenting a Halloween show depicting the works of Edgar Allan Poe.

"SCREAM: An Evening With Edgar Allan Poe and His Ladies" debuts at the Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts, 10 Durand Road in Maplewood, on Saturday, Oct. 26. Tickets are $20.

Halloween isn’t all about candy, Studio B reminds us. Every October is the chance to celebrate all things creepy and villainous. Scream will take the audience off-roading through the emotional terrain of the women in Poe’s life.

“If there is a grandfather of the Halloween season, it’s Poe,” said Marcy Thompson, co-founder of Studio B. “This is when we give ourselves the chance to go to the dark side.”