The Horror Musical Lives on with 'Carrie'
In 1988 there was a short lived musical based on Stephen King's novel and Brian DePalma's 1976 film Carrie. Carrie: The Musical, which at the time cost a staggering 7+ million to produce, divided audiences and was a critical failure. It played only 16 preview shows and 5 'official' performances before it was shut down.
Since the 80's, this failed horror musical has attained legendary cult status, and for YEARS there has been talk of a revival. Today, we're one step closer to seeing it happen. Playbill has recently announced casting for a scheduled read through of Carrie: The Musical in Manhattan. Hit the jump for more info on Carrie: The Musical and a quick trip down horror musical memory lane.
According to Playbill, Tony Award winner Sutton Foster and Tony nominees Marin Mazzie and Jennifer Damiano will take part in the industry presentation. Stafford Arima (Altar Boyz,Tin Pan Alley Rag, Somewhere in Time, London's Ragtime) will direct the 29-hour Equity reading that will take place in Manhattan Nov. 20.
The reading will feature Foster (Shrek, Thoroughly Modern Millie) as gym teacher Ms. Gardner, Mazzie (Passion, Ragtime) as Margaret White, Molly Ranson (August: Osage County) as Carrie, Damiano (Next to Normal, Spring Awakening) as Sue, American Idol finalist Diana DeGarmo (Hairspray, The Toxic Avenger) as Chris, Matt Doyle (Spring Awakening, Bye Bye Birdie) as Tommy and John Arthur Greene (West Side Story) as Billy.
It's still going to be a while before we see another full-fledged stage production for Carrie, but this is certainly a step in the right direction.
I've always wondered what it would have been like, sitting in that audience, 1988, as the shit hits the fan in the high school gym...and everyone is singing.
Horror and musicals seem to have gone hand in hand over the years (in film and on stage) with shows like Rocky Horror, Little Shop of Horrors, Sweeney Todd, and these...
Two shows (among many) that I'd like to see made? A full puppet musical of Dracula: A Taste of Love as seen in Forgetting Sarah Marshall and speaking of Brian DePalma his 1974 rock 'n roll horror musical Phantom of the Paradise is just SCREAMING to be made into a live stage show.
