Carrie: The Musical at Arts Bonita

Carrie: The Musical is a chilling rock musical based on Stephen King’s groundbreaking 1974 debut novel, which cemented his legacy as the master of modern horror. The story follows Carrie White, a bullied teenage girl with a deeply religious mother, who discovers she has telekinetic powers—leading to an unforgettable night of vengeance after she is humiliated at her senior prom.

With a score by Academy Award–winning composer Michael Gore (Fame, Terms of Endearment) and lyrics by Academy Award–winning librettist Dean Pitchford (Fame, Footloose), the show blends emotionally charged ballads with pulse-pounding rock numbers. From its gripping opening (“In”) to its heart-stopping title song, Carrie: The Musicaldelivers an intense theatrical experience that fuses horror and humanity in equal measure.

The musical has enjoyed a storied history—gaining cult status after its infamous 1988 Broadway debut and finding renewed life in its acclaimed 2012 revival. Its pop-culture legacy even reached television audiences when Riverdalefeatured it in a memorable musical episode, further cementing its place as a modern theatre phenomenon.

This new production is directed by Kody C. Jones (Jesus Christ Superstar, The Boy from Block 66, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), whose sharp visual storytelling and nuanced approach to character bring fresh urgency to the piece, drawing audiences deep into the claustrophobic tension of high school hallways and the terror of a prom night gone wrong. Joining the creative team are Arts Bonita veterans Rosalind Metcalf (Music Director) and Eric Ortiz (Choreographer)

Praised for its “haunting and nuanced” character work and “mesmerizing” title number, the show is as tragic as it is thrilling—an electrifying reminder that even the quietest voices can shake the world.

CONTENT WARNING: Carrie is based on Stephen King’s horror novel and is intended for mature audiences. It includes depictions of bullying, religious extremism, homophobic slurs, violence, and death, as well as discussions of menstruation, sexual assault, and group violence in a school setting.