Westchester County Students to Present CARRIE at WPPAC, 4/24-26

Carrie the Musical is an electrifying pop-rock musical based on the Stephen King novel about a bullied teenager with telekinetic powers who takes revenge on prom night. Set today, in the small town of Chamberlain, Maine, Carrie the Musical includes music by Academy Award-winning composer Michael Gore, lyrics by Academy Award-winning lyricist Dean Pitchford, and a book by Carrie film screenwriter Lawrence D. Cohen.

Carrie White is a misfit. At school, she's an outcast who's bullied by the popular crowd, and virtually invisible to everyone else. At home, she's at the mercy of her loving but cruelly over-protective mother. But Carrie's just discovered she's got a special power, and if pushed too far, she's not afraid to use it.

This show includes true-to-life depictions of high school, especially the pressures teenagers feel to fit in and depictions of high-school bullying. The character of Carrie is driven to the edge and lashes out because of the extreme bullying she experiences both at home and at school. The themes of the show have resonated strongly with the cast. "The show takes place in high school. This could be us. This is real life for us right now." says Penelope Deen, who plays Helen. Ava Bradlow, who plays the title character, Carrie, recognizes how high schoolers become vulnerable when they stand up for one another. "There's this unspoken risk in being nice or generous or sympathetic towards anyone who seems helpless. [If you help them you] become a target." Max Temkin, who plays Freddy, states, "It shows a 'no way out' kind of situation. That's sometimes what high school is. We get support from peers, teachers, and we try to make the best of our own unique situations. The way Carrie did it is just a little bit unorthodox . . ."

The cast features the talents of Alex Arlotta, Penelope Deen, Mary DelVecchio, Jenna Goldberg, Rose Hornyak, Temia Innamorato, Ties Jansen, Maeve Elyse Kraiger, David C. Littlefield, Elana Mariani, Amanda Montgomery, Casey O'Donnell, Gabrielle Paige, Zack Tashoff, Max Temkin, Rachel Weisbart and Ava Bradlow as Carrie.

The production is directed by Jonathan Johnson, music direction by Paul Loman and choreography by Lexie Fennell Frare with scenic design by Madeleine Maloy, lighting design by Kyle Stormes, sound design by Scott Tunkel and costume design by Kiah Vidyarthi.

Carrie the Musical performs on Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25 at 8pm and Sunday, April 26 at 2pm at the White Plains Performing Arts Center located on the third level of City Center off Mamaroneck Avenue in downtown White Plains. Tickets are $20 and $25. Carrie the Musical contains strong language and mature subject matter. Parental discretion is advised.

Carrie the Musical is a production of the White Plains Performing Arts Center Conservatory Theatre with actors between the ages of 13-18.

For tickets: visit the theatre box office Monday-Friday (11am-6pm), purchase the tickets online at www.wppac.com or call 914-328-1600. For Group Sales, please contact barbara@wppac.com