Feature: CARRIE THE MUSICAL at Utah Repertory Theater Company

Utah Repertory Theater Company announces the regional premiere of the thrilling musical adaptation of the Stephen King bestseller, "Carrie: The Musical."

Audiences will uniquely be transported into the middle of the action, with a prime seat at Carrie White's prom.

"Audiences will become a part of the storyline," says Utah Rep Artistic Director Johnny Hebda, the director of "Carrie." "From the moment they walk into the converted theater space, they will instantly be engrossed into Carrie's Chamberlain High School. They will sit on bleachers, the lobby will indicate the remains of the destruction from the night before, and they will be a part of the crime scene. Dead students will roam the space, as spirits trapped in the school, and the audience together with the deceives will piece together the events as told from the lone survivor Sue, leading up to the crime scene they just entered. This will be a unique experience for audience members, and in the same vein as going to a haunted house, will be active participants rather than distant observers of the production."

Hebda says he finds the storyline of "Carrie" to be "fascinating and thought-provoking."

"The music is powerful and emotional, and it adds an element of intensity to the classic," he says. "I believe audiences will be surprised at how moved they are by the story. The message combined with the unique vehicle to share the message I found very interesting and challenging. And I am setting it in modern day and preserving the integrity of the Stephen King's novel. It is a very dark story and deals with heavy subject matter include bullying and abuse. There are supernatural elements to the story but they are only an element of the production, not the focus."

"Carrie" will be staged at the Gateway Mall, across from the Discovery Gateway Museum, for this immersive audience staging.

Why was "Carrie" selected for production by Utah Rep?

"This theater company is known for bringing Utah premieres and contemporary Broadway musicals to the state," Hebda explains. "I have always been attracted to the edgier/younger brand of musical theater and find that 'Carrie' attracts the up-and-coming theater crowd.

"The electric musical style of 'Carrie' with teen angst numbers are what I connect with. 'Carrie' is much in the style of similar contemporary musicals like 'Spring Awakening,' 'Bare,' and 'Rent'-much closer to a rock score," he says. "This was combined with wanting to capitalize on the Halloween season. I felt it to be the perfect selection for our season."

PERFORMANCE DATES:
Friday, Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m.;
Saturday, Oct. 31, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.;
Sunday, Nov. 1, 3 p.m.;
Thursday, Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m.;
Friday, Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m.;
Saturday, Nov. 7, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.;
Thursday, Nov. 12, 7:30 p.m.;
Friday, Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m.;
Saturday, Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.;
Sunday, Nov. 15, 3 p.m.

PERFORMANCE VENUE:
The Gateway Mall, 90 S. Rio Grande St., Salt Lake City

COST:
$15-$18 in advance; $17-$20 at door

TICKETS:
UtahRep.org/tickets