CARRIE Rock Musical Plays Vancouver's Jericho Arts Centre, Now thru Oct 25

CARRIE, the cult rock musical based on Stephen King's breakout novel will bow in Vancouver this fall at the Jericho Arts Centre. The production marks the show's Canadian regional premier, led by a cast of rising Vancouver talents.

The musical features music by Michael Gore, and lyrics by Dean Pitchford, who collaborated on the score for FAME. Lawrence D. Cohen supplies the show's book, after previously adapting the screenplay for the original film version of the tale (directed by Brian DePalma).

Set in the rural community of Chamberlain, Maine, CARRIE concerns the story of Carrie White, a misunderstood 17 year old outcast. At school she is tormented by her peers, and at home she is at the mercy of her religious fanatic mother, until she discovers that she has a special gift, telekenisis, and if pushed too far she's not afraid to use it.

First seen in Stratford-Upon-Avon in 1988, CARRIE transferred across the pond to New York, bowing as the first show in the 1988 Broadway season. It closed on Broadway after just sixteen previews and five performances, sealing it's fate as a title of fascination and lore to theatre fans. The show was not seen again until 2009, when the writers came together to revisit the piece, and a reading was presented in New York generating a new interest in the title.

CARRIE re-appeared as a successful off-Broadway production, directed by Stafford Arima, under the auspices of the MCC Theatre Company in a revised form featuring several new songs. This time around, the show garnered more favourable reviews, and a stronger fan base. It is this revised version that comes to Vancouver, in an all-new intimate production under the helm of director Ryan Mooney.

The Jericho Arts Centre provides a unique, intimate environment to experience the show, which promises plenty of thrills and chills. Mooney's unique production will be enhanced by the efforts of musical director Caitlin Hayes, and choreographer Grace Newson.

Leading the cast of CARRIE are Ranae Miller as the titular character, with Sabrina Prada as her mother, Margaret White. Other cast members include: Tegan Verheul (Sue Snell), Emily Canavan (Chris Hargensen), Keri Smith (Ms. Gardner), Riley Qualteri (Tommy Ross), Ben Bilodeau (Billy Nolan), Erin Walker, Jessica Hood, Emma Wong, Jeremy Fornier-Hanlon, Evan Kascak, and Ross Foster, and Scott McGrath.

CARRIE is produced in Vancouver by Fighting Chance Productions, in association with Nathan Gardner, Danny Brooke, and Renegade Productions, and is presented through special arrangement with the Rogers and Hammerstein Organization.

CARRIE: THE MUSICAL, with Music by Michael Gore, Lyrics by Dean Pitchford and Book by Lawrence D. Cohen, will run today, October 7-25, 2014, at Jericho Arts Centre, 1675 Discovery Street, Vancouver, BC. Tickets range from $20.00-35.00 and are now on sale at www.ticketstonight.ca. For more information, see www.ScaryWhiteYVR.com.