GENESEO, N.Y. – The SUNY Geneseo Music Department’s opening production this semester will be the local premiere of “Carrie, the Musical,” coming to the Wadsworth Auditorium stage Jan. 18-22. The first four performances begin at 7:30 p.m. The Sunday matinee begins at 2 o’clock. Tickets are $15 for the general public, $10 for students and are available online.
The musical version of Stephen King’s bestselling contemporary horror novel “Carrie” made its Broadway debut in 1988 but was reprised featuring a book by playwright Lawrence D. Cohen, music by Academy Award winner Michael Gore and lyrics by Academy Award winner Dean Pitchford. Cohen also was screenwriter of the classic film.
This immersive production is music directed by Don Kot, director of the college’s Musical Theatre Program, with stage direction and choreography by Melanie Blood, professor of English and music.
“Carrie is the ultimate story of revenge for bullying,” said Blood. "Because Carrie has telekinetic powers, she wreaks terrible revenge, and leading us through this extreme example to see how unkindness to others really hurts everyone. Student actors have embraced the musical’s pop rock score and our immersive production aesthetic, bringing Carrie and her classmates vibrantly to life. I have also enjoyed the challenge of staging the story that relies so heavily on magical effects, in an environmental, black box setting.”
Designs for the production are by Brodie McPherson (scenery), Toni Elderkin (lighting), Laura Fox (costumes), and Dave LaDue (sound). The student cast is led by senior musical theatre major Nicole Eras as Carrie White, with junior vocal performance major Maria Floriano as Carrie’s mother Margaret Whit;, junior musical theatre major Jessica Murphy as Sue Snell; and senior theatre/English Major Ben Ranalli as Tommy Ross. Sophie Yeomans and Eric Leary play teachers in the small, Chamberlain, Maine High School, and Annie Levine and Ben Reiner play popular, mean spirited pranksters. Rounding out the cast are Katelyn Brooks, Maria Cento, Brett Hammes, Patrick Jones, Erica Milliman, and Brian Sousis.
Stage manager for the production is Julia Elizabeth and assistant stage manager is Tristan Strasser. Serving as assistant to the directors is Erin Burris.
Media Contact:
David Irwin
College Communications
(585) 245-5529
Irwin@geneseo.edu