ART/WNY to Present CARRIE, THE MUSICAL

Kicking off the 2015-16 season and the company's ninth season is the cult-classic novel made into a cult-classic film made into a cult-classic musical theater piece as American Repertory Theater of WNY presents CARRIE, THE MUSICAL. From the mind of Stephen King to the film directorial eyes of Brian DePalma to the musical creativity of Michael Gore, this is an ugly ducking turn prom queen who sees this dream turn into a "night we'll never forget" story.

Directed by WNY acting, directing and producing veteran Christopher Standart with Michael Hake as the music director (and who was recently recognized with a regional career achievement award) and great design team including choreographer Dominic Giambra, Kathryn Ludwig as lighting designer and costumes by Brandon Baranowski.

On the opportunity to direct this cult-classic musical, director Christopher Standart shared his views. "CARRIE, THE MUSICAL, has been a longtime obsession of mine and there's no better company than ART, with its penchant for edgy material, showcasing young talent, to produce it." Optimistic about the success of the production, "This will be a theatrical dream realized and a highlight of the Buffalo theater season."

The musical's ensemble is stocked with talent including regional award nominated Mary Coppola Gjurich as the memorable 'Mrs. White' with newcomer and rising star Marina Laurendi in the title role 'Carrie White'. Heather Reed will make her ART/WNY debut in the role as the nicknaming, gum-chewing 'Chris Hargensen' as Jenny McCabe returns to the company's stage (last seen in CRUCIBLE, 'Mary Warren') as the matchmaking 'Sue Snell'. Other ART/WNY alumni include Tim Goehrig (RUST BELT GROTESQUE) as 'Tommy Ross', Michael Wachowiak (BBAJ, HELLO AGAIN and SHINE) as 'George', Leacel Hillenbrand (CRUCIBLE and PICASSO AT LAPIN AGILE) as 'Fredia', and as 'Mr. Stephens'. Other talent making their ART/WNY debut include Emily Yancey as the gym instructor 'Mrs Gardner', Tyler Brown as 'Freddy', Nick Stevens as the plotting "Billy Nolan', Jasmine Fiero as 'Helen' and Kaylee LeRoy as 'Norma'.

In 1974 a struggling unpublished author by the name of Stephen King wrote a story about a high school girl who is bullied and repressed only to discover the power of telekinesis within and enact revenge on her tormentors. Initially only selling 30,000 copies with the first print, King's "Carrie" rose to greater literary stature and, befittingly, became one of the most banned books in high schools. Then in 1976 screen-play writer Lawrence D Cohen (credits including a screenplay for Peter Straub's novel "Ghost Story") adapted the novel and with legendary filmmaker Brian De Palma a feature film was made from the novel. The film starred Sissy Spacek as 'Carrie", along with Piper Laurie as 'Margaret White' (who both went on to receive Academy Award nominations) and notables John Travolta as 'Billy' and Betty Buckley as 'Miss Collins', and William Katt as 'Tommy'.

In 1981, Cohen with musical writer Michael Gore (with the music of "Fame" and underscoring for John Hughes' "Pretty in Pink" as part of his career) and lyricist Dean Pitchford (notable for the movie "Footloose" script ) developed a musical based on the novel, and through a series of workshops featuring Annie Golden as 'Carrie', Maureen McGovern as 'Mrs. White', Laurie Beechman as 'Mrs. Gardner', plans were set for a Broadway debut in 1986. Unfortunately, funding was not available to immediately launch the project.

Although nearly decapitating Barbara Cook ('Ms White') and constantly shorting Linzi Hateley's ('Carrie') body mic with fake blood, the Royal Shakespeare Company debuted the musical with a four-week tryout in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1988. Soon after, and the infusion of a hefty 8 million dollar budget, the musical shifted to American as CARRIE, THE MUSICAL saw its Broadway debut in 1988, but, although the show saw sell-outs every evening, the show only ran 16 previews and 5 performances.

Headed for the shelve of one of Broadway's greatest historical financial flops, 2012 saw a revised production through MCC Theater at the Lucille Lortel Theatre as this revival saw several original musical selections cut and the addition of new ones. This "new and improved" CARRIE, THE MUSICAL, through a limited engagement, saw 34 previews and 46 performances with healthy amounts of audience's praise and critical acclaim. Now going strong after two decades, CARRIE was indeed salvaged and is included among the non-book musical genre cult-classics.

CARRIE, THE MUSICAL will be presented in the Medialle College lecture hall and former performance space of Kaleidoscope Theatre Productions at 18 Aggassiz Circle, Buffalo. The opportunity to present in the space came after ART/WNY's departure from the ART in the Box space at 16 Linwood Avenue. "Wish I could say it was company's policy that our moving was a matter of it being harder to hit a moving target, but the reason we had to move is that the building was being sold for apartments." ART/WNY Executive Director Matthew LaChiusa said about the company's relocation. "The Buffalo Renaissance is great, historic, and the birth of the Medical Corridor is a tremendous economic boost, but any building within a half-mile of this construction will most likely be turned into condos and/or commercial retail space, leaving out cultural organizations".

The move to Medialle is a short-term solution for ART/WNY as the company has plans to move into a space located in the Black Rock/West Side area of Buffalo. "Right now we are in a hand-shake deal with a mover 'n' shaker businessman (not named Goldman) and have faith that we will see the 2015-16 and future seasons in this performance space." LaChiusa commented. "With that, we are happy to have a space to present the Curtain Up! show and work with a great college and a great theater company."

Tickets for CARRIE, THE MUSICAL are $25 general admission and $18 for students and military veterans. ART/WNY is offering a special online deal for $20 general admission and $15 for student and military veterans for a limited time as the deal ends on September 17th. Visit the online ticket source at http://carriethemusicalatart.bpt.me/ or call the ART box office at 716-634-1102 for more information. Also visit ART/WNY on Facebook for updates, promo pics and actor comments regarding the production by going to https://www.facebook.com/ARTOFWNY

Showdates are September 17th-20th; 24th-26th; 1st-4th; 9th-10th with showtimes for Thursday through Saturdays at 8:00 pm and the two Sunday shows at 7:00 pm. House opens half-hour before showtime.

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