Broadway Producers Putting Together Fall Reading of CARRIE: THE MUSICAL- Page 9

[Pgenre]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 3:51pm

I'm split on Walsh... she was divine in her solo musical portion of INNER VOICES last year, but her work in FWC was far from great.

I still think it's Ripley's role, and I am positively SHOCKED that she is not involved with this reading, particularly since she has been a vocal advocate of this score for years and years and even recorded (and titled the album) "Unsuspecting Hearts" with Emily Skinner.

I think it would be tons of fun to have Alice as Margaret and Emily as Miss Gardener and at matinees they could switch roles! A pipe dream, I know, but I think it could be pretty amazing. And I am NOT usually a fan of either unless in the absolute IDEAL role (Ripley as Amy and Skinner as Mae West/DIRTY BLONDE come to mind) which I think Margaret definitely is for Ripley, and may be for Skinner as well, and I would LOVE to hear Skinner do Miss Gardener.

P

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 4:02pm

Alice Ripley would be a great Margaret - but I'm not sure vocally she's up for it at the moment. Her voice was in tatters at Next To Normal last week

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 4:03pm

Aside from her crazy religious mom she doesn't have much going against her for them to not like her in the first place.

Carrie was described in the book as not only physically unattractive both in her dress and appearance (she was described as overweight, pimply, greasy/unwashed/unkempt and at times, smelled of BO), but she also had a history of social awkwardness cultivated by her upbringing, ignorance, and gullibility. Sure, the kids knew about her crazy mother, but the main reason for the consistent and unending torture was her inability to assimilate or adapt socially or physically with anyone else. She did not have a single friend or confidant. Carrie had absolutely EVERYTHING going against her. It's how King was able to get us to sympathize with the character and ultimately support her as a protagonist and he convincingly sells her vengeful rampage as justifiable.

I said that she's feeling accepted and beautiful by just being asked to the prom to begin with. Yes, she's elated during the entire prom scene. She's at the prom with a great date, and believes that yes, she could and was elected prom queen. The way the script was written certainly led me to believe that Carrie would be the type of girl who fantasizes quite a bit and would be happy beyond belief that she was prom queen.

And that is exactly the elation that needs a song to replace "I'm Not Alone", which just didn't work that her power was suddenly her new best friend while recreating the dress-making sequence in Disney's Cinderella. That song should have reflected her belief that for the very first time, she has finally been socially accepted. For her power, she needs a song of wonderment and discovery in the first act followed by a reprise briefing her newly found confidence.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 4:04pm

I agree with MB on that! Idve pegged her for Margaret 3 years ago, but not anytime soon.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 4:22pm

See, I pegged Emily Skinner for Margaret the moment I saw her in The Full Monty and I heard she was very strong in Witches of Eastwick.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 4:32pm

I'm sure she could do it, but isnt her belt a bit lower than Margaret needs?

I wouldve LOVED to have seen that Eastwick!! I love that score, her and Noll.

[THDavis]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 6:34pm

I could see Alice as definitely being the more intense version of Margaret. It wouldn't be as operatic as Barbara but it feel it'd definitely give it that scary dynamic you'd want to see from the audience.

Off topic: Does anyone have any of the audio recordings I could take? PM me?

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 9:43pm

This certainly is bringing out the bone dusters. Yes, I'd be curious to see it for the sake of seeing just how bad so much of it was. Ironically, I had a chance to see the last Saturday preview before it opened and then poohed-poohed the idea that I could see it some "later" time. Oh, well, at least I got to see Eve Arden in Moose Murders -- the first of two performances she gave before getting out.

[Pgenre]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 10:23pm

I've never seen this logo/ show poster before... hmmm... perhaps the British musical tie-in edition of the novel? The American musical tie-in reprint of the novel had a picture similar to that of the NOT SINCE CARRIE book (minus the smile!), no?

P
Take CARRIE to the prom!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 11:49pm

I've never seen that poster, Pgenre. My guess is that its either fan made or was something put together for one of the illegal college productions.

The other poster you describe, that used the photo from the cover of the Not Since Carrie book was also fan made.

The novel tie in featured the same logo as the Broadway poster.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/29/09 at 10:53am

I loved the original poster design, which utilized the same logo as the RNC production. I've been trying for years to get the Broadway poster and Playbill with no luck at all.

[Pgenre]

Posted: 10/29/09 at 12:59pm

They have a copy of the poster at Colony for $250 or at least did a year ago when I last checked.

Someone once told me that this Dewynters design is much like theirs for MISS SAIGON in that there are some hidden images.

I can only see two things: the left side of a girl's face, her eye with the tear; and a girl kneeling with the hair running down her back.

P
Updated On: 10/29/09 at 12:59 PM

[James885]

Posted: 10/29/09 at 1:05pm

I'm not positive, but I think someone said that the three wavy lines that represent the hair are also a symbol of psychic mind power. Or something like that. But it would make sense considering the main character is telekinetic.

Updated On: 10/29/09 at 01:05 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/29/09 at 1:13pm

The whole poster is a play on symbols from telepathy cards. It really is one of the best Broadway poster designs ever.

[TheaterBoy7777]

Posted: 10/29/09 at 2:37pm

I really love the simplicity of the poster, it reminds me alot of Beauty's poster which I also love

[seemynameinlights]

Posted: 10/31/09 at 11:51am

I really wanted to see Stephanie J. Block or Julia Murney as Margaret.

I think that Angela Bettis from the 2002 remake has a shot at the role seeing as she can sing, and although she is older, she doesn't look it. Her acting was fantastic in the movie too.

I could see Lea as Sue, never Carrie.

I want to see Christy Altomare who plays Wendla in the Spring Awakenng tour as Carrie

And I have a strong feeling that one of the Glinda understudies from "Wicked" will be Chris. Not sure why, just a feeling.

[blaxx]

Posted: 10/31/09 at 12:04pm

I really wanted to see Stephanie J. Block or Julia Murney as Margaret.

And I have a strong feeling that one of the Glinda understudies from "Wicked" will be Chris. Not sure why, just a feeling.

This has to be a joke.

[seemynameinlights]

Posted: 10/31/09 at 12:27pm

Yes blaxx, we all know you don't like "Wicked" and a lot of people assocaited with it, okay, we get it.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 10/31/09 at 12:37pm

BWAHAHA!

[blaxx]

Posted: 10/31/09 at 12:42pm

TheQueenofBroadway is that you? Do you need some shampoo?

[James885]

Posted: 10/31/09 at 1:47pm

Blaxx, that made me laugh out loud!

Seemynameinlights, may I ask where this 'strong feeling' comes from? It seems like it's just wishful thinking on your part, unless you have some inside information. You seem to hold Wicked in high esteem.