CARRIE Reviews

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 3/1/12 at 4:25am

Today is Thursday, March 1, marking the official opening night performance of the 'revisal' of the original 1988 flop pop musical, CARRIE, based on Stephen King's novel about a young woman with telekinetic powers. In a newly-revised Off-Broadway production, produced by MCC Theater, the staging will play the Lucille Lortel Theatre under the direction of Stafford Arima.

Molly Ranson and Marin Mazzie star as Carrie and Margaret White respectively in the new staging. With previews that began January 31, the production was just recently extended through April 22.

Let's wish the girl luck at her second chance at prom!

Best,
- M



Updated On: 3/1/12 at 04:25 AM

[binau]

Posted: 3/1/12 at 4:34am

Good luck!!

I want to be the first one to say that if the reviews claim that Mazzie is not intense enough, it will be difficult to know whether this is because of her performance or because she was sick - the reviewers may have attended performances where Mazzie could not belt "Eve Was Weak" as she usually does.

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/1/12 at 6:36pm

2.5 stars from Matt Windman.

http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/theater-review-carrie-2-5-stars-1.3571426

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 3/1/12 at 7:26pm

I know its not a review from a legit theatrical source, i just thought it was awesome that a horror site has reviewed the show

Fear.Net - Positive
http://www.fearnet.com/news/reviews/b25592_getting_carrie_right_revival_of_carrie.html

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 3/1/12 at 7:29pm

"Alas, Stafford Arima's new Off-Broadway staging is not so much a revival as it is an unnecessary apology for the excess, mess and insanity of the bizarre original production."

What an excellent, accurate description from Matt Windman.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 3/1/12 at 7:29pm

Backstage - Mixed
http://www.backstage.com/bso/content_display/reviews/ny-theatre-reviews/e3ie4fced1dc87e9e7a4cba3c6da3446f3a

I think this is how the reviews will go tonight

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/1/12 at 7:45pm

^ That's a great review for Mazzie and Ranson.

[Kad]

Posted: 3/1/12 at 8:09pm

I'm sure Manson, Mazzie, and the cast will mostly receive positive notices.

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/1/12 at 8:32pm

http://www.talkinbroadway.com/ob/03_01_12.html

Cranky Murray basically slams Ranson and Mazzie.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 3/1/12 at 8:46pm

I am still waiting for the day that Murray comes out and says he hates theatre lol

Hollywood Reporter - Negative
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/carrie-theater-review-296385

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 3/1/12 at 8:48pm

Murray is crankier than necessary, but he is also right on the money here.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/1/12 at 9:01pm

Oh, I get it. The critics stole the bucket of the blood to pour all over this production.

[Idiot]

Posted: 3/1/12 at 9:15pm

Just a little flashback to Frank Rich's review of the original:

"As choreographed by Debbie Allen, who shouldn't wait another moment to
return to her performing career..."

Wondering if Brantley will top THAT.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/1/12 at 9:23pm

Normally Matthew Murray is a boob but I have to say I completely agree with that review

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/1/12 at 9:23pm

The AP calls it a "bloody mess." Ouch.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2012/03/01/entertainment/e174519S98.DTL

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 3/1/12 at 9:23pm

Newsday - Positive
http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/theater/a-bloody-prom-returns-to-new-york-stage-1.3567985

[TheColorOfFlame]

Posted: 3/1/12 at 9:36pm

From TalkinBroadway:

"As played by Molly Ranson, Carrie is now a spiritual nonentity, neither a woman about to break free of her girlish confines or a monster in demure clothing. She comes across as little more than an empty receptacle for schoolmates' taunts in one half of the plot and her mother's dominance in the other. Ranson does little to explain who she is, and hints at none of the playfulness, sauciness, and rage that events demand from the character. Her only adequate singing voice, and an unfortunate tendency to clench her eyes shut while singing, make it even more difficult to relate or sympathize with her.

Marin Mazzie, on the other hand, has consciously chosen to portray Margaret as an Everywoman. That's fine in theory, but it has major deficits in execution, as it does not give Margaret the psychological underpinnings she needs for her increasingly appalling actions over the course of the show. Deploying a careful mix that avoids either full soprano or full belting and thus fails to convey a committed personality, Mazzie's Margaret seems so milquetoast in demeanor and even reasonable in her demands that her behavior cannot stun or outrage, and her songs cannot impress."

Yup.

[TheColorOfFlame]

Posted: 3/1/12 at 9:51pm

And the Hollywood Reporter review is pretty brilliant. I love the wonderful writing that can emerge from annoyingly bad shows. Can't wait for Scott Brown's words on the topic.

[ooblogway]

Posted: 3/1/12 at 10:06pm

Theater Mania is mixed-to-positive
Theater Mania reviews CARRIE

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/1/12 at 10:09pm

Brantley likes Mazzie, seems to think the rest is unfortunately lazy.

http://theater.nytimes.com/2012/03/02/theater/reviews/mccs-carrie-the-musical-at-the-lucille-lortel.html?pagewanted=2

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 3/1/12 at 10:11pm

I was expecting a pan from The Times but whilst not good is not terrible

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/1/12 at 10:12pm

All these reviews are overall not good.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/1/12 at 10:15pm

I find it hard to believe anyone thought this show would get great reviews.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 3/1/12 at 10:19pm

I know it's fun to smack Carrie down (by some on here) but i dont think anyone thought the show would walk away with raves. However instead of saying none of the reviews are good lets be honest so far shall we. Its had a couple of positives, a few mixed and a few negative. So far much of an improvement over the last run. The show also has a positive review coming from The Stage in the UK. So instead of acting like Carrie has just been trashed out and out let's try sticking to facts.

I have to say the reviews are more varied than i thought they would be.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/1/12 at 10:19pm

I just wish they could have found someone with more of a vision and a better understanding of the piece.