Carrie Cast/Character Question

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/13/06 at 9:37pm

I noticed something odd on IBDB earlier tonight. Aside from 'important' characters (Margaret/Carrie/Miss Gardener), everyone else used their own names.

For example, Jamie Chandler played "Jamie." Catherine Coffey played "Cath." Michèle Du Verney was "Michèle". Etcetera.


I'm assuming that it was done purposely. Does anyone have any insight as to why this was done?

Did the Stagedoor Manor production (and any productions following the Broadway staging) use the same names? Did they change them to suit their own needs?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/13/06 at 9:42pm

It was just a way to give the ensemble an individual identity rather than "chorus." There really aren't any "needs" to establish by doing this other than cast identity, though perhaps it was a way to reward the ensemble who apparently did a lot of improvising in certain numbers like "Don't Waste the Moon."

At any rate, its certainly not vital to the show, and since there has been no true "authorized" production since it closed on Broadway, it's neither here or there whether any subsequent productions would name their ensemble members.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 3/13/06 at 9:45pm

Didn't Frenchwoods do it one summer?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/13/06 at 9:56pm

I don't know about frenchwoods. I know that Emerson college attempted to do it illegally and was shut down by the writers.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 3/13/06 at 9:58pm

Sorry, I think it was Stagedoor Manor, not Frenchwoods...

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/13/06 at 9:59pm

Yes, STAGEDOOR did it. I don't know how legally.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 3/13/06 at 10:00pm

Yeah, me neither, that has always baffled me.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/13/06 at 10:02pm

They had permission, apparently.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/13/06 at 10:02pm

There is a video floating around of it though. It's really hilarioius seeing the show performed by 11 year olds.

[BSoBW3]

Posted: 3/13/06 at 10:03pm

Maybe Seth Rudetsky will get the rights.

I mean, how much longer can Gore and Pitchford live, right?

Just kidding....on some levels.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 3/13/06 at 10:04pm

Haha, I can only imagine.

The best kid version of a show I have seen was Company, by like 12 year olds. That was a sight to see...

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/13/06 at 10:06pm

There is a rumour that CARRIE is getting some kind of revised reading in London this year. No idea how valid that is though. But the rumour would indicate that both authors are involved and the show has been tinkered with.

[BSoBW3]

Posted: 3/13/06 at 10:07pm

Ugh.

I love this show more than I can begin to explain. And would love to see it...LIVE.

But, to redo it would destroy everything that made Carrie - Carrie.


If the authors really cared they would release the rights so Seth Rudetsky can do a one night only concert (that I will make sure I attend...so it better be on a weekend!) without Josh Groban so it can be recorded.

Updated On: 3/13/06 at 10:07 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/13/06 at 10:21pm

Well I think Debbie Allen and Terry Hands detroyed everything that made CARRIE - CARRIE, at least CARRIE in the workshop (which as half decent) so I don't begrudge them reworking the show if they think it has any chance for subsequent regional production, but regardless of whether they rewrite the show, they should do a recording/concert - preferably an OBC reunion.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/13/06 at 11:09pm

Who can forget the legendary story of Barbara Cook sending Terry Hands a sledgehammer as a lovely parting gift when she left the show?

Still, having seen the first preview on Broadway is a highlight memory I will always cherish.

[BSoBW3]

Posted: 3/13/06 at 11:11pm

Too bad Gene Anthony Ray died
Debbie Allen ruined him.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/13/06 at 11:14pm

Wasn't Scott Wise his understudy? He can do the concert.

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 3/14/06 at 2:19am

I'm sorry but Debbie Allen was the least of that shows troubles. The book is horrid and the score is bad. It's cheesy with bad lyrics. I think the only great song in that show is Eve was Weak ( whatever that number is). There might be 1 other I'm missing, but it's pretty awful. "Doesn't anybody get it right? Carrie. Don't they know my name is Carrie White? Carrie...I'm Carrie. I am the sound of distant thunder, the color of flame..."


Are you kidding me?! Are those really lyrics to a song.

[Urban]

Posted: 3/14/06 at 6:35am

Actually that particular lyric works quiet well in the scene it is in.

[mrkringas]

Posted: 3/14/06 at 7:12am

Dont forget Betty's end of act number "I Remember How Those Boys Danced"! Great tour de force and ends on that big Eb "And the sin never DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEES" love it!

And some of the other bits are quite nice. "Evening Prayers" has gorgeous harmony in it. Poor Sally Ann Triplett got stuck with that stinker in the second Act though. That would need a rewrite.

I would love to see a one night concert with Carolee Carmello in the Betty role and Celia Kennan Bolger as Carrie.