CARRIE THE MUSICAL opens at Clear Space Theatre

October 23rd, 2020 - 7:00 pm to October 24th, 2020 - 7:00 pm

CARRIE THE MUSICAL opens October 23 at Clear Space Theatre, creating a wild, chilling Halloween atmosphere on stage.

Adapted from Stephen King’s bestselling horror novel, CARRIE THE MUSICAL hasn’t been seen since its legendary 1988 Broadway production. In 2002, the show’s original authors joined MCC Theater (Manhattan) for a newly reworked and fully re-imagined vision of this gripping tale.

The story is set in the small town of Chamberlain, Maine.  Carrie White, played by Sussex Tech senior Julia Sturla, is a struggling high school freshman. A lonely outcast, she is bullied at school and mistreated at home.

Then, Carrie discovers she’s got a special power, and the blood, gore and excitement begins.

“Stephen King created a fantastical world to tell a story with a message,” says Lorraine Steinhoff, who plays Mrs. White, Carrie’s emotionally unbalanced and tyrannical mother. “And, it brings a wonderfully complex and fun musical score to the stage at the same time.”

Sturla says she was drawn to the music itself.   “I hadn’t seen the movie, but I listened to the sound track and felt Carrie’s emotional singing parts would test me. The emotional roller-coaster in the story is draining, but it is a good experience.”

Steinhoff, who teaches theatre at Southern Delaware School of the Arts, says the story is relevant today, with messages of bullying and acceptance.  The question, “What does it cost to be kind?” is heard several times throughout the performance, she says.

“I have loved the story since I read the book, and I am excited to be playing the mother,” Steinhoff says. “She is a kind of a villain. She tries to protect her daughter, but seems to do all the wrong things.”

Sturla says she relates to the character Carrie in some ways, “but the abuse is beyond what I have ever experienced in my life.”

CARRIE THE MUSICAL features a book by screenwriter Lawrence D. Cohen. Dean Pitchford wrote the lyrics and Michael Gore wrote the music.   David Button directs. Melanie Bradley is music director and it is choreographed by Shondelle Graulich. Dogfish Head is the sponsor.

CARRIE THE MUSICAL runs through November 1, with performances on, Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m., Sunday performances at 3 p.m., and a special Halloween performance Saturday, October 31, at 11 p.m. Tables for 2 or 4 available.  Buy online at www.clearspacetheatre.org/shows/carrie/

The Rehoboth -Dewey Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Scarecrow contest, with more than 25 local businesses entering their individual scarecrows.  Clear Space has a “CARRIE-crow” at 413 Rehoboth Ave.  Vote for CARRIE-crow, #17, at www.beach-fun.com/scarecrow-contest .

Take a selfie with the CARRIE-crow, post the photograph on Facebook or Instagram with #Carrieandme and tag @clearspacetheatrecompany for a chance to win a table for two to the 11 p.m. Halloween performance.

For more information about performing arts education or for show tickets, please visit  www.ClearSpaceTheatre.org or call 302-227-2270.

Clear Space Theatre is a non-profit regional theatre serving residents and visitors to Southern Delaware since 2004.  Clear Space performs 13 shows during its season and has year-round performing arts education classes for children and adults. Clear Space is located at 20 Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE. 

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Year Round
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Memorial Day to Labor Day Weekends
Saturdays 10 am - 3 pm
Sundays and Holidays 10 am - 2 pm

Columbus Day Weekend to weekend before Memorial Day
Saturdays and Sundays - closed