"Carrie: The Musical" on stage at UW-Parkside
"Carrie: The Musical," a stage adaptation of Stephen King's iconic novel, "is an enjoyable challenge," said Mary MacDonald Kerr.
That might seem like an understatement to describe a story that was first adapted into a 1976 horror film with a famously bloody finale.
But Kerr, a UW-Parkside visiting assistant professor who is directing the show in the school's Main Stage Theatre, said the musical is not as terrifying as the book or the film.
"It's not too scary or super gory," Kerr said. "We know it doesn't have a happy ending, but it's not terrifying."
The story focuses on the tumultuous life of Carrie White, a high school outcast with a mysterious gift.
At school, she is bullied viciously and, at home, she deals with a cruel and controlling mother.
Because the story contains supernatural elements, Kerr and the cast and crew have to create what she calls "magical moments on stage."
"Our scenic designer, Jody Sekas, looked at this as something fun to figure out," Kerr said.
A bigger challenge, Kerr said, "is producing a big, fat musical with a challenging score for the actors and big dance sequences involving 18 people. And in the middle of the show, you have to throw a prom on stage."
Kerr, a Paddock Lake resident, has been a Milwaukee area theater professional for 30 years and has also directed shows at Carthage College and UW-Whitewater.
Working with college students, she said, "is so rewarding. They love learning, and they want to learn. It's all about the possibilities for them at this stage."
'Not really a horror story'
Joining Kerr in this production is Assistant Director Amy Bates, who comes to UW-Parkside as a theater student after working in theater for 25 years, including a long stint for Disney in Orlando, Florida, as a casting director for theme park shows.
When she found out she was working on this production, Bates devoted herself to a summer of all things "Carrie."
"I read the book and watched the movie and then I read the script for the musical," she said. "That's when I noticed how different the musical is from the book and the film. It's set in the present day, and the costumes reflect that. Also, the characters all have cell phones. The vibe is very much of today."
Bates is aiming for a teaching career in theater at the college level and said working with the students "is so rewarding. They give 110% at every rehearsal, and it's exciting to see people right at the brink of their theater careers."
The UW-Parkside students, she said, "are doing a fantastic job. And this is not an easy show to do. There are some really involved technical elements in the show."
Audience members, she said, "will have a fun night at the theater. The music is great, and the show does get you thinking about issues like bullying and how we treat each other."
"The musical is approachable and not really a horror story," Bates said. "And we love to see the community come out and support our local students. If they come, they will have a super great time."
If you go
What: "Carrie: The Musical"
Where: Main Stage Theatre at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, 900 Wood Road in Somers
When: Performances are 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20. The show continues 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 25-26, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27.
Tickets: $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens (age 60 and older) and $10 for youths (age 17 and younger). Go to uwp.edu.
Note: The musical is recommended for ages 13 and older. The show contains images of blood and violence.
Features/GO Kenosha
