Riverland Theatre Ignites its Season with 'Carrie: The Musical'

Oct. 29—Riverland Theatre opens its 2024-2025 season with "Carrie: The Musical," based on the best selling book by Stephen King.

Carrie White is a teenage outcast who longs to fit in. At school, she's bullied by the popular crowd, and virtually invisible to everyone else. At home, she's dominated by her loving but cruelly controlling mother. What none of them know is that Carrie just discovered she's got a special power, and if pushed too far, she's not afraid to use it.

This production is based on a horror novel and contains acts of bullying, violence, and metaphysical concepts. Appropriate audience is 16 and above.

Randal J. Forster (Co-Executive Director of Summerset Theatre) is guest directing. Melissa Johnson is assistant director/stage manager. John Deyo is the technical director and designer. Brian Johnson is the musical director. Marny Rohr is the choreographer. costumes are by Kaye Perry. Kayla Byram is stagehand.

"Carrie: The Musical" stars Jannel Howard (Carrie White), Lia Culbert (Margaret White), Gabriella Nack (Sue Snell), Tehya Orr (Chris Hargensen), Travis Kasper (Tommy Ross), Maggie Bremner (Billy Nolan), Anna Anderson (Miss Gardner), Patrick Voigt (Mr. Stephens/Reverend Bliss), Moyra Voigt (Norma), Celeste Rose (Frieda), Molly Robins (Helen), Ryan Flanders (George), Caden Strampe (Freddy), Antonio Morales (Stokes), Ethan Brandt (Marty), Ian Gearhart (Joe), Kylie Larson (Evelyn), Olivia Mix (Rebecca), and Emma Brekke (Martha).

"When people think of the 'Carrie story,' two things come to mind: the prom and a bucket of pig's blood," said director Randal J. Forster. "However, there is much more to this musical. What does it cost to be kind? Carrie White is a young girl who is bullied by her peers and often tortured by her overly religious fanatical mother. Carrie wants to fit in just like the rest of the kids in her school. She has the power of telekinesis, which in the end, causes her to destroy everything she loves because she is driven to the edge."

"Carrie: The Musical" will be performed at 7 p.m. on Oct. 30-31, Nov. 1-2, and 2 p.m. on Nov. 3 in the Frank W. Bridges Theatre on Riverland's Austin campus. The Oct. 31 performance will have ASL interpreters. Individual tickets to "Carrie: The Musical" are $16. Tickets are currently on sale at www.riverland.edu/tickets 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The online ticketing system allows customers to pay by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover. The on-campus box office will be open for in person sales in the theater lobby one hour prior to each performance. Riverland students receive two free tickets with a valid student ID. Contact the box office at 507-433-0595 or by emailing [email protected].

Cast List

Based on the novel by Stephen King

Frank W. Bridges Theatre

Oct. 30, 31, Nov. 1, 2 at 7 p.m.; Nov. 3 at 2 p.m.

Cast

Carrie White — Jannel Howard

Margaret White — Lia Culbert

Sue Snell — Gabriella Nack

Chris Hargensen — Tehya Orr

Tommy Ross — Travis Kasper

Billy Nolan — Maggie Bremner

Miss Gardner — Anna Anderson

Mr. Stephens/Reverend Bliss — Patrick Voigt

Norma — Moyra Voigt

Frieda — Celeste Rose

Helen — Molly Robins

George — Ryan Flanders

Freddy — Caden Strampe

Stokes — Antonio Morales

Marty — Ethan Brandt

Joe — Ian Gearhart

Evelyn — Kylie Larson

Rebecca — Olivia Mix

Martha — Emma Brekke

Director — Randal J. Forster

Assistant Director — Melissa Johnson

Musical/Vocal Director — Brian Johnson

Technical Director — John Deyo

Choreographer — Marny Rohr

Costume Design — Kaye Perry

Stage Manager — Kayla Byram

Producer — Susan V. Hansen

Marketing — Jadon Fimon

Orchestra

Director/Keyboard 1 — Brian Johnson

Keyboard 2 — Lorene Strobel

Guitar 1 — Rob Wiese

Guitar 2 — Mason Pascholl

Cello — Renae Clark

Bass — Theresa Iverson

Drums — Cortney Christianson