Butte College
News Announcement

Carrie, the Broadway Musical Comes to Butte College

October 25 - November 9, 2019

High school has never been worse, especially for the cast of Carrie the Musical. High school sweethearts, jocks, nerds, and bad boys alike struggle to survive just long enough to see their senior prom and move on to the next stage of their lives. They are ignorant to the pain they are putting the titular character, Carrie White, through and unaware of the brutal fate they will meet on that fateful prom night.

Join Butte College students, faculty, and community members as they bring the electrifying horror musical “Carrie” to the stage, demanding with their performance a deeper understanding of the message - “once you see, you can’t unsee.”

“Carrie” opens Friday, Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. and runs through Saturday, Nov. 9 with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for seniors and students. Tickets are available at the door or online at www.ButteDrama.com. For more information, call 530-895-2994 or email Jesse Merz, director, at merzje@caminal-equip.com. Performances take place at the Butte College Black Box Theatre, Main Campus, ARTS Building, 3536 Butte Campus Drive, Oroville, CA 95965. “Carrie” has some strong language and gore and is recommended for audiences 14 years or older.

Background

“Carrie the musical” has seen many adaptations over the years, some which have sunk, and many which have soared. The musical has evolved into a cult classic college musical with a story that is deeply vulnerable, memorable and electrifying.

The story follows Carrie White, a girl undergoing social trauma and exploring her own maturity and latent telekinetic abilities; Sue Snell, whose character arc is a mirror to Carrie’s as she learns to grow outside of her societal mold and bring a human connection to the story in an effort to combat the horror around her; Tommy Ross, her star-athlete boyfriend who finds himself questioning his future and helping Sue to bring some light into the darkness of Carrie’s life; Chris Hargensen, resident popular girl with a mean streak, who makes it her mission to make Carrie’s life miserable, with help from her truant boyfriend Billy Nolan; and Margaret White, Carrie’s mother.

“Carrie” is adapted from Steven King’s novel of the same name with a book by Lawrence D. Cohen, lyrics by Dean Pitchford, and music by Michael Gore. Butte College’s production features set design by Robert Pickering, lighting design by Michael Johnson, costumes by Lynne Schuepbach, sound designed by Davin Schreindl, the stage manager is Dusty Chess, choreography by Melinda Buzan, musical direction by Christine Buckstead, and is directed by Butte’s Theatre Arts Instructor, Jesse Merz.

The cast includes:

Sarah Merrill (Carrie White), Julia Hoistad (Margaret White), Alyssa Price (Sue Snell), Derek Anderson (Tommy Ross), Sierra Root (Chris Hargensen), Kevin Spindler (Billy Nolan), Hana Michelle (Miss Gardner), Benjamin Boyer (Mr. Stephens), Yamileth Lomeli (Norma, u/s Chris), Cara Agnew (Frieda, u/s Carrie), Devyn Cusick (Helen), Ryan Shallenberger (George, u/s Tommy), Kenna Harris (Stokes, u/s Sue), Eric Blankenship (Freddy, u/s Billy), Angel Hagen (Reverend Bliss), Andrea Thoms (Interrogator), Jada Diaz (Interrogator, u/s Margaret), Faith Stokes (Swing), Salomon Martinez (Swing), Sammi Cason (Ensemble), Rebekkah Conklin (Ensemble), Camrin Considine (Ensemble), Sofia DeLaGarza (Ensemble), Grace Diep (Ensemble), Keasha Fuller (Ensemble, u/s Miss Gardner), Kierstan Sandro (Ensemble), Dalton Vasquez (Ensemble), and Riata Curl and Sophie Stocks (Assistant Stage Managers).

From Butte College Director of Theatre, Jesse Merz:

“When our students first suggested we do the musical, “Carrie,” I thought they were crazy! No way did I want to do a horror musical that ends in mayhem after what our community has been through. But they told me it was an anti-bullying story and I was skeptical. Then they asked me to listen to the music — I was hooked! Just wait until you experience the passion and love for art-making and the vibrancy of life in our production of “Carrie.” I dare you to let them scare you with some killer musical theatre!”