Riverland Theatre Ignites its Season with ‘Carrie: The Musical’ – Austin Daily Herald

1 of 3

Gabriella Nack, playing Sue Snell, rehearses a scene from the Riverland Theatre presentation of “Carrie: The Musical,” at Frank W. Bridges Theatre. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

Jannel Howard, center, is Carrie in Riverland Theatre’s presentation “Carrie: The Musical”, which kicks off Wednesday night at Frank W. Bridges Theatre. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

Lia Culbert, playing Margaret White, in “Carrie: The Musical” rehearses a scene with Jannel Howard, left, playing the part of Carrie. The show kicks off the Riverland Theatre season Wednesday night at Frank W. Bridges Theatre. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

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  boxoffice@riverland.edu.  

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