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Gabriella Nack, playing Sue Snell, rehearses a scene from the Riverland Theater’s presentation of “Carrie: The Musical” at the Frank W. Bridges Theater. Eric Johnson/[email protected]

Jannel Howard, center, is Carrie in Riverland Theater’s presentation of “Carrie: The Musical,” which opens Wednesday night at the Frank W. Bridges Theater. Eric Johnson/[email protected]

Lia Culbert, playing Margaret White, in “Carrie: The Musical” rehearses a scene with Jannel Howard, left, playing Carrie. The show kicks off Riverland Theater’s season tonight at the Frank W. Bridges Theater. Eric Johnson/[email protected]

Riverland Theater opens its 2024-2025 season with “Carrie: The Musical” based on the bestselling book by Stephen King.

Carrie White is a marginalized teenager who longs to fit in. At school, she is intimidated by the popular crowd and practically invisible to everyone. At home, she is dominated by her loving but cruelly controlling mother. What neither of them know is that Carrie has just discovered that she has a special power and that if pushed too far, she isn’t afraid to use it.

This production is based on a horror novel and contains acts of intimidation, violence and metaphysical concepts. The appropriate audience is 16 years and older.

Randal J. Forster (Summerset Theater co-executive director) is guest director. 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 a machinist.

“Carrie: The Musical” with 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 ‘Carrie’s Story,’ two things come to mind: 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 fanatic mother. Carrie wants to fit in, just like the rest of the kids at her school. She has the power of telekinesis, which ultimately causes her to destroy everything she loves because she is pushed to the limit.

“Carrie: The Musical” will be performed at 7 p.m. on October 30-31, November 1-2, and 2 p.m. on November 3 at the Frank W. Bridges Theater on Riverland’s Austin campus. The October 31 show will have ASL interpreters. Individual tickets for “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 before each performance. Riverland students receive two free tickets with a valid student ID. Contact the box office at 507-433-0595 or by email [email protected].

List of actors

Based on the novel by Stephen King

Frank W. Bridges Theater

October 30, 31, November 1 and 2 at 7 p.m.; November 3 at 2 p.m.

Cast

Carrie White – Jannel Howard

Marguerite Blanc – 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

Standard – Moyra Voigt

Frieda – Celeste Rose

Helene – Molly Robins

George – Ryan Flandre

Freddy – Caden Strampe

Stokes – Antonio Morales

Marty –Ethan Brandt

Joe – Ian Gearhart

Evelyn – Kylie Larson

Rebecca – Olivia Melange

Martha – Emma Brekke

Director – Randal J. Forster

Deputy Director – Melissa Johnson

Musical/vocal director –Brian Johnson

Technical Director –John Deyo

Choreographer – Marny Rohr

Costume design – Kaye Perry

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 – Renee Clark

Bass – Therese Iverson

Drums – Cortney Christianson