Review: 'Carrie: The Musical' by Broadway Method Academy

“In a time so full of hatred and division, this show promotes love. #Carrie shows the importance of seeing the good in everyone, no matter how tempted we may be to distance ourselves from others. A quote from the Epilogue of the show, ‘What does it cost to be kind?’ speaks wonders to our world today; rather than dividing ourselves, we should look for ways to come together in spite of differences.” -Julia Vitale (Chris)

Dedicated to the proudest man in the room on opening night, Robert Kennedy, husband, father, and teacher

Fairfield, CT - Broadway Method Academy is presenting their inaugural show CARRIE: THE MUSICAL in the brand new studio theater at their new location. BMA worked all summer to bring a new, expanded, exciting facility that would enhance their student's experience. Earlier this month they held an open house at the new facility located in a bright shopping plaza in Fairfield.

On Thursday evening, I was invited to opening night in the enviable black box studio theater. I was impressed with the sparkling new location. In the lobby, the Connecticut Critics Circle special award that was recently presented to BMA was on display and I found the studio theater to be well equipped and comfortable. The plan is to present 5 shows this season in the black box and two larger productions on their mainstage, Westport Country Playhouse in nearby Westport.

CARRIE: THE MUSICAL is, in fact, a musical with a book by Lawrence D. Cohen, lyrics by Dean Pitchford, and music by Michael Gore. It was adapted from Stephen King's novel Carrie, and it focuses on an awkward teenage girl with telekinetic powers whose lonely life is dominated by an oppressive religious fanatic mother.

While I have never seen the movie version, I did know that it contained a scene where the title character is drenched in blood at her high school prom. That was the extent of my familiarity with the source material, so I was frankly a bit concerned that the production would be a horror show, a genre of which I am not a big fan. Part of me wanted to see how the authors managed to turn this particular story into a musical at all. So I went with an open mind.

Thankfully, the story was more about the bullying and the religious fanaticism that leads to the horrific ending. The music and dancing smoothed out the rough edges a bit, making the subject matter more than tolerable (at least for me) and actually gave the students a challenging piece of work to hone their craft that was appropriate for the weekend before Halloween. BMA gives their 130 students the chance to work with Broadway professional in their classrooms and in this show to perform with a few of them.

What I liked best was the level of talent and commitment of every single teen in the cast. Of course the adults led the way, but it was clear that the young performers were well-rehearsed, yielding a tight ensemble and very strong leads. Director/Musical Director J. Scott Handley, a founder/executive director of BMA, clearly knew how to use the new space most effectively and encouraged the singers to use their voices to the fullest. BMA Founder/Executive Director Connor Deane (Amity HS Class of ‘10) was executive producer and scanned many tickets as he welcomed patrons to opening night before doing the curtain speech. The orchestra led by Alison Grimes sounded great from their location behind the stage. The lighting designed by Curtis Shields was extremely professional and most effective. The sound designer Tommy Rosati also did a great job; there were only a few lines that I missed. Costumes by Colleen Fitzsimons made sense and set designer Ryan Howell worked some magic when needed.

This inaugural show was double cast to allow as many students to appear in the leading roles. On opening night, Kaitlyn Richards tackled the title role of Carrie with a powerhouse singing voice and a Kristin Chenoweth vibe, in a good way.

Annika Jonker was Sue Snell the classmate of Carrie who has a change of heart and Ryan Kennedy (THE ADDAMS FAMILY, TARZAN at Amity HS) stood out as her boyfriend Tommy Ross. Ryanne Forrest played the spoiled mean girl Chris Hargensen, who gets her own song entitled “The World According to Chris.” Ethan Horbury was her bad boy boyfriend Billy Nolan.

Andrea Kennedy (Amity HS Class of ‘88) came out of retirement to take on the role of the ultimate overprotective mother Margaret White. Her beautiful soprano soared for her pivotal number “When There’s No One” and she was scarily convincing as the religious zealot Mrs. Kennedy helps out with the excellent productions directed by her husband Robert Kennedy at Amity HS.

Julie Kavanaugh, BMA Artistic Director, was outstanding in the role of caring PE teacher Ms. Gardner. Cody Davis played the roles of a pastor and guidance counselor/English teacher Mr. Stephens.

For three performances, including opening night Gillian Delmhorst played the supporting role of Frieda, Brenna Connolly was Norma, Lizzie Richards played Helen, Kyle Geriak was George, Kevin Keating was Stokes and Jason Zink was Freddy.

For all performances, the ensemble is comprised of Grace Blanchard (Amity HS ‘21,) Lianna Accettull, Annika Delrosario, Annie Driscoll (Amity HS ‘21,THE ADDAMS FAMILY) Zola Kneeland (Amity ‘22,), Logan Lumley, Megan McCarthy, Alaina McCarvil, Ella Miller, Anna Morin and Serena Remmes.

The nonprofit BMA offers comprehensive, award winning training in acting, singing, and dancing. They offer a variety of classes, private coaching sessions, and performance opportunities, bringing in some of Broadway’s top talents to work with their students. Jamie Tulley Arts Foundation is a BMA supportive creative partner. BMA now serves as the Resident Conservatory of the prestigious Westport Country Playhouse. I came away wishing that I were young enough to enroll.

The only other BMA production that I have attended was the always fun LEGALLY BLONDE at The Quirk Center at Fairfield University. This new location was an easy commute and I frequent The Westport Country Playhouse for their Equity productions, so I look forward to attending upcoming BMA shows. My only note for this cast and crew (only because of where I chose to sit) would be to remember to assume that every mic is live and to move as quietly as possible behind the black curtains in their new black box.
Tickets are limited for the remaining performances, but can be purchased online here.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle.She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.