Theater Review: 'Carrie' at Naugatuck Valley Community College

By Nancy Sasso Janis

“Carrie” is finally on the stage at Naugatuck Valley Community College, in the works since the spring of 2020. The pandemic put the production on pause for three years. Some of the original cast were able to play their roles, while others had to be replaced with new cast members. Yet, this cast works very well together to bring the bloody Stephen King story to life. The Naugatuck Theater Dept. and Stage Society presents the musical.

The musical was adapted from Stephen King's 1974 novel “Carrie,” and holds its place in Broadway history as one of the most expensive disasters ever. The book by Lawrence D. Cohen is punctuated with music by Michael Gore and lyrics by Dean Pitchford. Assistant Professor Sasha Bratt expertly directed the students.

It tells the horror story of an awkward teenage girl with telekinetic powers whose lonely life is dominated by a religious zealot mother. When the often-bullied Carrie is humiliated by her classmates at the high school prom, she unleashes fiery chaos on everyone involved.

So this is not a light musical, but there are definitely some great musical numbers that move along the story. The NVCC production also features some excellent performances and the production values are most effective. Kudos to technical coordinator and lighting designer Jonathan Curns on a job well done.

The opening number “In” is high energy and was memorable for its very effective choreography. The choreographers were Jordan Contardo, Tori Noel-Baez (a Dance Major at NVCC) and Brittany Mann. Chris and Billy watch their plot for the prom unfold from the balcony of the auditorium. Bratt makes use of the aisles in the auditorium, as well as auditorium door exits, which I loved.

Carrie White is embodied by Erin Moderacki, in her second NVCC production. Just wow.

Brianna Mattingly finally gets to play the role of Carrie’s mother, the wounded Margaret, which she had studied and prepared for the ill-fated 2020 production. Mattingly is an alumni of both the NVCC theater and music program and is now the Educational Assistant in the Music Department. She is achingly precise as the strong character.

Paige Gumpert, who played Marcy Park in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” is super strong in the role of Sue Snell in her third theater production, using her clear singing voice for her solos.

Jalon Copeland, who was Barfee in NVCC’s “Spelling Bee,” portrays Sue’s devoted boyfriend Tommy Ross. Copeland has an impressive singing voice and great stage presence that he uses well in this important role.

Mylaida Rivera makes her first musical appearance as gym teacher Miss Gardner and brings an effective Latina strength as Carrie’s supportive mentor.

Makayla Balducci (Olive in “Spelling Bee”) brings the spoiled Chris Hargensen (“The World According to Chris”) in black lipstick. Edward Antigua plays her boyfriend, Billy Nolan. Vincent Griffin, who was part of the original NVCC cast, plays George in his fifth NVCC production.

Lindsay Hayes plays Norma, Bella Husk is Freida and Allison Roche plays Helen in her first NVCC show. Andres Idrovo portrays Mr. King, Devin Mallon is Strokes, and music major Jaden Rawlinson plays Freddy. Daniel Saed, a teaching artist/actor/singer, appears as Mr. Stephens.

There is a strong ensemble that includes Cooper Allen (in their first performance at the college,) Ethan Ledina (Chip in “Spelling Bee,”) Grace Persaud (in her first college production,) Tyler White (in his third NVCC musical,) and third semester student Cate Wormell.

I loved the projections designed by Douglas Macur that appear on screens of columns made of white fabric suspended from the top of the stage. We see the crucified Christ behind the scenes in Margaret and Carrie’s home, the windows that Carrie shuts with her mind, and the horrific ending to the prom.

The set designer Dan Nischan basically stays out of the way of the projections and it works. The musicians perform the score from backstage and the audio designed by Brian Kelly is perfectly balanced. Gil Harel served as music director and plays keyboard. The costumes designer Lisa Bebey gives off the teen vibe and includes a modest yet pretty prom gown for Carrie, and theater major Molly Riley was in charge of the props.

This will be "A Night We'll Never Forget." The musical runs one hour and 45 minutes with one intermission, although opening night ran a bit longer.

Remaining performances are scheduled for April 22 at 7:30 p.m. and a Sunday matinee on April 23 at 2:00 p.m. The musical is presented in the Mainstage Theater at NVCC at 750 Chase Parkway in Waterbury. Park in the garage and take the elevator to the third floor. Tickets are $15 general admission, with $10 for students.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.