Stephen King’s 'Carrie: The Musical' Kicks Off Spooky Season In Morris County

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — Stephen King's "Carrie: The Musical" premiered this weekend at Brundage Park Playhouse, kicking off the Halloween season.

Filled with frightening images, soaring songs, and a timeless story about bullying and its consequences, Stephen King’s “Carrie: The Musical” is set to haunt audiences at Brundage Park Playhouse the first two weeks of October.

The story focuses on a young woman with telekinetic abilities, as directed and choreographed by Jeorgi Smith, and music directed by David Blazier.

Carrie, played by Alex Vacciano from Boonton, is an outsider at school, where she is severely ridiculed for her differences. She is also lost at home, with a deeply religious mother (Belleville's Alexis Rizzo) whose love traps her in its maw.

When Carrie's PE teacher Miss Gardner (Union's Holly Stefanik), nice classmate Sue Snell (Midland Park's Emily Moran), and boyfriend Tommy Ross (Mt. Olive's Justice Vera) reach out to help her, it seems that for once, Carrie might have a shot at being accepted. But Chris Hargensen (Mt. Olive’s Zoya Vaidya), the class’s most vicious bully, has other ideas. Pushed to the brink, Carrie’s powers threaten to overwhelm her and devour everyone around her in flames.

Director/choreographer Smith noted that audiences can expect a unique theatrical night out.

“This classic horror story turned musical is taken seriously like a straight play but filled with memorable tunes, fun dancing, and stellar acting,” she said. “’Carrie: The Musical’ is thrilling and spookily satisfying.”

The cast is rounded out by Lincoln Vera of Mount Olive, Joe Lanigan of Morris Plains, Skylar Tomlin of Franklin, Jadelyn Anderson of Budd Lake, Ally Distel of Dover, Ryan Williams of Hackettstown, Aidan Koch of Mount Tabor, Matthew North of Succasunna, Natalie Crespolini of Randolph, Sonia Meli of Morristown, and Emma Carothers of Randolph, who is doing double duty as a performer and dance captain.

With Halloween fast approaching, Brundage Park Playhouse Theater Manager Ray Gelpke said it was the right time to bring the story to life.

“'Carrie: The Musical’ a wild, rock-and-roll ride of good versus evil, and devastatingly gory revenge,” he said. “The perfect musical for October.”

The show premiered on Friday and runs again at 7 p.m. on Oct. 13, Oct. 14 at 5 p.m., and Oct. 15 at 3 p.m.

Prices are $20 for seniors 62 and older and military personnel. General admission is $25. There is no assigned seating in the theater. The recommended audience age for Carrie: The Musical is 13 years and older. For more information, visit brundageparkplayhouse.org.

Purchase tickets online through Randolph’s Community Pass system.