Carrie the Musical
at Dillard Center for the Arts

Reviewed on November 3, 2022

Sarah Abisror
Cooper City High School
Submitted for publication to www.floridatheateronstage.com

Dillard Center for the Arts' stellar production of "Carrie the Musical" offers audiences "A Night We'll Never Forget." This tragic tale teaches us that in order to truly see the contents of one's character, you must look beyond the surface.

With music by Michael Gore, lyrics by Dean Pitchford, and a book by Lawrence D. Cohen, "Carrie the Musical" opened on Broadway in 1988. It took inspiration from the Stephen King novel of the same name. Though its run was short, it gained dedicated fans who eventually brought it popularity. Its plot follows Carrie White, a supernatural student who is teased relentlessly by her peers. Her one remorseful classmate, Sue, makes her boyfriend take Carrie to prom instead of her. Her mother warns her that this will end poorly, but desperate for a normal experience, Carrie doesn't listen. Chaos ensues as she navigates her ordinary problems with extraordinary abilities.

Lamacia Lewis (Carrie White) excellently portrayed the entirety of her arc by showing the contrast in Carrie's sense of self in each act. Her capability to carry out stunt choreography while belting high notes helped cultivate an impressive yet believable performance. Essence Fowler (Sue Snell) masterfully conveyed a wide range of emotions through fantastic facial expressions and mannerisms. She demonstrated the duality of her character as she instantly revealed remorse after taunting Carrie. Fowler displayed adorable chemistry with Jamahl Hanna (Tommy Ross). Hanna's sensational characterization was vital in creating moments of peace for both leading ladies.

Malia Bryan (Margaret White) utilized astonishing vocal prowess in her emotional portrayal of Carrie's overbearing mother. She showcased her powerhouse abilities during solos and blended beautifully with Lewis in duets such as "Evening Prayers." Playing the antagonist's right hand man, Jaire St. Ange (Billy Nolan) exhibited tremendous talent in his execution of the choreography.

The ensemble presented an incredible level of synchrony. Their phenomenal harmonies and dancing elevated the production. They consistently moved and sang as one, especially in scenes where the Underclassmen were featured. Despite pausing their show after technical difficulties, the actors remained focused and efficiently continued on from where they left off. They represented the epitome of professionalism and proved that "the show must go on."

The 2233 Tech Theatre Class (Set) put in evident hard work for a remarkably realistic product. They successfully differentiated between Carrie's house and school without making separate sets. Trey'lon Salley (Freddy/Creativity/Choreography) must be commended for his dedication both onstage and off. The cast nailed every harmony they sang due to his instruction. Salley, along with Fowler, gave the choreography a contemporary feel that helped to modernize the production and make the characters more relatable.

"Once You See" Dillard Center for the Arts' amazing production of "Carrie the Musical," you will be inspired to stand up for those who are targeted, for they showed the horrors that take place when their torment is condoned.

Giovanna Dellaria
Cooper City High School
Submitted for publication to www.floridatheateronstage.com

Curl your hair, check your breath, and prepare for the perfect prom night at Dillard Center for the Arts! Their production of "Carrie the Musical" presented audiences with a gripping tale and a harsh look into one girl's unfortunate world.

"Carrie the Musical" opened on Broadway in 1988 and featured music by Michael Gore and a book by Lawrence D. Cohen. Though it ran for a short time, it was brought popularity by dedicated fans. It tells the story of Carrie White, a young girl who struggles to fit in while enduring constant bullying and the unrelenting pressures of her mother. In the middle of her strife, Carrie experiences events that lead to a discovery of telekinetic powers and an invitation to prom - which quickly turns sour.

Lamacia Lewis portrayed the titular role of Carrie White and, through her strong understanding of her character, successfully executed Carrie's character arc. Lewis' performance was full of dynamic emotion and stellar vocal stamina - despite completing acrobatic elements in select scenes, she was still able to sing immediately after and deliver beautiful vocal runs. Also praiseworthy was her chemistry with Tommy Ross, played by Jamahl Hanna. The sweetness of the relationship between the two "Unsuspecting Hearts" brought a gentleness to the otherwise ruthless show.

Malia Bryan gave an intense performance as Carrie's mother, Margaret White, demonstrating a deep dedication to her character. Through her powerful voice, Bryan embodied the overbearing figure with admirable devotion. Evana Michel and Jaire St. Ange, playing Chris Hargensen and Billy Nolan respectively, also gave noteworthy performances. The couple was enticing in their scenes together, and their alluring chemistry made for an engaging performance.

The ensemble as a whole demonstrated remarkable engagement in their performance. Even when faced with a technical issue, the cast was able to jump right back into the show, not allowing this interruption to compromise their work. The ensemble also deserves recognition for their dancing and movement abilities, with multiple members pulling off a number of jumps and flips in musical numbers. Though some actors were lacking in projection, the cast made up for it with their boundless energy.

Jaire St. Ange's and Ty'won Gunns' usage of special effects added an element of shock to the production. From the utilization of fishing line making objects appear to move alone to the inclusion of flight sequences, the creative execution of supernatural events was both impressive and entertaining. The choreography deserves commendation as well -- Trey'lon Salley and Essence Fowler, both of whom took on roles performing in the show as Freddy and Sue Snell respectively, crafted athletic choreography that was complex without being impossible to execute.

All in all, Dillard Center for the Arts' production of "Carrie the Musical" was full of electric emotion, energy, and passion. The cast of the stellar production was able to deliver a "Night We'll Never Forget!"

Noa Ackerman
West Boca High School
Submitted for publication to www.floridatheateronstage.com

Dillard Center for the Arts' production of "Carrie the Musical" left no audience member without goosebumps! This remarkable cast told Carrie's story, one of telekinetic powers and an exciting prom night with a murderous twist, through passionate, precise dance and striking vocals. "Carrie the Musical," book by Lawrence D. Cohen, music by Michael Gore, and lyrics by Dean Pitchford, was based on the 1974 novel "Carrie" by Stephen King. The show follows Carrie, a lonely teenage girl with telekinetic powers, her mother Margaret, who is fanatically religious, and Carrie's peers who relentlessly torment her. A spiral of horrifying events lead to gruesome murder and a disastrous fate for Carrie.

Lamacia Lewis (Carrie White) shined bright on stage, embodying Carrie's awkward, nervous mannerisms exquisitely. She seamlessly showed Carrie's confidence building as the show progressed and Carrie learned to control her powers. Lewis maintained impressive stamina, as she was being lifted and flipped over while singing. Additionally, Lewis embellished her songs with effortless riffs that featured her silky smooth singing voice. Her strong belt and range of dynamics commanded the attention of the audience.

Malia Bryan deserves a standing ovation for her portrayal of Margaret White. Bryan displayed stunning vocals that brought the house down. Attention must be brought to her astonishing rendition of "Amazing Grace". Her passion and devotion bled through every note, giving the audience immediate chills. Bryan's phenomenal stage presence and emotional depth brought her character to life.

Essence Fowler and Trey'lon Salley must be commended for their outstanding choreography. The meticulous attention to detail in each number was apparent, as each move held the audience in a trance. Each step was deliberate and featured spectacular tricks, drawing attention to Sony Vassor, who had all eyes on him as he leapt and high-kicked throughout the show. The opening number, "In", was a jarring beginning to the show, engaging the audience and setting the bar high for the rest of the performance. These talented performances did not disappoint. Each number brought a new level of complex dance, showcasing their top-notch dance skills.

Overall, Dillard Center for the Arts' production of "Carrie" was unforgettable. Incredible special effects, terrifically synced dance numbers, and extraordinary vocals made this show a must-see. The crew's unwavering devotion to the show was evident, as the production would not be complete without the striking technical elements! This moving production gave the audience a night to remember!

Rachel Sadow
West Boca High School
Submitted for publication to www.floridatheateronstage.com

"A Night We'll Never Forget" is certainly true to anyone who watches "Carrie the Musical" performed by the Dillard Center for the Arts.

"Carrie the Musical" was adapted from Stephen Kings 1974 book, "Carrie." It was then turned into a musical by Lawrence D. Cohen, lyrics by Dean Pitchford, and music by Michael Gore. In this twisted, blood spilling musical, Carrie White finds out she has telekinetic powers. While exploring her powers, she deals with events of abuse and bullying. Her mother, Margaret, plays a substantial role in Carrie's development.

In order to play the fanatic mother of Carrie, Margaret, an actor must have commitment and incredible stage presence. Malia Bryan who plays Margaret, had all that and more. Bryan had amazing commitment and always lifted her co-stars around her when in a scene. One must point out Bryan's sublime vocal skills including her phenomenal riffs throughout the show. The relationship between Lamacia Lewis who plays Carrie, and Bryan was just breathtaking to watch. Lewis did an amazing job enacting such a specific type of character. Lewis successfully showed off her vocal skills, as she hit every note beautifully and even kept singing when she was doing stunts.

The regretful Sue Snell is played by Essence Fowler. Fowler always had the right timing and was overall an essential part in the production. Next to her is Sue's best friend, Chris Hargensen played by Evena Michel. Chris is a difficult role to portray and Michel did an outstanding job embodying her. Next to Chris is always her antagonistic boyfriend, Billy Nolan played by Jaire St. Ange. Michel and Jaire have chemistry that can be seen a mile away. The two actors bounced off of each other's energy and made it seem so natural.

One thing the cast and crew must be applauded for is their commitment and time that is put into this production. In "The Destruction", it's seen in everyone's faces their level of dedication. Especially when ensemble members jumped into the audience. Everyone could understand in that moment the level of fear that was running through the characters. Although the show was stopped for a brief moment, the cast and crew went about it amazingly and handled it extremely well.

Everyone in the audience was blown away by the choreography. One must commend Trey'lon Salley and Essence Fowler for their devotion on choreography. Special effects played a huge role in this production. From their fly system to their special effect lights, Jaire St Ange deserves all the praise for his special effects.

"Carrie the Musical" by Dillard Center for the Arts was astounding. "Once You See" this production you will have no doubt about it that it was "A Night We'll Never Forget."

Abby Goldberg
Cooper City High School
Submitted for publication to www.floridatheateronstage.com

When it comes to high schoolers, "sometimes their hatred is out of control." In Dillard Center for the Performing Arts' remarkable production of "Carrie the Musical," we see the lasting effects of high school cruelty and misunderstandings.

Inspired by the Steven King book of the same name, "Carrie the Musical" first opened on the West End in 1988. After its short-lived Broadway run and a few updates to the script, it became the beloved musical it is today. With music and lyrics by Michael Gore and Dean Pitchford, "Carrie the Musical" tells the story of a telekinetic high school outcast. When she gets tormented for having her first period, her fanatically religious mother is no help. Carrie's efforts to fit in mixed with her newfound abilities, push her to her limits, and it all leads up to a blood-soaked prom.

Leading the show was the talented Lamacia Lewis as Carrie White. She brought powerhouse vocals and genuine characterization to the stage while expertly conveying every emotion her character felt. Throughout intense choreography and impressive acrobatics, Lewis' vocals remained flawless. Portraying Margaret White, Malia Bryan was the perfect counterpart to her onstage daughter. Bryan skillfully displayed the complexity of her relationship with Carrie and continuously made strong vocal and character choices.

Gracing the stage as Sue Snell was Essence Fowler. With excellent physicality, genuine emotions and glorious vocals, she truly lit up the stage. The chemistry between Fowler and Jamahl Hanna, playing her on-stage boyfriend,Tommy, was a shining addition to the show. Through Capri-Sun picnics and prom night dances, Hanna encompassed wonderful characterization as he showed Tommy's ability to put both Sue and Carrie's stress at ease.

The cast as a whole was sensational, sweeping audiences off their feet with their modern style and original take of the show. With crisp harmonies, demanding choreography, and an energy that never faltered, they truly put on a spectacular performance. The constant stage business added to their ever-engaging performance. A standout duo was Jaire St. Ange and Evena Michel as Billy Nolan and Chris Hargensen. Their captivating chemistry and exceptional dancing allowed for a powerful performance.

The technical elements of the show were splendid. The immersive set built by the 2233 Tech Theater Class was a delightful addition to the show. As choreographer alongside Essence Fowler, music director, and an actor in the show, Trey'lon Salley must be commended for his outstanding efforts and commitment to the show. Although there were a few technical difficulties, the cast and crew persisted, remaining professional and ebullient.

Dillard Center for the Performing Arts' production of "Carrie the Musical'' tells a heartbreaking tale of high school callousness. This breathtaking rendition leaves audiences with the question: "what does it cost to be kind?"