The first two episodes of Out for Blood, a new series exploring the history of the infamous Broadway musical Carrie, have premiered on the Broadway Podcast Network. Hosts Holly Morgan and Chris Adams, lifelong fans of the 1988 musical, interview the creators, original stars, fellow super-fans, and others to answer their burning questions about the show’s journey from the Royal Shakespeare Company to Broadway and beyond. Upcoming guests include lyricist Dean Pitchford and original cast members Linzi Hateley, Charlotte d’Amboise, and Sally Ann Triplett as well as 2012 revival director Stafford Arima and cast members Molly Ranson and Carmen Cusack. You can listen to the trailer below.
In 1981, Lawrence D. Cohen, who wrote the 1976 film Carrie, and Michael Gore began work on a musical of the Stephen King novel. They soon brought in Gore’s Fame collaborator Dean Pitchford, and in 1984, they staged a workshop of the first act with Annie Golden (Carrie), Maureen McGovern (Mrs. White), and Laurie Beechman (Miss Gardner). The RSC premiered the full show for a limited engagement on Feb. 13, 1988, in Stratford, England. Directed by Terry Hands and choreographed by Debbie Allen, the cast included Linzi Hateley (Carrie), Barbara Cook (Mrs. White), and Darlene Love (Miss Gardner). This production transferred to Broadway in April, with Betty Buckley replacing Cook, opening May 12 and closing three days later. Below is the press reel for the 1988 Broadway production.
The creative team subsequently revised the show and held a reading of the new version in 2009, with Molly Ranson (Carrie), Marin Mazzie (Mrs. White), and Sutton Foster (Miss Gardner). MCC Theater then produced the Off-Broadway revival on Mar. 1, 2012, with Carmen Cusack replacing Foster. The production received nominations as best revival from the Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle, and Lucille Lortel Awards. The revival recording also topped Billboard’s Cast Albums chart. The 2012 version was later seen on London’s Off-West End in 2015 with Evelyn Hoskins (Carrie), Kim Criswell (Mrs. White), and Jodie Jacobs (Miss Gardner).