FLAGLER

Shock and Awe

Spotlight Performers resurrect 'Carrie: The Musical'

Danielle Anderson Correspondent
Kianna Longway takes on the role of antagonist Chris Hargensen in the upcoming performance of "Carrie: The Musical", directed by Collin Sloan is this season's selection for The Spotlight Performers, set to open on June 20th at the Flagler Playhouse.

Some moments in entertainment history are so shocking, they’re unforgettable. You may not have seen the movie, but chances are you’ve seen the iconic photo of a young girl wearing a prom dress, drenched in blood.

That's "Carrie."

Bringing to life the graphic, fictional tale of Carrie White, The Spotlight Performers are set to open “Carrie: The Musical” on June 20, at the Flagler Playhouse for one weekend only.

[READ ALSO: Flagler teen launches theater company]

It’s become a cult classic over the years since horror writer Stephen King released the book in 1974, inspiring the Brian De Palma film of the same name in 1976. Lawrence D. Cohen, writer of the film script, went on to craft the theater musical, working with composer Michael Gore, and the play debuted in 1988 with the Royal Shakespeare Company before heading to Broadway for a brief run.

Today’s generation may not know the film but when Collin Sloan, founder of the local theater troupe, announced this year’s selection for their summer performance, actors came from as far as Orlando to audition.

Landing the role of tortured teen Carrie White is Tatum Ivy. With a background in high school and community theater, Ivy is excited to take on the iconic role.

“This is my first actual lead role and it’s something I’ve never done before,” said Ivy. “It’s not like any other show. Just the technical aspect and the things that are expected of every actor — it’s really a lot.”

Across the stage stands her antagonist, Chris Hargensen, played by Kianna Longhway. The Matanzas High School graduate has just completed her Associate of Arts degree from Daytona State College and is acting in her last local show before heading to New York City to attend the Atlantic Acting School. An actor with The Spotlight Performers since its inception in 2016, she appreciates the opportunity to support friend and director Sloan, even if it means playing the bad girl.

“I’ve never really played an antagonist before and I was like, well, she’s belty, her voice is in my range so why don’t I try it, and I ended up getting the role,” said Longhway. “It’s definitely different but I’m very happy to be in this production.”

Balancing the scales is Skylar Dowman, whose character, Sue Snell, has a crisis of conscience. She hopes theater-goers will connect with the words she saw on the first page of her script.

“She’s the popular girl gone good,” said Dowman. “I think the musical tells a different side of the characters, adds so much depth, and the music plays a huge part in it.”

“It’s interesting that when you open our script, the preface is that you should treat everyone around you with kindness and I think that is something people should take away from the show,” she said.

As with any piece selected by Sloan for The Spotlight Performers, there is always a theme and an opportunity to push the boundaries a bit for the casts composed of high school and college students.

“We’re kind of following suit of movies made into musicals that follow our standard, in a sense,” said Sloan. “'Heathers' last season was such a huge hit and everyone knows 'Carrie.' Even if you haven’t seen the movie, you know the iconic scene of the Sissy Spacek drenched in blood photo. It’s a pop culture icon kind of thing.”

[READ ALSO: Spotlight Performers take a spin through 'Heathers']

“For this one I’m kind of hoping they take away the idea of how much words can impact somebody,” he said. “We see throughout the show that Carrie is miserably bullied. It isn’t subtle, it’s obvious and the lengths that they push her to that cause such destruction shows how words can have power and you can do things to right them.”

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If you go

WHAT: “Carrie: The Musical”

WHERE: Flagler Playhouse, 301 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell

WHEN: 7 p.m. June 20-22; 2 p.m. June 23

COST: Tickets are $22

DETAILS: Visit thespotlightperformers.tix.com/