The cast from ‘Riverdale’ will be performing an all musical episode coming up later this season…
‘Riverdale’ is planning an all musical episode coming up in April.
The CW series based on characters from Archie Comics will see the high school students attending Riverdale High putting on a performance of ‘Carrie the Musical’ based on the original book from Stephen King.
In the ‘Riverdale’ adaptation, Cheryl Blossom (Madelaine Petsch) will portray the lead role as Carrie White, the student who is the victim of bullying at school — including a bucket of pig’s blood being dropped on her at the prom — and ends up taking her revenge thanks to telekinetic powers that allow her to topple buildings with only her mind.
The CW made the ‘Riverdale’ musical episode official with a press release that read link an excerpt from the student newspaper, the Blue and Gold.
“RIVERDALE, NY (January 24, 2018) — The Riverdale High Drama Department (RHDD), in conjunction with the Lodge Family, is pleased to present as its Spring Production, “Carrie: The Musical,” a dark-yet-catchy cautionary tale exploring the gritty realities of small-town high school life. Future Tony Winner Kevin Keller helms as director, combining iconic elements from the novel, 1976 movie, 1988 Broadway production, 2012 Off-Broadway revival, and 2013 remake to create a retro-yet-timeless interpretation of Stephen King’s horror classic. Additionally, a behind-the-scenes documentary following the making of “Carrie: The Musical” will be filmed by student videographer and journalist Jughead Jones.
The book of “Carrie: The Musical” was written by Lawrence D. Cohen, with lyrics by Dean Pitchford, and music by Michael Gore. The show debuted on Broadway in 1988 and ran for only 16 previews and 5 performances. But “Carrie” was given award-winning new life when it was reworked and revived Off-Broadway in 2012. It includes the unforgettable songs “The World According to Chris,” “A Night We’ll Never Forget,” and “Unsuspecting Hearts.”
Riverdale High’s tragic heroine Cheryl Blossom leads the cast as Carrie White in this avant-garde production, where she is antagonized by mean-girl Chris Hargensen (recent transplant Veronica Lodge) and supported by golden-couple Sue Snell and Tommy Ross (Riverdale High’s brightest, Betty Cooper and Archie Andrews). Special appearances by budding star Josie McCoy (playing sympathetic gym teacher Miss Gardner) and Riverdale High alum Alice Cooper (as Carrie White’s mother, Margaret).
Adapted from Stephen King’s Carrie and produced by RHDD (Newsies, Kinky Boots, Little Shop of Horrors, Our Town) in association with the Lodge Family (SoDale, Pickens Day 2018), “Carrie: The Musical” tells the story of a painfully shy, outcast teenage girl with telekinetic abilities who is oppressed by her peers and religious-zealot mother—until she’s pushed to her breaking point and unleashes a terrible revenge. The production stars Cheryl Blossom, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Archie Andrews, Reggie Mantle, Josie McCoy, Alice Cooper, Toni Topaz, Ethel Muggs, Midge Klump, and Moose Mason. Kevin Keller directs, with Assistant Director Fangs Fogarty. Special thanks to Fred Andrews of Andrews Construction for sets and lumber.”
It’s an elaborate press release, which goes to show what’s being put into this musical episode for ‘Riverdale’. By the look of things, it appears at least part of the episode will be seen through Jughead’s eyes as he’s shooting a documentary about the production while most of the cast will be appearing in the musical performance.
The musical episode of ‘Riverdale’ will debut on the CW on Wednesday night, April 19 at 8pm ET.
