This review was published in the Oct/Nov 2023 issue of Musicals Mag. Find more on Musicals Mag here.
Carrie. There’s never been a musical like her. Even the show’s creators — Lawrence D. Cohen, Dean Pitchford, and Michael Gore — would agree. Reflecting on their first workshop, they concede it “would be the last time [they’d] see [the] show the way we’d initially intended.”
Stephen King’s high school horror about a 16-year-old’s tragic prom night didn’t translate theatrically. After 16 previews and five performances, Carrie’s short-lived 1988 Broadway run earned “ultimate flop” status. So, why then, 35 years later, is Carrie experiencing a cultural resurgence?
Following his (and Holly Morgan’s) 10-part Out for Blood podcast, Chris Adams’s tome delves into Carrie lore, unpacking everything from Playbills to plywood, and arguments to artistic ambition. Each chapter explores a different stage in the musical’s life, cataloguing every moment to illuminate what really happened behind all the blood.
Don’t solely take Adams’s word though. A 50-strong cohort of creatives and fans share their personal experiences for what Carrie means to them. In particular, I enjoyed a sweet story from Be More Chill creator Joe Iconis that equated acquiring a Carrie song to a Willy Wonka golden ticket. If a book could catapult you into a rehearsal room from your own home, then Out for Blood would have you watching in the front row.
There’s no Carrie secrets left unsaid either, making this a real page turner, just like its original Stephen King inspiration. In this behind-the-scenes coverage, you’ll learn all about the “Greece vs. Grease” debate and the consequential crucial misunderstanding between the creative team, as well as a string of unlucky moments that plagued any likelihood of success. Plus, there’s untold stories from the original Carrie White, Linzi Hateley, as she reflects on being the RSC’s youngest leading lady at 17.
Adams’s comprehensive text is both approachable and chock-full of information. The Carrie fandom will love unpicking every line over two chapters of song-by-song descriptions — I’d recommend playing the soundtrack as you read for an immersive experience. Meanwhile, readers searching for general knowledge will learn about the legend of Carrie White without being overwhelmed.
Perhaps ironically, Out for Blood is never out for blood; that’s why Adams’s text will surely live on forevermore in the theatre community and beyond. By analysing Carrie through its enduring fan culture, it spins the “flop” narrative, instead celebrating the musical for its artistic courage and bravery to highlight that Carrie was simply ahead of its time.
Sophie Thomas 