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Carrie: The Musical promises terrifyingly good time at Playhouse Merced
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Rachel Pearre stars as Carrie and Dianne Kocher is Margaret in Playhouse Merceds Carrie: The Musical. - photo by Photo Contributed

“I will not cry, I’m okay, I try so hard to play their way…”

Just in time for the Halloween season, Carrie: The Musical,” based on Stephen King’s famous novel with the same name, is at Playhouse Merced.

Set in present-day Chamberlain, Maine, Carrie White has been relentlessly teased, picked on and bullied her entire life. Her mother, Margaret, is a religious zealot who isn’t afraid to spare the rod to protect Carrie from a life of sin and preventing her from repeating the same mistakes Margaret made. And while Carrie has always known she was different than the other kids, it’s not until something is unleashed in her, giving her supernatural abilities beyond imagination.

A musical tragedy that addresses very real issues in society, “Carrie: The Musical” explores how sometimes being viewed as different — and the relentless bullying that often goes with it — quietly impacts a person until that person inevitably breaks.

“Carrie: The Musical” is directed by Rob Hypes, musically directed by Darrel Lingenfelter, choreographed by Corey Strauss, and stars Rachel Pearre as Carrie and Dianne Kocher as Margaret. It also co-stars Emily Johnson as head bully, Chris; Jeshamon Volkerts as Tommy; Stefani Potter as Sue; Corey Strauss as Billy; and Theresa Hong as Ms. Gardner.

“Carrie: The Musical” is playing through Sunday. Tickets are on sale now for Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Purchase tickets by going online to https://www.facebook.com/PlayhouseMerced, calling 725-8587, or visiting the box office at 452 West Main Street in downtown Merced, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.