In the United States, the episode received a 0.4/2 percent share among adults between the ages of 18 and 49, meaning that it was seen by 0.4 percent of all households, and 2 percent of all of those watching television at the time of the broadcast. Margaret tries one more time to convince Carrie not to go to the prom ("Carrie (Reprise)"), but Carrie doesn't listen. As Carrie puzzles over this new sensation she's been feeling, she grows more agitated.
Sue stumbles into this horrific scene and, hearing Carrie's anguished cries, rushes to her side to comfort her. Jackson eventually earned the consent of Similarly, other unofficial spoofs have been staged over the years, most notably In 2018, a high school production of the musical is the focus of "Opening in a high school gym, the gym teacher, Miss Gardner, is leading her girls' gym class in a strenuous workout ("In"). Cheryl and Josie rehearse, which causes Cheryl to apologize for her actions ("Unsuspecting Hearts"). Carrie is hurt by their name-calling and teasing, but dreams of being vindicated and gaining respect from her peers ("Carrie"). Back at the high school, Sue is confronted by girls who are upset that Carrie is going to the prom. As Carrie dies in her arms, the figures from Sue's memory provide a final, haunting testimony of redemption ("Epilogue"). When pressed, Carrie admits that she herself is not going. Carrie: The Musical sounds like something that the creators of Riverdale might’ve made up for the show, but it’s a very real play. The score and book were revised by original composers Michael Gore and Dean Pitchford, and writer Lawrence D. Cohen. Horrified by this display of power that she's certain is the work of the devil, Margaret cowers in fear as Carrie calmly finishes her dessert. Shaken and shocked into awareness, Sue muses on their encounter ("Once You See"). The production was plagued with script and technical problems. Wary, she repeatedly refuses, until Margaret calls her in for dinner. In retrospect, the exploding light bulb in the shower and Billy's tumble from his skateboard start to make sense. Plans are under way to preserve this production for Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts, so it may live on in the memories of the thousands of theatergoers who saw and loved it. After gym class, Carrie experiences her first period in the shower.
Chris and Billy, hidden high in the rafters above, prepare to unleash their prank, as Sue comes upon Norma switching real Prom ballots for fake ones, arousing her suspicions ("Prom Climax"). When she orders Carrie to tell Tommy that she can't go, they battle and, as rain starts to blow in, Margaret walks away to close the windows. The CW teen drama will unveil its first musical episode later this season, TVLine has learned, as Riverdale High’s drama department mounts a production of Carrie: The Musical… Did Big Brother Ding Ellen?
Alice visits FP at work, but he seems disinterested in her. Worried that her mother will find her with Tommy, Carrie hurriedly accepts the offer to be his date. Wary, she repeatedly refuses, until Margaret calls her in for dinner.
As gym teacher Miss Gardner races in at the height of Carrie's hysteria, an overhead light bulb inexplicably explodes. Betty discovers her mother blames herself for kicking Chic out. As emergency whistles sound and sirens wail, Sue follows the path of destruction that leads through the street to Carrie's house. Concentrating intensely, she succeeds in moving chairs across the room without touching them, startling herself with this newfound power. Angry and embarrassed, Billy tries to blame his seeming clumsiness on Carrie, but the other guys just laugh. Chapter Thirty-One: A Night to Remember ". Chris cues Billy, who yanks the bucket and drenches Carrie in blood. But when she turns a furious glance in his direction, he goes sprawling. With her parents out of town, Chris throws a party at which she recounts to the kids the details of that day's incident with Carrie in the locker room. When Miss Gardner apologizes to the sobbing Carrie for what just happened, Carrie surprises her by insisting that she's got to let Chris go to Prom.
Upset, Miss Gardner tells Chris that she will not be allowed to go to the prom, and Chris vows revenge. Carrie summons the courage to tell her mother about the day's traumatic event. Preparations for Prom and the news that Tommy's taking Carrie preoccupy everyone at school, including Chris and Billy, who sneak into the gymnasium with a bucket of pig's blood and set their own nasty prank in place ("A Night We'll Never Forget"). Margaret releases her from the closet and tearfully apologizes for her actions, prompting Carrie to beg for forgiveness as well. On opening night, Betty arranges for Hal to come to the house and he and Alice reunite. Carrie joins her mother in prayer for a few minutes and then explains what happened in the locker room.
Carrie retaliates, killing Margaret with her powers, and she apologizes as her mother dies. Sue and the other girls comply, but Chris refuses. Sue worries that Tommy is mad at her too, but insists he's merely disappointed, wanting to take his girlfriend to Prom. Miss Gardner and guidance counselor/English teacher Mr. Stephens send Carrie home for the rest of the day. Margaret comforts her daughter ("Carrie (2nd Reprise)") and then stabs her fatally, thinking it will save Carrie's soul. Humiliated and incensed, Carrie realizes her full powers.
Carrie has her first On the way out of the gym, Sue and Chris talk about what just happened in the locker room. The kids are electric with nervous excitement, and Carrie, no less anxious, resolves to make the most of the evening ("Why Not Me?"). Powerless, Sue watches her classmates all perish.