Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical at NRACT Is a Fun-Filled Trip Down Memory Lane
This article was published by Triangle Review on 13 October 2025.
The North Raleigh Arts & Creative Theatre's current production of Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical, directed by Mike McGee and choreographed by Molly Hamelin, with music direction by Mary Kathryn Walston, is a deliciously nostalgic, cheeky, and musically charged romp through the morally twisted world of the 1999 cult classic film. The musical adaptation, created by Roger Kumble (the film's original writer and director), along with Lindsey Rosin and Jordan Ross Schindler, premiered in Los Angeles before making its Off-Broadway debut at (Le) Poisson Rouge in 2017.
With its irresistible soundtrack of 1990s pop hits, sharp humor, and unapologetically scandalous characters, the show offers an evening that's equal parts throwback party and dark comedy of manners. Directed with flair and knowing humor by Mike McGee, the production captures both the seductive danger and ironic fun that made the movie such a lasting cultural touchstone.
For those unfamiliar with the story, Cruel Intentions is a modern reimagining of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos' 1782 epistolary novel, Les Liaisons dangereuses, by way of Manhattan's Upper East Side. The story follows stepsiblings Sebastian Valmont (played by Braden Shepstead) and Kathryn Merteuil (Rhiannon Karp), two impossibly beautiful and dangerously manipulative elites who treat seduction as sport. When Kathryn wagers that Sebastian can't deflower Annette Hargrove (Autumn Clark) -- the headmaster's virtuous daughter, who has publicly vowed to save herself for marriage -- the game is set. The result is a gleefully wicked tale of lust, betrayal, and karma, scored to the biggest hits of the late 1990s.
Rhiannon Karp delivers a seductively entertaining performance as Kathryn, the show's conniving antiheroine. With an icy confidence and razor-sharp delivery, Karp reminded me of Anna Kendrick -- with a darker, more dangerous edge. Karp's Kathryn oozes control and charisma, making every manipulation feel like an art form. Vocally, Karp commands the stage, painting every solo with self-righteous cruelty and suppressed longing.
Opposite her, Braden Shepstead's Sebastian is a strong match -- arrogant, charming, and ultimately tragic. His vocals are smooth and enticing, reminiscent of the performers of the original 1990s tunes.
Autumn Clark is luminous as the pure-hearted Annette. Her clear, well-tuned vocals and effortless sincerity bring light to the show's morally murky world. Her voice is as pure as her character, and her duets with Shepstead are beautifully balanced, like 1990s mixtape gold.
Emma Mack is a comedic standout as the naive Cecile Caldwell. Adorable, wide-eyed, and perfectly oblivious, she delivers her lines with expert timing and expressive facial work. Mack's physical comedy adds a bright, bubbly contrast to the show's more intense moments.
Jamaurie Walker (Ronald) and Blythe Meyer (Mrs. Caldwell/Dr. Greenbaum) provide some of the production's biggest laughs. Their performance of TLC's "No Scrubs" brought down the house. Meyer's dual roles are played with wit and a wink, making her one of the evening's secret weapons.
Marcus Kurth (Blaine Tuttle) and Dan Rajaratnam (Greg McConnell) round out the supporting cast with strong pop vocals and easy chemistry. And the ensemble -- dance captain Hannah Ackman, Bryn Callaghan, Ashlynn Charles, and Ashley Keefe Kay -- shines in every group number. Their choreography is tight, their harmonies crisp, and their energy infectious, especially during their exuberant rendition of NSYNC's "Bye Bye Bye," which becomes a joyful communal singalong.
What makes this Cruel Intentions work so well is its self-awareness. The NRACT production never takes itself too seriously. The juxtaposition of steamy intrigue with bubblegum pop hits is both absurd and brilliant. Where else can you find scenes of moral corruption underscored by Gwen Stefani and R.E.M.?
Vicki Lloyd's lighting underscores the show's emotional beats with shifting tones of neon and shadow, while Todd Houseknecht's sound design keeps the vocals clean and the music pulsing. The costumes, designed by Lauren Polak, perfectly evoke the late-1990s prep-school aesthetic -- plaid skirts, tailored blazers, short sundresses.
Ultimately, Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical is less about moral lessons and more about reveling in nostalgia and guilty pleasure. It's smart, sexy, and self-indulgent -- a perfect night out for anyone who's made a mix CD labeled "Feeling Dramatic." The North Raleigh Arts & Creative Theatre's cast leans into the show's over-the-top energy with full commitment, resulting in an irresistibly fun production. For audiences who grew up with the soundtrack -- or just wish they had -- it's an unmissable trip down Memory Lane.
.
.
