Civic Theatre of Allentown Artistic Director William Sanders has done it again.

He’s directing a seasonally-appropriate musical to open Civic’s season.

This time it’s “Carrie: The Musical,” Oct. 7-23. In the previous two seasons, Civic opened with “The Addams Family” and “Young Frankenstein.”

Civic’s 2016-17 season continues with its annual production of “A Christmas Carol,” Dec. 2-17 on the main stage and, in a first for Civic, a second show running simultaneously, “The SantaLand Diaries,” Dec. 9-18 in Theatre 5014.

The season continues with “9 to 5,” Feb. 10-26, and the 20th anniversary production for Civic of “Angels In America: Millennium Approaches,” May 5-10, and “Angels In America: Perestroika,” May 11-20.

Civic’s production of “Carrie: The Musical” is believed to be the first time it’s been presented in the Lehigh Valley.

“I think the logistics of it are difficult,” says Sanders. “And I think a lot of people shy away from the material. It’s not a toe-tapper. It’s not intended to be that. There are some humorous elements.”

The musical, based on the 1976 film starring Sissy Spacek in the title role, was adapted from Stephen King’s 1974 novel, “Carrie.”

The book for the musical is by Lawrence D. Cohen, who wrote the screenplay for the movie, with lyrics by Dean Pitchford and music by Michael Gore.

Carrie (August Fegley in Civic’s production) is an insecure teen who has telekinetic powers. She has a domineering religious fanatic mother (Tracey Ceschin). After Carrie is humiliated at the high school prom, she exacts revenge.

Says Sanders, in his 23rd season at Civic:

“‘Carrie’ was a show that I was always interested in. And we’ve started doing something that’s a little seasonal in the Halloween time. It’s certainly not in the same vein as ‘Addams Family’ and ‘Young Frankenstein.’

“It’s a parable about bullying, which was certainly what the novel was about. It’s about bullying more than the event, but the event is still pretty spectacular.”

Look for some special stagecraft at Civic for “Carrie.”

“Oh, yes, there’s blood, and fire and sparks and projections,” Sanders says, who directs a cast of 20 in “Carrie.”

There are plans to address the topic of teen and pre-teen bullying with one or two talkbacks after some performances. “Hopefully, just doing the piece will start an audience dialogue. It is R-rated. There is considerable language and some sexuality.

“The fundamentalism is such an issue. I think there’s great love between them [the mother and daughter]. I think the mother is insane. She’s not simply religious.

“I saw the notorious 1988 [Broadway] production. It was just awful, but there were things about it that were brilliant. I was really intrigued by it.

“Then they did this production in 2012, which ran for six months, which for off-Broadway, was decent. When they did the cast recording, I fell in love with it.

“I’m always interested in stories about bullying and high school characters and teen angst. I don’t know that many of us ever get over that.”

Sanders previously directed August Fegley, 16, who plays Carrie, in Civic’s “A Christmas Carol” and in “Annie,” the latter for the Civic Theatre School. “She’s a wonderful actor. All those kids from the [Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the] Performing Arts get wonderful training over there.

“I think it’s important that people know it’s for mature audiences. I don’t want people to be offended by the language. I think it’s appropriate to the story. It’s important for it to be true to how kids speak.”

As with Civic main stage productions, there’s a “Ladies Night Reception” for “Carrie,” Oct. 13, with a complimentary pre-show reception in Civic’s Theatre514.

Civic Theatre of Allentown Associate Artistic Director-Production Manager Will Morris directs “The SantaLand Diaries,” with Jarrod Yuskauskas, Moravian Academy Director of Theater, in the lead role of the one-man show.

“It runs concurrent with ‘Christmas Carol,’” says Sanders. The production is a return for theater in Civic’s Theatre 514, which is across 19th Street from Civic’s 19th Street Theatre.

Regarding Civic’s 2016-17 season, Sanders says, “The initial idea was to do ‘9 to 5’ in the fall, but everyone was saying ‘Carrie’’s perfect for Halloween. So, I’m really glad we made that change.”

Of “Angels In America,“ Sanders says, “I think it’s going to be extraordinary for all the actors and the audience.”

Season subscription and “Carrie: The Musical” ticket information: Civic Theatre of Allentown Box Office, 527 N. 19th St., Allentown; civictheatre.com; 610-432-8943