Evil Dead: The Musical
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By: George Reinblatt (book) and Christopher Bond, Frank Cipolla, Melissa Morris, George Reinblatt (music) Directed by Philip Archey Music Direction by Michael Dombrow |
Synopsis:
Based on Sam Raimi’s 80s cult classic films, EVIL DEAD tells the tale of 5 college students who travel to a cabin in the woods and accidentally unleash an evil force. And although it may sound like a horror story, it’s not! The songs are hilariously campy and the show is bursting with more farce than a Monty Python skit. EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL unearths the old familiar story: boy and friends take a weekend getaway at abandoned cabin, boy expects to get lucky, boy unleashes ancient evil spirit, friends turn into Candarian Demons, boy fights until dawn to survive. As musical mayhem descends upon this sleepover in the woods, “camp” takes on a whole new meaning with uproarious numbers like “All the Men in my Life Keep Getting Killed by Candarian Demons,” “Look Who’s Evil Now”, and “Do the Necronomicon”.
Ash: Jesse Baskin
Linda: Katie Pond
Scotty: Ra’Shawn Durell
Shelly: Gretchen Wright
Cheryl: Susanna Todd
Annie: Laura Fontaine
Ed: Sean Cafferky
Jake: Glen Bartram
Moose/Prof: Stephen Wheeler
Director: Phillip Archey
Music Director: Mike Dombrow
Choreographer: Kelly Sharon
Assistant Director: Wayne Jacques
Producer: Theresa Bender
Stage Manager: Colleen Stock
Asst Stage Manager: Liz Stock
Technical Director: Rick Wilson
Set Design: Kevin King
Master Carpenter: Earl Boatman
Lighting Design: Ian Claar
Sound Design: Ben Allen
Special Effects: Jeff Bender
Costume Design: Jacquin Pierce-Allen
Costume Assistant: Lilian Colquitt
Props: Trevor Johnston
House Management: Barbara Carpenter
“How can this be real?” I echoed Ash’s sentiments when Taking Flight Theatre Company accepted my proposal to stage Evil Dead: The Musical. I remember being a younger boy and watching the original film and being terrified, and then laughing until it hurt as a teenager when the trilogy ended with Army of Darkness. For many years, these movies and the characters have been near and dear to my heart and, to this day, I continue a traditional Halloween viewing of all three.
When I first heard of the musical being released Off-Broadway in 2006, I’ll admit I was one skeptical Deadite. How could they possibly transfer the essence of Evil Dead to the stage and in a musical format? Quite brilliantly. The musical, though it takes liberties of lines and character, captures everything that the fans love about the movies. The dialogue is sharp and witty. The plot a tad inconsistent. The music is catchy and memorable and, of course, the show has copious amounts of blood. What I found interesting is, like the films, the musical harkens to comedy very similar to the Three Stooges where slapstick, schadenfreude, and the ability to take yourself very seriously in the delivery of those moments is much funnier than playing for the laugh. It is this faithful transference, and the little jabs, pokes, and homages to the films, that have created a cult fan base of almost Rocky Horror Show proportions for this musical. Yet it is still accessible to those who hear Necronomicon and don’t immediately think “book of the dead.”
This has been an incredible journey, full of discovery, that I’ve had the pleasure to make with a very talented staff, cast and crew. Some people knew nothing about the movies or show before coming on and others were as diehard fans as myself but all have come together for this purpose and it is the hard work and dedication of many that has gone into what you are about to see.
To those who are here for a different kind of night at the theater, those who are curious, and the most hardcore Deadites, “it’s time” to grab your “boomstick,” “come get some,” and be glad you decided to “join us!” You’re in for a hell of a ride!
–Phillip M. Archey
When will pickets be available for purchase?
No Later than April 3rd.
I saw this in NY and it is AMAZING.
The most important question is however: will this theater feature a ‘Splatter Zone’?
Yes. It will indeed feature a Splatter Zone. Tickets are general admission, so line-up early to be seated in the Zone.
I cant wait to see this… I totally wanna be in the Splatter Zone!!! *LOL*
Check out some of the press for the show on LoudounTimes.com
http://www.loudountimes.com/index.php/communities/article/governors_academies_the_splatter_zone_spring_luncheon_blithe_spirits_bike_a/
What’s the rating on this? PG-13 or R.
R for simulated violence and strong language.
Not to mention sexual themes. It’s a ‘hard R’.