EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL
Theatre Review
Musical
Evil Dead: The Musical
Co-directed by: Christopher Bond and Hinton Battle
Book and Lyrics by: George Reinblatt
Music by: Frank Cipolla, Christopher Bond, Melissa Morris and George Reinblatt
Choreography by: Hinton Battle
Set Design by: David Gallo
Cast: Dena Chiarcossi, Alison Smyth, Tenja Hagenburg, Ryan Ward, Kristian Bruun, Trevor Martin, Mike "Nug" Nahrgang, Tim Porter, Andrea Brown

www.evildeadthemusical.com

2008 Season - Extended until June 14^th
Where: Diesel Playhouse, 56 Blue Jays Way, Toronto
When: May 15^th, 2008  

Reviewed By: Brittney Teasdale (Downtown Toronto Correspondent - Canada)  

Evil Dead: The Musical brings Sam Raimi's classic cult horror films of the 80s back to life. With the use of campy songs, red corn syrup for blood splatter, and witty humor. The epic films, which has captured the eye of many people, has been transformed into a hilarious live-stage production. Toronto is the city where the musical began and even after its success in Montreal and New York, the production returned home. The combination of an energetic cast, riveting songs, and fake blood, leaves the audience jumping off the edge of their seats in laughter and out of their skin in fright!

The set is simple yet intriguing, filled with moving kitchenware and a talking moose head positioned on the wall. The musical involves two acts, which run for an hour long, broken apart by a twenty minute intermission. In the first act, five students venturing off to "a cabin in the woods" for what they presume to be a fun-filled spring break.  The intimate nature of the Diesel Playhouse is perfect for the musical as it places the audience directly in the setting of the story. The audience is reached out to, and squirted blood at, which made me feel like a part of the event.  

Ash was played by Kristian Bruun at this performance, the role of Scott was played by Tim Porter and some of the roles which are usually played by Tim Porter were played by Andrea Brown. The quality of the acting was great, although one could say it is easy to "overact," personally, I was sold. The show is filled with song, dance, and down-right dirty humor. I would have to say that all of the actors in the play had standout performances, although, one character did leave an impression on me. "Jake," played by Mike "Nug" Nahrgang, was hilarious! Jake is the creepy hick who helps to guide Annie and Ed to Annie's father's cabin in the wood, ironically the same cabin that the teens crashed. He reminded me of Jack Black, so if you are a fan of his humor, I am sure he will enjoy this performer as well.

Involving songs such as "What the F*@k was That?" performed by Ash and Scott, and "All the Men in my Life Keep Getting Killed by Candarian Demons," sung by Annie, Ash, and Jake, it is palpable why Evil Dead has been extended in Toronto at the Diesel Playhouse until June 14^th. I urge that everyone who has a couple hours in the evening to spare rushes to get tickets, and preferably for the "splatter zone." Although the show is not for children, it will appeal to both teenagers and adults with either exceptional, or no knowledge, of the films in which the musical is based.

Needless to say, I must admit that prior to the show I was slightly skeptical but within the first five minutes I was captivated. Do not be swayed from the show solely because you are not familiar with the cult film classics. With or without knowledge of the films you will have an exceptional experience, leaving the theatre with a smile and red corn syrup all over your face (first two rows!). The show is accompanied with the option of sitting at tables, in which you can purchase food and beverages at the beginning of the show and at intermission.  

Sit back, soak in the grooviness, grab a beverage and "look who's evil now!" Bloody fantastic!