Evil Dead: DIS-ARM-INGLY BRILLIANT

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 4:06am

Hello All!

Now, as many of you are well aware, I had the grand opportunity to see EVIL DEAD: The Musical last night (Thursday, November 30th) at the 8:00PM performance at New World Stages. I was able to snag a pair of tickets, treating a friend of mine, two days prior to attending. We sat in the third row of the center orchestra, and we experienced quite the joyride, let me tell you! The first 3 rows of the theater are covered in plastic. Why, you ask? Read on...

If you're at all familiar with the 80's cult-classic film(s), you don't have to read this brief overview. However, for those who are unclear as to 'what in the blue hell I'm talking about,' feel free to take-in this paragraph. The main storyline of the musical incarnation unearths the old familiar story: boy and his 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.

First and foremost, the acting was really something else. The company always had a tight grip on maneuvering from somber and serious to rollin'-on-the-floor comedic. All of their voices were incredible, that of course, should be credited as a very positive aspect of the show's production. Captained by the incomparable Ryand Ward (Ash), the band of seemingly bright-eyed, warm-spirited, horny-as-anything misfits turned possessed, cold-hearted, Candarian demons consist of: Jennifer Byrne (Linda), Jenna Coker (Cheryl), Renee Klapmeyer (Shelly), Brandon Wardell (Scott, Spirit of Knowby), Tom Walker (Ed, Moose), and Darryl Winslow (Jake). All of the aforementioned cast members most definitely know how to put on a show!

As wonderful as this cast is, the orchestrations brighten the show even-more-so. With a score composed by Frank Cipolla, Christopher Bond, Melissa Morris and George Reinblatt, with Mr. Reinblatt taking-on the task of penning book and lyrics, the 16-song tuner envelopes any-which-audience member from the very beginning. I adore the entire score, really, but if I *had* to choose my "Top 5 Favorites" they would be (in no particular order): "All the Men in My Life", "What the...?", "Ode to an Accidental Stabbing", "Housewares Employee", and "Cabin in the Woods".

I cannot go on without making mention of the technical and visual aspects of the show either. I found the lighting (strobe included), the smoke, the gun/gunfire, the knives, and the ever popular chainsaw were all popular with the audience last night! The good folks in "The Splatter Zone" were wearing ponchos ... except for me and my guest who decided not to get them, and enjoy the ENTIRE experience. We had a BLOODY good time, to say the least! It was reaffirmed when he told me: "There's a line between 'very good' and 'amazing', and this show was 'amazing'!" That, to me, meant a heck of a lot!

As expected, I was the one starting all of the big pops (before, during and after) death scenes, amazingly monumental moments in the film extremely well-crafted and revamped for the stage adaptation, and everything else that struck me as 'genius'. Now, I know several others out there will disagree, but I figure that being 19, fairly young compared to other theatergoers, I feel that this show has 'something' special.

In closing, I really, really, REALLY enjoyed this musical. I had my doubts, not having seen any of the films, but I was told that it was going to be a fantastic evening of straight-up fun times! Boy, were "my peeps" right! I can't tell you just how much I got from this show...as a fan of theater, as a fan of "pure talent," and as an aspiring composer/lyricist myself 'looking for a direction to take my work.'

My friend and I have plans on spread the good word to others, sharing in the merriment and (sometimes) bewilderment of this soon-to-be 'cult-classic' of a musical ... so-much-so that we have made plans to purchase tickets to a future performance where we plan on sitting front row this time, with 2 or 3 other of our closest friends and colleagues. EVIL DEAD: The Musical WILL soon be dubbed: The ROCKY HORROR of My Generation. Oh, it's true! Just remember, you heard it HERE first!

Best,
- Mike