Review: Evil Dead: The Musical. Book and Lyrics by George Reinblatt. Based on the screenplay by Sam Raimi. Music by Frank Cipolla, Christopher Bond, Melissa Morris and George Reinblatt. Additional Lyrics by Christopher Bond. Additional Music by Rob Daleman. Directed and Choreographed by Christopher Zinovitch. Musical Direction by Kim Dare. With James Padilla, Lisa Hill, Kate Jaeger, Ryan Demerick. Now through November 20 at ArtsWest.
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| Kate Jaeger and James Padilla in Evil Dead: the Musical. Photo by Michael Brunk/ArtsWest |
Some folks idolize gore/horror films, (you know who you are, you Fangoria subscribers!) and some folks can’t abide them. I’m in the middle on that argument; I like GOOD gore/horror, when they’re smart, witty and cleverly executed. Few such films exist in this genre, but one of the best examples would be Sam Raimi’s “Evil Dead” series of films. The original, ultra-low budget film has been a horror classic since its initial release in 1981 and has a large and loyal cult following, (star Bruce Campbell and other actors from the film were just in Seattle this weekend for ZomBcon). And, since musical theater producers are desperate for new, sure-fire properties to adapt into stage musicals, it only makes sense that some enterprising Canadians would turn this classic “gorror” film into a campy, “Rocky Horror” style musical. I’ve not been shy about bitching about the lazy trend of turning any old movie into a musical, mainly because it seldom works and it’s artistically lazy and dull, but I’m happy to report that “Evil Dead: The Musical” is a fun, witty, silly theater event. It’s not deep, or meaningful, or significant, but it is a solidly entertaining two hours of live theater, for fans of the horror genre and the camp musical.
It’s a cute show, but a crummy production can kill the best source material. Happily for Seattle theater nerds, the fine folks at ArtsWest have produced a sharp, clever show with strong performances and some nifty stage craft. Director/choreographer Christopher Zinovitch keeps the pace moving briskly and does a fine job of moving the actors around the rather awkwardly shaped ArtsWest stage. The designers have come up with a winning, cartoony set and expressive lighting and some very clever bits of stage magic to produce everything from Evil Horny Trees, to Talking Moose Heads, to Chainsaw Massacres, and GALLONS of fake blood. (Yes, there is a “Splatter Zone” so I advise you to NOT wear nice clothes/shoes to this show; yes, they do provide rain ponchos for folks sitting in the front row, but better safe than sorry!)
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| James Padilla, center in blue shirt, surrounded by the doomed kids of Evil Dead: the Musical. Photo by Michael Brunk. |
The youthful cast is talented, fresh and energetic. James Padilla makes a fine leading man, as “Ash” the nice guy hero who goes from low-key average guy to deranged superhero over the course of the show. Mr Padilla had great energy, a fine singing voice and knows out to play the subtext in the campy humor. Equally fine as the unlikely heroine, is Kate Jaeger as Annie, the bossy daughter of the owner of the cabin being besieged. Ms Jaeger is an excellent musical comedienne and clearly relished her leading role, and it was nice to see some “casting against type” in casting her, a “full figured” character actress, in a role usually cast with a svelte ingenue. Jaeger and Padilla made an excellent musical comedy couple.
The other actors were also quite good, with Lisa Hill shining as the “good” girl sister Cheryl who quickly turns “evil”, and Ryan Demerick as the horndog buddy who scoffs at the notion of “The Evil Dead” running amok in the woods. And, a shout out to Margo Walker’s clever costumes and Dan Schuy’s set and prop design. Both were winners.
Who’s this for? Fans of the film and horror gore in general. Lover’s of “Rocky Horror” style camp musical theater. Folks with a sense of humor who might enjoy getting sprayed with Kool-Aid blood.
– Michael Strangeways
