Look who's EVIL now!

On Saturday night, I went to see Evil Dead The Musical at the Diesel Playhouse.  It was supposed to be the closing night, but the run was miraculously extended for another six weeks (a familiar marketing ploy of the producer, Jeffrey Latimer Entertainment).  If you want to check out the official star revue by Richard Ouzounian, you can read it here.  He loved it, and so did I, but our viewpoints differ dramatically on some points.

I should start off by saying that I have never seen the Evil

Dead movies, and because of it, I felt somewhat at a disadvantage. Although, the storyline is not hard to follow - a bunch of college kids break into a deserted cabin in the woods to engage in some hanky-panky, get attacked by demons, and the killing begins.  Not too complicated. The crowd loved every single minute of it, and laughed uproariously at almost every joke.  It actually got to the point where I was wondering if a few of them might not be indulging in some sort of chemical stimulant.  Bottom line is, though, this play is huge campy fun, and people who can't enjoy it should maybe consider indulging in some sort of chemical stimulant.

The men ruled the night in this production.  My favourite was Evil Ed's rendition of "Bit-Part Demon" by Christian Bellsmith.  He had the strongest voice of the cast, and it made me wish he sang more.  Mike "Nug" Nahrgang playing Jake had superior comic timing.  Matt Olmstead was the funniest a$$hat jock I've seen in a long time, and he lit up the stage and the audience in the first act.  And, of course, what show would be complete without the strength of Ryan Ward as Ash - he originated the role and has played it ever since.  He's also a graduate of my alma mater, so I couldn't help but like hime.

For the most part, I could take or leave the girls.  We had the understudy Andrea Irwin as the trusting girlfriend, Linda, and she was thoroughly unremarkable - that is, she was until she couldn't hit all the notes in "Housewares Employees".  Ouzounian loved Sarah Cornell - playing simultaneously the bimbo Shelley and the brainy Annie.  I thought her performance a bit lackluster, and presumed she was cast for her figure (it was stunning, I hate her).  Ouzounian didn't like the little sister played by Rachel Fischer, but I thought she was really talented.  She nailed the jokes, was a strong singer, and her physicality was impressive - especially for someone who spent the majority of the night in a trapdoor.

My main complaint was the sound.  The designer and the sound board operator should be fired.  George Reinblatt has some brilliant lyrics that were lost because you simply couldn't hear them.  That is a travesty.

I have to say, if you're looking for a fun night out, or if you are a reluctant theatre goer, go out and see this one.  You'll love it. And, if you're not chicken like me, make sure you get tickets in the Splatter Zone, dead centre.

Comments

[metro mama]

I thought Rachel Fischer was great, and LOVED Ryan Ward (this is coming from a big Bruce Campbell fan).

The splatter zone is a blast!

[kgirl]

chris is going to see this 'closing' night in august - splatter zone centre, of course. he can't wait. i opted out, simply because i have been coerced into watching the dang movies so many times that i didn't think i could stand it. but now i'm secretly hoping that someone cancels so that i can go too.

[b*babbler]

I had a great time at this play. However, it was a wee bit strange, as the night I was there someone had brought their seemingly 8 and 10 year old children. Um, perhaps not so appropriate?

I, too, found the actress playing Linda to be incredibly underwhelming, particularly in the final dance sequence (Necronomicon). And I loved Nug as Jake, but he went to my alma mater, so that is where my soft spot lies.