Evil Dead: The Musical


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Evil Dead the Musical
Teaser for the Evil Dead Musical
Music Christopher Bond
Frank Cipolla
Melissa Morris
George Reinblatt
Lyrics George Reinblatt
Book George Reinblatt
Based upon 1981 film The Evil Dead and related franchise
Productions 2007 Diesel Playhouse, Toronto
2006-2007 New World Stages, New York
2004 Just for Laughs, Montreal
2003, Tranzac Toronto

Evil Dead: The Musical is a Canadian off-Broadway show based on the cult classic film series.

Contents

Synopsis

Several college students spend the weekend in an abandoned cabin in the woods, accidentally unleashing an evil terror. In this comedic take on the 80s horror franchise, characters and demons sing and dance to songs written specifically for the musical. And, as in the films, Ash is there to dish out his various one liners and fight the never ending Army of Darkness. Audiences are typically warned that the first few rows may get wet as the play calls for large amounts of stage blood to be splattered . (Ponchos are provided during the 15 minute intermission before Act Two).

The musical takes creative liberty with the plot line of the movies, mixing together the characters and concepts of all three, as well as changing sequences for the sake of the stage and comedic intent.

Production

With the approval of both Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell, a musical version of the film was staged, enjoying a successful workshop in Toronto and performances at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal in 2004. The New York off-Broadway production started previews on October 2, 2006. The Official Opening Night performance was November 1, 2006 and it ran, performing 8 times per week at the New World Stages, until February 17, 2007. Evil Dead: The Musical has recently started production in Toronto starting from May 1, 2007 with the run extended from June 23, 2007 to August 4, 2007. A successful return from Feb 14, 2008 to May has been extended until September 6, 2008.

During the Northeast Blackout of 2003, the intransigent cast and crew performed the show on the front lawn of the Tranzac club in Toronto. The band played acoustic instruments and cast members provided sound effects from backstage. As the evening wore on, flashlights and car headlights were used to illuminate the actors.[citation needed]

Fans enjoy the "splatter zone" -- the first three rows of the theater where patrons can count on a good blood-soaking. Ticket buyers in the Splatter Zone are advised to dress down. In fact, Toronto fans began wearing white t-shirts to take home later as bloody souvenirs which inspired the show's marketing team to start selling "I Survived the Splatter Zone" souvenirs. Ryan Ward, who stars as Ash in the musical, described it as being "unlike any theater show you've ever been to. One word I would describe it as is 'raucous.' It's like a rock concert."

Beginning January 9, 2009, the Willows Cabaret Theatre, in Martinez, California, will revive it's West Coast Premier of Evil Dead: The Musical. No word yet if original cast members will be returning.[1]

Creative Team

Created by the Canadian team of George Reinblatt, Christopher Bond, Frank Cipolla and Melissa Morris, the show is co-directed by Bond and Tony winner and "Buffy" alum, Hinton Battle.

Make-up and Special FX are created by Louis Zakarian, whose film credits include Requiem for a Dream, Dogma and Romeo + Juliet.

Cast members of the New York production included Jennifer Byrne, Jenna Coker, Renee Klapmeyer, Tom Walker, Ryan Ward, Brandon Wardell, and Darryl Winslow.

Cast

Role Toronto 2003 Cast New York 2006-07 Cast Toronto 2007 Cast Toronto 2008 Cast Martinez 2008 Cast Martinez 2009 Cast
Ash Ryan Ward Ryan Ward Ryan Ward Ryan Ward Michael Scott Wells
Cheryl Danielle Meierhenry Jenna Coker Rachel Fischer Alison Smyth Jenny Angell
Linda Victoria Nestorowicz Jennifer Byrne Tara Macri / Carly Jones (joined 6/26/07) Dena Chiarcossi Meghan Ihle
Shelly Mackenzie Lush Renée Klapmeyer / Christy McIntosh (joined 2/10/07) Sarah Cornell Tenja Hagenburg Ji Kim
Scott Matt Olmstead Brandon Wardell Matt Olmstead Kristian Bruun Christopher Mantione
Ed Pat Brown Tom Walker Christian Bellsmith Trevor Martin Lowell Abellon
Annie Ashley Callaghan Renée Klapmeyer / Christy McIntosh (joined 2/10/07) Sarah Cornell Tenja Hagenburg Alexandra Creighton
Moose Tim Evans Tom Walker Trevor Martin Trevor Martin Paul Plain
Jake Daniel Krolik Darryl Winslow Mike "Nug" Nahrgang Mike "Nug" Nahrgang Corey Lenkner
Fake shemp Tim Evans Ryan Williams Trevor Martin Tim Porter Greg Asdourian
Spirit of Knowby Tim Evans Brandon Wardell Trevor Martin Tim Porter Paul Plain

Band

Instrument Band Member
Conductor/Keyboards Daniel Feyer
Guitar/Banjo Butch Thompson
Drums/Percussion Brad "Gorilla" Carbone

Original 2003 Band

Instrument Band Member
Conductor/Drums/Percussion Frank Cipolla
Piano/Keyboards A.K. Dionne
Guitar Sal Guzzo
Bass Dan "Banger" MacKay
Trumpet Adam Sneyd
Trombone/"Necro"-Melodica Ian Tate

Musical numbers

2003

Act One

  • "Cabin in the Woods" (Ash, Linda, Scott, Shelly, Cheryl)
  • "Housewares Employee" (Ash, Linda)
  • "It Won't Let Us Leave" (Cheryl)
  • "Look Who's Evil Now" (Cheryl, Shelly)
  • "What the...?" (Ash, Scott)
  • "Join Us" (Cheryl, Moose)
  • "Good Old Reliable Jake" (Jake)
  • "I'm Not a Killer" (Ash)

Act Two

  • "I'm Not a Killer" reprise (Ash)
  • "Bit-Part Demon" (Ed)
  • "All the Men in My Life Keep Getting Killed by Candarian Demons" (Annie)
  • "Do the Necronomicon" (Candarian Demons)
  • "It's Time" (Full Company)
  • "Hail to the King" (Full Company)

2006 - Current

Act One

  • "Cabin in the Woods" (Ash, Linda, Scott, Shelly, Cheryl)
  • "Housewares Employee" (Ash, Linda)
  • "It Won't Let Us Leave" (Cheryl)
  • "Look Who's Evil Now" (Cheryl, Shelly)
  • "What the...?" (Ash, Scott)
  • "Join Us" (Cheryl, Moose, House Spirits)
  • "Good Old Reliable Jake" (Jake, Annie, Ed)
  • "Housewares Employee" reprise (Ash, Linda)
  • "I'm Not a Killer" (Ash)

Act Two

  • "I'm Not a Killer" reprise (Ash)
  • "Bit-Part Demon" (Ed)
  • "All the Men in My Life Keep Getting Killed by Candarian Demons" (Annie, Ash, Jake)
  • "Ode to an Accidental Stabbing" (Jake, Annie, Cheryl)
  • "Do the Necronomicon" (Candarian Demons)
  • "It's Time" (Full Company)
  • "We Will Never Die" (Candarian Demons)
  • "Blew That Bitch Away" (Full Company)
  • "Groovy" (Instrumental)

Cast recording

An original cast recording was made in December 2006 and was released on April 2, 2007 on Time Life Records.

New York production closing

It was announced on January 31, 2007 that Evil Dead: The Musical's New York production at New World Stages would close on February 17, 2007. [1]

Toronto production

Toronto producers have announced a new Toronto production of the show, starring Ryan Ward at the Diesel Playhouse starting May 1, 2007. While the initial run was only to last until the end of June 2007, it was extended to Aug 4, 2007 and then later extended again to Sept 8 2007. It won the Dora Audience Choice Award and was given four out of four by the Toronto Star. Another extension of the show has it continuing until June 26, 2008. The show that runs on June 26, 2008 will mark the 300th performance of Evil Dead: The Musical, which marks it as the longest running Canadian production in Toronto history. Recently, the musical has been extended once again until September 6, 2008.

[2]

Ottawa production

Sock 'n' Buskin Theatre Company will be staging Evil Dead: The Musical March 12-14 & March 19-21, 2009 http://www.carleton.ca/socknbuskin/mainstage.htm

Seoul production

Seoul producers have announced a Seoul production of the show, starring Jo jeong suk and Ryu jung han. The show opened March 18, 2008.[2]


Norfolk production

Virginia producers are in now in talks of opening a Norfolk production of the show in 2009.

Movie

As of September 8, 2008, it has been reported through various sources that Sam Raimi, director of the original series of movies, has given his okay to producer Don Carmody for the production of a 3D movie version of Evil Dead: The Musical. The new movie will be helmed by the theatrical production's director and will keep its choreographer, as well as some of the original cast members. Carmody has been working on the project with Bill Franzblau and Jeffrey Latimer, the producers of the theatrical musical, in which Carmody was an investor, but are working on the "serious rights issues" before moving forward with the project. Carmody hopes to begin filming in the spring of 2009.[citation needed]

External links

References

  1. ^ Murphy, Joel (November 2006). "Hanging Around... Evil Dead: The Musical". Retrieved on 2007-07-18.
  2. ^ Promotion poster found at Gangnam Station in Seoul.
v • d • e
Sam Raimi's Evil Dead series
The Evil Dead (1981) · Evil Dead II (1987) · Army of Darkness (1993)
Cast
Crew
Related films
Video games
Comic books
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