Evil Dead the Musical

Postcard Review by Caroline Russell-King

Show – Evil Dead the Musical

Playwright – Book and lyrics by George Reinblatt & Christopher Bond, music by Frank Cipolla, Christopher Bond, Melissa Morris, & George Reinblatt based on characters created by Sam Raimi

Production Company/Theatre space – Alberta Theatre Projects in association with The Globe Theatre / Martha Cohen Theatre at the Werklund Centre.

Length – 2 Acts (2 hour, 15 mins, one intermission)

Genre/s – Musical Fantasy Horror Spoof

Premise – A group of friends get trapped in a cabin in the woods and discover it was the home of a researcher who was studying a book of evil incantations that create vengeful zombies – what could possibly go wrong?

Why this play? Why now? – Big crowd pleaser with diehard fans … in the Halloween slot.

Curiosities – Why don’t more theatres consider that the experience for the patron begins in the lobby? (I cracked up the first blood-soaked female with, “I’ve had periods like that”). How do we involve more audiences with splash zone interaction, even metaphorically? Still thinking about Alex Sarian’s book The Audacity of Relevance; how can more theatre consider the audience in an outward looking way, as opposed to artists creating for inward satisfaction?

Notable Moment – Interactive lobby zombies (some very serious, others playing for laughs).

Notable writing – Having the appearance of being an effortless script concocted in a cabin by some frat boys this spoof probably wrote itself. This inherently theatrical story is an over-the-top collection of references from horror films liberally sprinkled with puns, double entendres, fucks, and silliness. What it boils down to is fun.

Notable performances – Mark Sinongco has the fun task of bringing Ash the retail clerk turned gun-slinging chainsaw-wielding hero to life (to death and then back to life again). He and his gang comprise Caulin Moore, Kenni Chomyn, Sierra Haynes, and Amanda Trap who are exuberant, energetic, and equally talented.

Notable design/Production – Set Designer Anton Degroot and Costume Designer Deitra Kalyn, provide the great visuals while Ajay Badoni and Darren Young give us killer lighting and sound design.

Notable direction –Jennifer Brewin not only does a bang-up job (along with Fight Director, Brianna Johnston, Choreographer Sarah Dowling, and Musical Director Benjamin Redant) but she does something unusual in her director’s notes - she acknowledges the army of backstage crew who contribute so much unseen by the audience (not

to mention clean up on aisle nine.)

One reason to see this show – This show slays.