Evil Dead: The Musical at ArtsWest in Seattle: A Stage Play Review

Originally a Toronto show, Evil Dead: the Musical was a concept that was literally years in the making. It started as a workshop production at Toronto’s Transac Club in 2003 and it later moved to Montreal as part of the 22nd Just for Laughs Festival. In 2006, this musical made its Off-Broadway debut in New York City and it even made the Billboard Show Charts.

After this type of inspiring success, there is no doubt that local productions will start appearing throughout North America and get interpreted differently. At Seattle’s ArtWest, this play is performed by local veterans and is back for a rousing second year. Any kinks they might have had from the first year were ironed out and the opening night was solid.

Everyone from the music pit and the actors on stage were on top of their game. These performers show a clear love for the material, and the synergy was high that night. From the opening number, “Cabin in the Woods” to “Do the Necronomicon,” the melodies featured varied in musical styles. Ragtime, 60's surfer music, contemporary, disco, 80's pop and doo-wop are just a few of the genres used, and it helps create a unique product that is more about the music than the movies. When considering the variety of music used here, shades of Rocky Horror Picture Show and Little Shop of Horrors can be found in this narrative.

Nods from these shows and all three Evil Dead films can be found in this play. From the original movie are the main characters—Ash (James Padilla), Linda (Elise Campello), Cheryl (EmilyRose Frasca), and Scott (Ryan Demerick). Padilla has the chin to pull off the title role and he has the physical prowess to handle the demands needed when “The Hand” comes alive to torment him. Both Frasca and Demerick have a great comic timing to make their performances hilarious, and Campello has a beautiful voice to make her duet with Padilla in “Housewares Employee” mesmerizing.

From Evil Dead II, Annie Knowby (Kate Jaeger) and Ed (Daniel Stoltenberg) provide a brilliant additional narrative that helps develop a story. When they meet up with Ash, what they see does not look as bad as what Ash claims “the situation” to be. They find him trying to slay a wisecracking head.

Knowby is spectacular with her number, “All the Men in my Life Keep Getting Killed by Candarian Demons.” She has an energy that keeps on going like an Energizer Bunny. And that’s not the only pop culture reference to be found.

Audiences familiar with the movies will find plenty of recognizable quotes and memorable moments, but there is more: detail hounds will love the set, namely the bookshelf—a copy of “If Chins Could Kill” by Bruce Campbell is pulled out and from a distance, several Hardy Boys novels are easily recognizable.

Even the dance numbers are beautifully choreographed. In a medium-sized stage, to see nine Deadites descend upon Ash is quite an unforgettable moment, but to see them strut their stuff ala Thriller and “The Henry Winkler” only affirms what this show is all about. It’s a tribute to pop culture, and Evil Dead is part of that lexicon. As Ash would say, “groovy!”

The ArtsWest production only makes one reference to Army of Darkness instead of making it part of the act.

Also, depending on the production company, the Splatter Zone (where audiences get sprayed with blood) may or may not get fully soaked. Other shows boast a wider targeting range and that can span up to three rows starting at the front. Now these are the productions that die-hards will go for. They will be hit by plenty of blood as the chainsaw does its magic. If cleanup was not such a hassle, to go loose on the bloody action will satisfy one type of crowd, but for others, the ArtsWest production of Evil Dead: the Musical still does a wonderful job. The live song and dance numbers are the key here, and no one missed a beat.

Location:

ArtsWest
4711 California Avenue Southwest
Seattle, WA 98116-4412, United States
(206) 938-0963

Schedule details:

Runs Oct 19th to Nov 12th
Weds – Sat: 7:30pm
Sundays, October 23rd at 3:00p.m.; October 30 and Nov. 6 at 7:30pm
Late Night: Fridays & Saturdays at 11:00pm
Costume Party: Friday, October 28 at 6:00pm (special price)
Halloween: Monday, October 31 at 7:30pm

More on the play can be found here:

Evil Dead: The Musical Official Webpage

The Evil Dead Musical Fan Page on Facebook

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