TOXIC AVENGER Aiming for Broadway Pre-Tonys?

Texas' Alley Theatre is currently presenting a revised version of  The Toxic Avenger starring Tony nominee Constantine Maroulis, and featuring several new songs and revised book by the Tony Award-winning creative team of Memphis, Bon Jovi founding member and keyboardist David Bryan and Joe DiPietro. John Rando (Tony Winner for Urinetown) returns to the Alley to reinvent his hilarious 2009 Off-Broadway staging of The Toxic Avenger, and according to an interview with chron.com, he's hoping to squeeze the new version of the show into the 2012 Broadway season before the deadline for this year's Tony Awards.

Rando revealed: 'Of course, none of us knows if the show will go to Broadway. That depends on producers' interest after this version opens here - and whether they can book a theater in time for the Tony deadline. My focus is on the show. And I always love working at the Alley, so the Houston run is an end in itself. Hopefully, all the improvements we're making will just make the whole thing funnier.'

The Toxic Avenger is a zany love story and laugh-out-loud musical that has it all – an unlikely hero, his beautiful girlfriend, a corrupt New Jersey mayor, an onstage band, and two guys who play ... well, everyone else ... bullies, mobsters, old ladies, and stiletto-wearing back-up singers. The Toxic Avenger runs January 13 – February 12, 2012, on the Hubbard Stage. Due to language, recommended for teens and adults.

Constantine Maroulis plays Melvin Ferd the Third who, after getting dumped in a barrel of toxic waste, becomes The Toxic Avenger. Constantine made his Broadway debut in 2006 in the Tony Nominated production of The Wedding Singer and recently performed in the acclaimed national tour of the Tony Award Nominated Best Musical, Rock of Ages. He originated the role of Drew on Broadway in April 2009 and received a Best Actor Tony nomination. He was a finalist on the fourth season of American Idol.

Nancy Opel reprises her off-Broadway role as the corrupt Mayor Babs Belgoody as well as Ma Ferd and Nun. Opel received Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics, and Lortel nominations for her performance in The Toxic Avenger. She was Tony-nominated for her role in Urinetown and is coming to the Alley direct from the Broadway production of Memphis.

The cast for The Toxic Avenger also features Mara Davi as Sarah, Toxie’s hot love interest, Mitchell Jarvis as White Dude and Antoine L. Smith as Black Dude.

The Toxic Avenger will feature Choreography by Kelly Devine, Music Direction by Doug Katsaros, Scenic Design by Beowulf Boritt, Costume Design by David C. Woolard, Lighting Design by Jason Lyons, Sound Design by Robert Kaplowitz, Mask Design & Prosthetics by Louis Zakarian, Fight Direction and Special Effectsby Waldo Warshaw/Fusion Special Effects and Hair and Makeup Design by Mark Adam Rampmeyer.

The Toxic Avenger, with books & lyrics by Joe DiPietro, music & lyrics by David Bryan, based on the film The Toxic Avenger by Lloyd Kaufman, and directed by John Rando, begins previews Friday, January 13, opens Friday, January 20 and runs through Sunday, February 12, 2012,on the Hubbard Stage.

Photo Credit: Jann Whaley