BWW Reviews: THE TOXIC AVENGER Spreads Hot Toxic Love at 54 Below

The Toxic Avenger, based on Lloyd Kaufman's character and film by the same name and winner of the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical, returned to New York City on Monday night for a special one-night-only concert reunion at 54 Below. Following a critically acclaimed run at The Alley Theatre in Houston, TX, the quirky musical about a New Jersey based radioactive mutant superhero may have its sights set on Broadway.

With a book by Joe DiPietro (Memphis, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change), lyrics by DiPietro and David Bryan (keyboardist for Bon Jovi), and music by Bryan, The Toxic Avenger has an easily marketable pedigree, dynamic music, and packs in some wonderful laughs with the lyrics. But does the show have enough wit and heart to sludge up Broadway enough to make a lasting impression?

Having only experienced the musical in the concert form, I couldn't help but feel that the show would be perfectly housed at New World Stages (which is where it made its NYC debut). Most of the lyrics, while funny, just didn't have the sharply-tuned and polished wit that makes other irreverent musicals come alive. The humor tickles the ribs at the sophomoric level, but they lack that intellectual punch that makes the jokes linger with you. Maybe this is an element present in the book that helps the songs, when in the context of the full production, be more impactful.

For the concert, the Houston cast was brought back together. Constantine Maroulis, Mara Davi, Nancy Opel, Mitch Jarvis, and Antoine L. Smith all reprised their roles with abundant charisma and charm, thoroughly keeping the audience entertained. The entire cast utilized the various rock vocal styles of the 80s with indefatigable energy. Stand out performances included Opel's sassy, soulful rock vocals on "Jersey Girl," Davi's cutesy pop-rock stylings on "My Big French Boyfriend," Maroulis' Freddie Mercury-esque approach to "Thank God She's Blind," Maroulis and Davi masterfully delivering a 80s style power ballad on "Hot Toxic Love," Jarvis' vivacious folksy country rock vocals on "The Legend," Smith's astounding backups on "Evil is Hot," Opel's Debby Harry-esque belting on "Bitch/Slut/Liar/Whore," and Davi's delightful alto belt on the zealously irreverent "Choose Me, Oprah!" (which was my favorite song of the evening).

As a surprise to the audience, David Bryan performed the impassioned power ballad "You Tore My Heart Out." Accompanying himself on the keys, his vocals gave the tune wonderful character. Afterwards, Joe DiPietro made a special appearance as well, announcing that rights for the musical would be released worldwide. Having been in world premiere production, the NYC debut, and the reworked Houston production, Opel joked that she is a part of the licensing package.

Whether The Toxic Avenger is able to spread its hot toxic love on Broadway is still to be seen. Taking in the concert, I feel that the show would ultimately be a welcome addition to Broadway's stable of unusual and offbeat shows. I imagine the book, lyrics, and score would undergo some work before a Broadway opening, which would give it that spruced up heart and witty spunk that I found missing from the concert. Musically, The Toxic Avenger has the mettle-or metal-to be a hit if the fates decide, and it finds an audience.

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