Review: Visiting Jersey with THE TOXIC AVENGER

Fridays are normally my bad movie night. I traded bad movie night in for bad musical night. (Not that THE TOXIC AVENGER was executed poorly.) I found it thoroughly enjoyable and well cast. This show doesn't take itself seriously and that made this bad movie into a bad musical totally work. I can see why THE TOXIC AVENGER has a cultish following. The plot plus rock music by Bon Jovi's David Bryan makes for a night of laughs and good music.

THE TOXIC AVENGER takes place in a town just off the New Jersey Turnpike. Though Jersey is "The Garden State," it is known more for its odorous smell. This show spoofs that idea and follows the denizens of Tromaville, whose city is next to a toxic waste dump. Melvin, a young scientist vows to clean up the city, but finds himself a product of the sludge.

Melvin, played by Adam McCabe, is so believably nerdy, then in the next moment turns into a super hunky man in green suit. I appreciate the character development from pre-toxic Melvin to superhero Toxie, to angry Toxic Melvin. McCabe has a great voice, both speaking and singing. His superhero voice reminded me a lot of Christian Bale's Batman.

Opposite Melvin is the blind librarian Sarah, played by Jillian Gizzi. I've seen Gizzi in a number of other productions and this is just another one of her standout performances. Sarah has the best song and dance numbers including: "My Big French Boyfriend" and "Choose Me, Oprah." The chemistry between McCabe and Gizzi is awkward because it is meant to be. How can a blind librarian be attracted to someone's face? It just makes for good comedy.

Shout out to Leesa Castaneda who plays Mayor Belgoody and Ma Ferd. With May Belgoody as the archnemesis of Toxie and Ma Ferd as Melvin's mother, it is almost inevitable that the two would meet. To my absolute delight, they do meet in "Bitch/ Slut/ Liar/ Whore" and it is exhaustingly wonderful to watch.

Adam Delmedico and Daniel Martinez deserve medals for their marathon performances. Listed in the Playbill as White Dude and Ethnic Dude, the duo steal the show. At times DelMedico and Martinez play every ensemble character male and female. It's hysterical to watch the duo play Sarah's best friends, then in the next moment turn into Jersey thugs. Neither DelMedico or Martinez dropped a beat as they ran through the range of characters (sometimes in heels). I found myself especially laughing hard at the folk song "The Legend of the Toxic Avenger" performed by DelMedico.

Props to Greater Orlando Actors Theatre for choosing to go with a live band. It was a shame that the sound quality from the speakers made it difficult to hear the actors. I enjoyed the music, I will definitely be checking it out on Spotify, but I would have loved to hear these talented performers clearly. There were a number of times when the singing was inaudible.

I found my cheeks hurt at the end because I was smiling for two hours straight. Directed by Jay Levy and presented by Greater Orlando Actors Theatre, THE TOXIC AVENGER, the musical ended its run January 22nd. For more information about Greater Orlando Actors Theater visit http://goatgroup.org.

Photo credit: Greater Orlando Actors Theatre

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