Review: STAGEright's TOXIC AVENGER – Fun but as Solid as Toxic Waste

There's nothing wrong with a bit of mindless fun at the theater. Some of my happiest memories are sitting in a darkened theater laughing hysterically at Mormons or man eating plants or oversexed puppets. But while the fun in those instances may be base and mindless they were all still backed up by a well crafted and well put together show and that's where "The Toxic Avenger Musical", currently being offered from STAGEright, falls flat. Sure, it's goofy, in your face, over the top fun but appealing to our love of things a little bit gross and repeatedly calling someone a slut cannot replace good writing and pacing.

Based on the 1984 cult classic movie, the show follows our nebbishy hero Melvin Ferd The Third (Brian Lange) who just wants to do something good with his life and win the heart of the blind librarian Sarah (Jessi Little). But when Melvin discovers that it's the Mayor (Ann Cornelius) who's been allowing all of Manhattan's toxic waste to be dumped in their New Jersey town of Tromaville, he decides he can't keep quiet. A decision which prompts the mayor to send her two thugs (Sara Henley-Hicks and Nick Michael Watson) to shut him up. But the pair of bullies takes care of him by throwing into the toxic waste which transforms Melvin into The Toxic Avenger, a super powered, muscle-bound, green and somewhat melty superhero.

The biggest problem with the show is that it's just not very well written. Writers Joe DiPietro and David Bryan seriously should know better especially considering they're responsible for the Tony winning "Memphis" but the songs here just do not move anything along and really only serve to take one cliché joke after another and drive it into the ground. Yes, the audience and I May Laugh at the top of a number but then those laughs degrade into a waning series of chuckles as the bit is told over and over again. Add into that an uneven pace from director Sophia Federighi including some deadly moments where there's absolutely nothing happening on stage while we wait for a costume or set change and what we have is a show we want to like but just delivers a few laughs as it drones on.

The cast is quite talented and does manage to shine in their respective moments. Lange manages a lovable sweetness and inner conflict making us root for this decaying hero. Little turns in some wonderful comedic moments making her sweet librarian not always so sweet. Cornelius pulls delicious double duty as the sexpot Mayor as well as Melvin's nagging mother. And Henley-Hicks and Watson bring in the lion's share of laughs as they play the rest of the town. And each and every one has a rich and robust voice.

So while the talent was there, the script and direction wasn't always making this a somewhat enjoyable evening but ultimately just so so. And so with my three letter rating system I give STAGEright's "The Toxic Avenger Musical" a slightly bemused MEH+. Gross and over the top and coarse language can work for a show as long as the show doesn't hide behind it.

"The Toxic Avenger" from STAGEright performs at the Ballard Underground through October 1st. For tickets or information visit them online at www.seattlestageright.org.

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