Review: EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL, Is Campy, Killer Fun at WestCoast Players Theatre

“The book served as a passage way to the evil worlds beyond. It was written long ago when the seas ran red with blood. It was this blood that was used to ink the book.”

- The Voice in Evil Dead the Musical

Somewhere in a world on a road less traveled, between the likes of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, American Psycho, Carrie, and the more recently conceptualized Beetlejuice lies the twisted campy world in which the characters of Evil Dead the Musical reside. First performed in 2003 in Toronto, this campy rock-filled musical made its transfer to Off-Broadway at New World Stages in 2006. In 2012 a production opened in Las Vegas as a 4-D Experience and complete with a 100 chair “Splatter Zone,”and as of 2017 making it the longest running theatrical experience on the strip. With Book, Lyrics, and Music by George Reinblatt, Evil Dead the Musical brought Sam Raimi’s characters to life in true blood-filled fashion.

The plot here is simple but complex in all its campy-goodness. Ashley “Ash” Williams, his girlfriend and three friends decide to break into a cabin during a Spring-Break getaway none will soon forget. Upon entering the “Cabin in the Woods” Ash and his friends soon discover lots of items of history and ancient lore amidst the cabin’s rustic decor. One of these being the “Book of the Dead,” whose inscription and writings when read aloud evoke an evil that succumbs all that encounter it. While trying to ward off the vengeful spirits Ash and his friends must decide to fight and stay alive until dawn or allow the evil to take hold of them one by one. Filled with songs of a campy-rock score such as “Cabin in the Woods”, “Houseware’s Employee,” “Look Who’s Evil Now,” and “All The Men in My Life Keep Getting Killed by Candarian Demons,” this musical is filled with as much 80’s-90’s camp its as if John Waters, Sam Raimi, and Stephen King had a blood-soaked necromancing love-fest that birthed a child as sick and twisted as the world in which the characters reside.

Leading the cast  is Steven Fox as Ash Williams. Complete with a blue-collar shirt, khakis, and work boots, Bruce Campbell better watch out for there is a new hero in town. Steven wears the hero card right on his sleeve, so much so, you think it is living in his blood stream.  Steven proves his powerful vocals are in top form here, and he could lead anyone into a battle against the darkness.  He carries the weight of the show and the Kandarian Demons on his shoulders, and does so with gusto. His connection with both Linda and Annie are fun to watch, and prove that even in campy-horror when you’re the hero there is always a damsel in distress.

As Ash’s girlfriend Linda, Kayley Jewel is wonderful. She’s the good-girl next door, and perfect as Ash’s love interest. Beautiful and sweet but will get what she wants no matter the cost. Kayley has impressive vocal moments, shining in such moments as “Housewares Employee,” and her performance makes heads roll, she is a joy to watch.

Scotty, Ash’s aloof  friend, is played by Matthew Morris. Somewhere in the grand scheme of things is Morris’ has the ability to deliver a cross between Jack Black and Alex Brightman, and is the comedic knockout of our tale. His duet “What the **** Was That,” is the perfect bro-camaraderie with Ash, and shows the power of true friendship. The “piece de resistance” here is the amazing addition of the Thriller jacket, adding to the camp and the already “Bad-ass” nature of his performance.   His performance is so perfect and cringe-worthy you never want it to stop. One thing I wish he had leaned more into was the “What a Stupid B***h” line. That moment is so funny if it lands, and there was a quickness in its delivery it didn’t seem to land as well as it could have.

Bianca Rotondo’s Shelly plays dumb so well and is the perfect addition to the company. She’s the girl in every scary movie that you know will be the first to die, and the campiness here is on-par with Gregg Araki films of the early 2000s. A highlight from her performance is the first time she succumbs to the evil-nature of the demons, “Look Who’s Evil Now.” Her vocals are wonderful here, she plays Shelly perfect, down to the tattoos, shes everyone’s favorite baddie and we are here for it.

As Cheryl, Ash’s younger sister Jessica Ulbrich is a show-stopper. Spending most of the show in a trap door is no small feat, and every time she appears, Cheryl adds another layer to an already insane storyline. Jessica has strong comedic timing and delivers the one-liners with such Zing, your head will nearly spin. She is quick on her feet, and the back and forth she has with Ash and the rest of the company are hilarious in all of their delivery.  I love the delivery of the Spiderman line, and I may have missed the Who’s the Boss reference, but Jessica proves to be a comedic geinus of Demonic proportions. Her vocals shine in moments of, “It Won’t Let Us Leave,” and “Look Who’s Evil Now.” “Join Us,” is one of my favorite moments of her performance, and Jessica should be lauded for her stellar work here.

Paige Crockett as Annie is a stellar knockout. Coming is as the daughter of the parent’s who own the cabin, who happens to know all about the “Book of the Dead” is a great juxtaposition to those already introduced to the story. Her show-stopping number, “All the Men in My Life Keep Getting Killed by Kandarian Demons,” is outstanding. From poise to choreography, Paige’s performance is one to watch. Paige proves to be the perfect Damsel in Distress, but there is strength to her as well. Her comedic timing is spot-on, and the moments where her dress rips off are perfectly delivered. Paige is incredibly strong both vocally and in stage presence making her performance one of the highlights of the night.

Aidan Anderson as Ed is the perfect nerdy boyfriend. His moment of being inhabited by evil to awkwardly, almost soft-shoeing in, “Bit Part Demon,” Aiden is hilarious here, and does wonderful work. Imagine if you will an Episode of Schitts’ Creek where everyone is inhabited by evil spirits. He’s the Johnny Rose of our story.

Jake played by Dave Russell is the loveable back-woods countryman who wants to see the good in everything if others see it in him. His shining moment is the solo, “Old Reliable Jake.” He steals the stage with all of his antics, and his one-liners will make you laugh until it hurts. Dave throws caution to the wind, and lets it all out, his I don’t give a **** delivery is outstanding to watch. The aforementioned Schitts’ Creek reference he is the Roland of our tale, and he is spot-on in every moment.

The cast is rounded out by a Chorus of Players making up several roles, all played by one man, Mr. Brian Yarborough as (Knowby, Moose, Fake Shemo, et al), and adds yet another layer to the complex and campy adventures displayed before us. Brian is always top-notch anytime he is onstage and here is no exception.

Packed full of Talent both on-stage and off Evil Dead the Musical is a Techincally- Sound enigma that needs to be seen. Directors David Day and Steven Fox have pulled out every stop here. You get the essence of a “Cabin in the Woods,” but its flat facade comes across not rustic, but rather underwhelming. The music is canned which is unfortunate with such a fun, and rollicking score, but spacing is crucial. For me the Mt. Vesuvius of “blood-splatter” didnt come across nearly as shocking, but actually almost comical.

The Lighting design by Dominic Bisesti works very well here and lends to the spooky moments of the show, compacted with the neons of the 80’s. This is perfect camp. Costumes and props by Steven Fox, lend themselves well to the narrative of the story, and allows each character to have a unique identity in the story.

The cast carries the vocals of the show very well, under the direction of Nathan Daugherty who gets the most out of each of the performers. Arbie Ignacio’s Choreography is a highlight, especially during standout moments like, “Do the Necronomicon.”

Director David Day moves the pace of the story with a steadfast and steady hand. My only quip and albeit a minor-one is that even in the nature of the show, the comedy feels forced. Like a joke was told, and suddenly you would expect an anonymous cue card to be held up telling everyone to laugh. From my side of things the comedy felt like it was trying to be natural but didnt quite make the mark.

Evil Dead the Musical, is the perfect Halloween-themed spectacle with the perfect amount of camp and a safe amount of blood,  we would come to expect from its namesake. Only on-stage through November 3, 2024. So what are you waiting for? “Join Us,” for this unique and blood chilling labor of love, that will have you laughing like a “stupid b***h!”

PHOTO CREDIT: DAVID DAY

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