“Evil Dead: The Musical” washes across Spotlight stage
A group of randy young adults head out to an isolated cabin in the forest and uncover the fabled Necronomicon, the Book of the Dead. Playing an audio recording by an investigating professor, the incantations unleash a host of demons into the physical realm. It’s up to enterprising S-Mart employee Ash (Rick Cheshire, who bears an uncanny physical resemblance to actor Bruce Campbell) to quash his demon possessed friends and stave off the invasion of unworldly forces, with a few song and dance numbers thrown in amidst all the severed body parts.
Local actors transform into the walking undead – and audience members risk transforming into Sissy Spacek from Carrie in the new gore interactive revue “Evil Dead: The Musical” at Bakersfield’s Spotlight Theater. Based on Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead film series, the Spotlight Theater is proud to host the West Coast premiere of the cult favorite musical after an extended off-Broadway run. Even with their heavy gore content, the Evil Dead films actually lend themselves well to musical comedy. After all, the remake of the original film, Evil Dead II: Dead By Dawn (1982) took the slapstick comedy route.
The local cast attacks their parts with the unbridled gusto of flesh-eating zombies, with two local actors standing out in particular. Jennifer Sorkin, best known for heading the Rocky Horror Picture Show shadow cast the Velvet Darkness really shines as Cheryl, the luckless sister of Ash transformed into a soul-sucking zombie. Confined mostly to the basement, Sorkin rattles off atrocious puns and snide one-liners with great aplomb. Jack Slider also shines as Jake, a no-nonsense good ol’ boy who won’t let any undead minions come between him and his overalls. Slider also had a hand in the show’s many dance numbers.
That being said, theater goers need to be warned about two things in advance. While the stage musical adheres closely to the original films, an awful lot of risqué humor has been tossed into the devilish brew in the process. Parents who want to take their kids to see a goofy stage show with monsters should be forewarned that there’s an awful lot of blue humor. If you don’t have a problem with your child seeing decapitations, eviscerations and blood showering the stage in geysers, but would feel uncomfortable with them seeing gags involving various sexual positions, keep them at home.
Secondly, audience members should be aware that they have the option of “splat” and “non-splat” seating. The first three rows of the Spotlight Theater are covered with plastic, and those seeking the “splat” seats are advised to buy a rainproof poncho on sale in the lobby. Blood showers the audience during the play’s many murder sequences, ranging from light drizzles to buckets of blood. This sticky, light orange concoction is the work of theater tech Edd French, and at one point in the second act, this writer was doused with a tidal wave of blood. Soaked to the skin, I retreated to the back rows to watch the conclusion. In retrospect, I had no one to blame but myself as I had requested a “splat” seat.
Directed by Jarred Clowes, “Evil Dead: The Musical” is a sure bet for a hilarious and sanguine evening of local theater. It runs on weekends at the Spotlight Theater up until Halloween night, October 31st.