Stage Right Productions, the nonprofit that runs 2nd Street Theater and recently produced Avenue Q at the Tower Theatre, has teamed up with Lonely Fish Productions, (The Rocky Horror Picture Show at 2nd Street Theater) to bring back the smash hit, Evil Dead the Musical October 16-31.
Now on its fifth season at 2nd Street, Evil Dead the Musical is a takeoff on the original Evil Dead B movie trilogy from the 1980s.When five college students go off to an old abandoned cabin in the woods and unleash an evil force, hilarity ensues as our hero, Ash has to defeat the evil forces armed with a chainsaw and a shotgun. The show’s campy, clever dialog, catchy tunes and over the top characters have gained popularity among live theatre goers and non theatre goers alike.
The highlight of the 2009 production was a surprise visit from B movie icon and star of The Evil Dead and Army of Darkness series and Burn Notice, Bruce Campbell.
“It’s like The Rocky Horror for zombie flick fans,” says Managing Director Sandy Klein, “People shout out lines from the movies, dress up and stand in line for autographs from our hero at the end of the show.”
On average, Evil Dead the Musical goes through about 65 gallons of fake blood per production. While much of the spray will be directed at the front row Splatter Zone, 2nd Street is small and there is no guarantee the rest of the audience won’t get doused.
This year’s production features some of Central Oregon’s top talent including Ryan Klontz (Beauty and the Beast, Les Miserables) as Ash, Tommy Kuchulis (Spamalot, Avenue Q) as Evil Ed and new to the 2nd Street stage is Stephanie Slade as Cheryl, who can be seen playing with various bands around Bend including MOsley WOtta and LAMP.
Rick Buckley with his local band, FunBobby heads up the live music for the production.
Evil Dead The Musical (written by George Reinblatt, Christopher Bond, Frank Cipolla and Michelle Morris and co directed by Scott Schultz and Sandy Klein) opens Friday October 16 through Saturday October 31 for eleven performances including a special midnight Halloween performance.
Show times are at 7:30pm with two Sunday matinees at 3pm. Cost is $22 for adults, $19 for students and seniors and all front row Splatter Zone seats are $28.Parental discretion is advised.
Tickets: www.2ndstreettheater.com
Sandy Klein, 541-312-9626 2ndstreettheater@gmail.com