Got to sing, got to dance, got to cut a Candarian demon in half. Yes horror fans the day is here. The smash-hit horror musical that has been delighting fans across the border for the past four years has finally come stateside to begin its' unlimited run as an off-Broadway powder keg ready to explode. Is New York City, with it prim and proper theater crowd, ready for the blood, guts and gore of Evil Dead The Musical. Time will tell, but in a recent conversation with co-director and co-creator Christopher Bond, he acknowledged the buzz was good and he believes the town was primed for an off-Broadway hit.
While gleefully speaking about his baby with the House of Horrors, Mr. Bond explains why the Evil Dead trilogy was the perfect vehicle to be transformed into what he calls a "rocking bloody musical experience" that encompasses all three Evil Dead films. “You have this great setting in the cabin where all the action takes place. The cabin itself is the biggest character in the show. You have these great stereotypical horror characters which is a lot of fun. There is the iconic hero Ash who is just throwing out these witty heroic lines. He is the ultimate protagonist and I saw him as a hero and what does a hero need more than a song? There are hordes of zombies assaulting the cabin and what would be more fun that when they were attacking, they are singing too."
Evil Dead is a gruesome experience in terror which is a very effects driven piece. How can they live up to the high expectations of the fan? In steps Louis Zakarian, who has worked on SNL and Conan, and was brought aboard to do the effects. "The great mask and blood work we are doing, along with all the blood flying around the audience will blow the fans away." For fans really interested in seeing blood and maybe having some splashed in their eyes, a special "Splatter Zone" has been designated in the first two rows of the theater. Better leave that Arami at home.
Evil Dead, other than being a gruesome experience in terror, relied heavily on delivering atmosphere and nothing was more important than it’s setting, an abandoned cabin in the woods. Mr. Bond tells us that he was so excited when Tony award-winning set designer David Gallo joined the creative team proclaiming him an “Evil Dead junkie”. "He really got it from day one and knew exactly what we were looking for and all the icons that were in the cabin that are from the movies. Every little thing you would want to see in the cabin is there and the best part is that it all comes to life right before your eyes."
He went on to say that Bruce Campbell played a pivotal part in help securing the rights for the show. “So we contacted Bruce through his webpage and explained what we were doing. Bruce was actually quite helpful in pointing us in the right direction. Now with our move to off-Broadway, we have worked with Sam’s people and they have been very helpful”. It’s good to see that Bruce knows that the fans can’t get enough Evil Dead.
So after four tiresome and tedious years, the production has finally found it’s way to the Mecca of theatrical nirvana and it hasn’t been an easy journey. Numerous re-writes, along with the recent addition of the AOD ending, has been brought to the production, and with the help and experience of producer William Franzblau, their wildest dream can finally come be realized. They've hit the big time and Mr. Bond makes the following promise to the fans. “They can expect one thing for sure, that we are going to give them the films. We taken great care in staying true to the films and when you have such passionate fans as Evil Dead does, you can deviate for one second, but they have to understand that we are taking it to the next level by musicalizing everything and it is very campy. This is every Evil Dead fans’ wildest dream come to life.”
Finally, he concluded our interview by saying, “I would be disappointed in any Evil Dead fan if he/her didn’t come and check us out and I know if they do, they are going to love it and come back another 4 or 5 times. It is going to be the most amazing musical any horror fan has ever seen.”
I echo that by saying if you don’t see this show, I will personally swallow your SOUL!!!
Previews to the public begin on Monday October 2nd at the New World Stage at 340 West 50th Street between 8th and 9th avenue in Manhattan. The official opening for the show begins on Wednesday, November 1st and is set for an unlimited run.
Read our complete exclusive interview with co-creator and co-director, Christopher Bond.
Enter our latest contest to win a pair of tickets to see the show.
Visit the official site EvilDeadTheMusical.com
