Evil Dead, The Musical
I have “It’s Time” floating around in my head. Unfortunately I am at the point in the show where I don’t know the lyrics to the ensemble numbers yet, so all I have is “it’s time for you, Ash, to die, It’s time for us, demons, to rise” over and over again. I don’t even know if those are the right words.
I guess I should start over again since this is the first entry on this subject. I auditioned for Evil Dead, the musical, and got cast as “Jake” which was really the only role I was truly interested in, although I would have accepted any part. The show is based on the Bruce Campbell movies of the same name and is a slashy bloody zombie musical comedy. Sounds like fun, right? And it will be and actually already is. I lie when I say this is the first post I wrote, but it’s the first public one. Once the show is done there may be a number of posts which suddenly become public, but for now, I will reserve some of that stuff for a private blog, for my eyes only. There has been some drama and I have pontificated and written and will continue to reflect on that.
This show is directed by David Mote, who gave me my first ever part in a show, When Pigs Fly, many years ago. I was cast as the lead in that show and there was also some drama there, as it was a gay musical review and everyone in the show was gay, but me, and we all played gay characters. I was very flamboyantly gay in the role, and that may have confused people about my 99% hetero orientation. (I refuse to believe that anyone doesn’t have some suppressed gayness about them, and when that percentage exceeds a certain amount then you are truly bi-sexual. Exceed another level and you are homosexual. It’s just my theory, but it’s supported almost everywhere.)
So, getting back to the Evil Dead, I am thrilled to be working with the near famous make-up artist Ben Ruth, who is also a fabulous artist.
We are also lucky enough to have the amazing Kat Brannon doing tech, and we’ve already started experimenting with the 350 gallons of stage blood which will be used over the run of the show in late October.
We had our first read through on Tuesday night (8/24/10) and it went pretty well considering that two cast members couldn’t be there. Such is the way with community theater and non-paying roles. We have a strong cast of singers and comedic actors (me representing both groups, [Thank you very much, I’ll be in the building all night] my modesty overwhelms me from elaborating more on my greatness. lol) Wow, did I just type lol? That’s odd.
Anyway if you are unfamiliar with the show it is littered with blood, profanity, dead bodies, zombies, blood, great rock and roll numbers, blood and special effects. And I do mean littered. The first few rows are a designated splatter zone, so if you are really into being belted by theatrical blood and being immersed (ha ha) (isn’t ha ha better than lol? I think so.) in the show, that’s the place to be.
What is going to make this show even more fun is that my youngest daughter, Stephanie (luv ya Sweet Pea) is also in the show. She got cast as Shelly, the drunken slut. I am hoping playing the role is a stretch for her. (just kidding, I know it is) And my lovely wife Deb (I love you Sugar Bee!) is stage managing.
I am also looking forward to getting to know Adam Gastonguay, member of the Mad Mechanicals, and husband of my improv mate Andi. He’s awesome – quite funny, dry humor, as Bugs would say “droll, very droll” He’s playing Evil Eddy, the bit part demon.
I’ll post more on this as I see fit. You better believe that I am reliable. Don’t question that.
