Theater reviewer Mike Logothetis grew up in North Wilmington, performing in school and local theater productions. He lives in Newark, but you can find him wherever the arts are good.
Evil Dead, The Musical is a fun, raunchy production that delivers a final “Ash-kicking” to those audiences (and Kandarian Demons) who dare venture into the Bootless Stageworks chambers for the last time. Sadly, the (literally) underground theater in Trolley Square will be closing its doors after the final curtain of this campy musical based on the 1980s “Evil Dead” film franchise.
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| The cast of Evil Dead, The Musical, killing it one last time. Photo courtesy BootlessStageworks. |
The show provides plenty of laughs plus gallons of fake blood. The plot involves five college students spending a rustic weekend in the woods and accidentally unleashing an ancient terror. While trapped in a cabin fighting for their lives, the kids bicker amongst themselves and
try to defeat the evil that lurks around them. The musical takes creative liberty with the arching plot line of the original movies – the first act being an adaptation of The Evil Dead while the second act is a riff on Evil Dead II. The finale even has a nod to the third film in the canon: Army of Darkness.
Snarky hero Ash (John Jerbasi) leads the charge with his vicious one-liners and no tolerance for the demonic attackers. His human posse consists of his girlfriend Linda (Mariza Esparanza), his best friend Scott (Aaron Wachs), Scott’s new bimbo girlfriend Shelly (Jen Rotsch), and Ash’s sister Cheryl (Lauren Knecht). You sense the excitement of the group during their road trip to the “Cabin the Woods” for a long week of partying.
The problem is that the cabin is possessed. A missing professor has left mysterious recordings documenting his research of the Necronomicon Ex Mortis – literally “Book of the Dead.” This was his cabin and when the kids recite from the found book, they release an evil that absorbs items all around them like trees and even the stuffed moose head (Will Rotsch) hanging on the wall. Cheryl is the first to be terrorized and infected by the evil. She is thrown into the basement where she continuously hurls wisecracks from a heating vent. Cheryl and Shelly’s post-transformation duet “Look Who’s Evil Now” was a show highlight.
Director DellAversano is also the choreographer and does a masterful job with the dance numbers and critical movements. The hysterical figure skating lifts during “Housewares Employees” plus the tango-esque Ash and Scott dance for “What the Fuck Was That?” had the audience howling. The big demonic ensemble number “Do the Necronomicon” was also innovative and energetic.
The story adds more characters as the professor’s daughter Annie (Samantha McNerney) and her stifle manservant Ed (Antoine Deivert) arrive on the scene with more pages from the Necronomicon. But realizing the bridge to the cabin is out, they request the help of local hick Jake (Jose Bernard) to guide them. Bernard steals every scene he’s in and nails his song “Good Old Reliable Jake.” Deivert’s physicality during and after his solo “Bit Part Demon” was an extended joke that delivered each time.
The cast is rounded out by Wes Belli, Shawn D. Kline, Meg Hazzard, Andrew Dean Laino, Tara Herwig, Shamma Casson, Aubrey Murphy, and Benji Deivert. Note: They are not all “bit part demons.”
As more and more people morph into evil beings after contact, Ash must push forward and kill all who threaten him. He even severs his own infected hand…which doesn’t quite die. When he decapitates his girlfriend Linda, her talking head remains and delivers some classic jokes. Sure, there is plenty of gore, but there’s nothing to truly be squeamish about. It’s all in good fun.
Full disclosure for those in the “Splatter Zone”: This is a messy show with fake blood splattering all around. Bootless Stageworks is not responsible for damage to clothing or any other personal items. It is strongly recommended that you don’t bring purses, bags, or anything else that can’t get wet, dirty, or needs to be left on the floor. Ziplock bags are suggested for cell phones. Bring your own poncho or other covering as Bootless does not offer or sell such items. If you are sitting in the comfortable tiered seats, there’s no need to worry about protecting yourself or your personal items.
My lone knock on the show is the low audio level for some of the dialog. The theater space ate up several of the asides and subversive quips that make the script so endearing.
Live musical accompaniment is provided by The Zombie Lovin’ Band – Joe Eigenbrot, Jim Fazzino, Zack Geffre, and Deb Bialecki – under the direction of James W. Fuerst. The remaining performance schedule of Evil Dead, The Musical is Friday June 27 and Saturday June 28 at 8:00pm. Online tickets start at $25 and patrons can opt to sit in the “Splatter Zone” ($30) or not. Note, the theater boasts its “BEST EVER!!!” blood delivery system to guarantee “the MOST SPLATTER” for those opting to sit up front. Tickets can be purchased via website (www.bootless.org) or by calling Bootless Stageworks at (302)887-9300. Tickets are also available at the door, subject to availability, at a lightly higher price. The running time is roughly 2 hours including one 15-minute intermission. Bootless Stageworks offers a full selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks plus some snacks at its concessions stand. The theater space is in the basement of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church at 1301 N. Broom Street in Wilmington.
Fare thee well, Bootless family. You provided a wonderful arts service for the region. We will miss your stimulating productions and friendly faces!