Having grown up watching horror movies, Elaine Bard, artistic director of the Orono-based Some Theater Company, has always had a special place in her heart for Sam Raimi’s “Evil Dead” movies, including the original, “Evil Dead 2” and “Army of Darkness.” When she found out there was a musical based on “Evil Dead,” however, she knew she had to somehow stage the show herself.
“I just couldn’t believe there was a musical based on [these movies],” said Bard, who with her family has performed in many shows with Ten Bucks Theatre Company and Orono Community Theatre. “I love how the musical manages to encapsulate all three movies perfectly into one show stopping package, retaining that tongue in cheek humor that the movies had. It’s campy and scary all rolled into one.”
Some Theatre Company will present “Evil Dead: The Musical” for three nights at the Keith Anderson Community Center in Orono, with shows at 7 p.m. Nov. 5, 6 and 7 and 10 a.m. Nov. 6 and 7. Tickets are $15 at the door, or $25 for the “splatter zone” — this is one musical that’s just as much about the song and dance as it is the blood, gore, low-budget special effects and audience participation. Splatter zone ticket holders will definitely get messy, and the show is geared towards ages 12 and up.
“It’s the ultimate 4D experience… It’s much more than a musical,” said Bard. “It’s an immersive experience with broad appeal.”
For those who haven’t seen the movie, the story goes as follows: young college student Ash and friends take a weekend getaway at abandoned cabin, unleash ancient evil spirits, friends turn into Candarian Demons, Ash fights until dawn to survive. Ash is played by Logan Bard, with his friends rounded out by castmates Paul Allen as Scott, Nichole Sparlin as Linda, Erryn Bard as Cheryl and Brie DeSoro as Shelly.
The musical, first staged in 2003 in Toronto, Canada, takes the movie storyline and adds in song and dance, and audience participation in the vein of “The Rocky Horror Show” — not quite as violent as the movie, of course, and with even more comedy. Many of the scenes and even specific lines from the movie are in the musical, with Ash, the iconic, chainsaw and shotgun-wielding protagonist immortalized by actor Bruce Campbell, taking center stage.
Some Theatre Company started in 2011, as a way for Bard to offer theater programming to people of all ages and backgrounds — especially for families to perform together as a group.
“There are not enough opportunities for families to perform together, and that is where our focus will go: doing shows where all ages can participate together,” said Bard. “We also want to have a focus on working with adults and children with disabilities and provide a safe environment for them to take the stage and experience all the joy that performing has to offer.”
Next up for Some Theatre Company, the group will begin in 2016 to perform regularly at the Unity College Center for the Performing Arts. Initial plans for the season include more all-ages shows, Shakespeare in Unity College’s gardens in the summertime and camps and classes. For more information, visit www.sometheatrecompany.com.
