What Could Possibly Go Wrong? (Mind's Eye Theater Company)

Evil Dead, the musical Book and Lyrics by George Reinblatt Music by Frank Cipolla, Christopher Bond, Melissa Morris, George Reinblatt Additional lyrics by Christopher Bond Additional Music by Rob Daleman Based on characters created by Sam Raimi Directed by Kevin Butler A review by Kate Barry

Entire contents are copyright © 2024 Kate Barry. All rights reserved.

 In a red haze, an ominous voice cries out “Join us!” Five college kids travel to a cabin in the woods with only a bridge as their way back to civilization. Did I mention the demons in the woods? Minds Eye Theater Company has re-launched their fan favorite version of Evil Dead the Musical at the Art Sanctuary. And it delivers with all the trappings of the campy 1981 horror flick.

Special effects rule the day in this production. Leaning heavily into Sam Raimi’s cult classic vibe of cheesy action sequences and bloody murder sprees, this production does its due diligence with every stunt and gag. Director Kevin Butler and a cast made up of many returning actors from previous productions seemed to comfortable with each blood packet spewed onto the audience and every outlandish death scene. Moments of puppetry and noticeable hands holding onto branches were nice touches as well. Physical humor concerning decapitations and losing of hands provide for clever staging as actors swiftly shift in place of the possessed body parts as well.

As each character succumbs to the evil presence in the woods, the transformation to mask may look cheap or obvious but it deserves the laughs it receives, regardless if it’s the first of fifth time for the bit. With a script full of self aware references to the movie franchise as well as cheeky jokes making fun of the original film, the cast handles the parody with great comedic energy. As leader of the pack, Ash, James Thompson brings sure footing to the camp and is a worthy hero as he inevitably replaces his hand for a chainsaw. He is no match to his sister Cheryl once she is possessed by the demons, played with a youthful spunk by Ari Hart. Hart brings out a confident and delightfully gruesome demon after Cheryl’s attack by a questionably possessed forest. Constantly popping out of a cellar, Hart is hilarious as she makes fun of Thompson’s Ash. Their exchange mirrors that of annoying siblings playing tricks on each other and getting on each others nerves in the best possible way.

Ashley Drury’s Linda sings well with Thompson’s Ash. Their lovely duet is later ruined by demons and killings. Drury does well to execute the comedic bits of a bodiless head while the body is on the hunt for blood. Sean Turley’s Scott is a loud mouth bro who only wants sex and beer. While some of Scott’s lines deal with repeatedly calling other female character’s “stupid bitch,” Turley provides a well timed tongue in cheek performance complete with a scene chewing death scene. Lindsey Jones plays Shelley, Scott’s date whose comedic bits unfortunately are overshadowed by the plays bawdy humor. Luckily, Jones finds redemption as a demon and the moments right before.

Even though Ash loses his friends, help is on the way. Kelly Doyle’s Annie, Sloan Doyle’s Edd and Greg Collier’s Jake are an unlikely crew with answers and plot devices. As Annie, Doyle shares a very quick and convenient flirtation with Thompson’s Ash with some well played bits involving losing her shirt sleeves. Sloan Doyle makes the most of their nerd’s silent moments as they are constantly hushed by Annie. In a moment of tap dance in the spotlight give Doyle’s Edd some much deserved praise. Rounding out the cast is Greg Collier’s Jake. A METC mainstay, Collier has good timing as the fearsome yokel in overalls who has no problem with shedding a little blood on nearby audience members.

If you are a fan of Bruce Campbell or if you have never seen the movie, I highly recommend this show. It’s a fun romp with all the quotes (“This is my boom stick” and “Groovy”) and over the top death scenes you want to see in a play like this. And if you make the choice to sit in the splash zone, they have ponchos waiting for you.

Evil Dead the Musical Mind's Eye Theatre Company and Art Sanctuary September 6-21, 2024@730p Art Sanctuary 1433 S Shelby St Louisville, KY mindseyetheater.com