Evil Dead the Musical

Santa Cruz Mountains Theater Goers Anticipate Cult Production

By Julie Horner

Greg Roe is a scary movie fanatic, especially Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead. Framed posters, stage props, and other memorabilia are part of the decor at Greg’s Mount Hermon home. A fan since the 80s, he’s seen the stage production, Evil Dead the Musical, a few times in California. Considering the proximity to Park Hall in Ben Lomond, home base for Mountain Community Theater, he got an idea: wouldn’t it be fun to host the official rock musical — an established global cult sensation — in the Santa Cruz Mountains?

Evil Dead The Musical first debuted in August, 2003 in a dark corner of the Tranzac Club in Toronto, Ontario. The musical is based on the book and lyrics by George Reinblatt, which combines story lines and ridiculously copious bloodbath scenes from the Evil Dead movie franchise: The Evil Dead (1981), Evil Dead II (1987), and Army of Darkness (1992) plus Evil Dead (2013) and Evil Dead Rise (2023). Set to a musical score by Reinblatt and Frank Cipolla, Christopher Bond, and Melissa Morris, the stage play has since been produced 500 times worldwide, including shows in Tokyo, Seoul, Madrid, Perth and Auckland, and in cities in just about every state in the nation, selling out venues and leaving throngs of fans drenched in fake blood screaming for more.

Greg shopped the concept to Park Hall manager Surreyya Hada. Hoping to attract a fresh subscriber base to Mountain Community Theater, Surreyya thought it was a great idea, and she put Greg in contact with the MCT Board of Directors. At first there was some skepticism, but the planned fall production of The Music Man was not coalescing, Surreyya said, so Greg’s timing was perfect. Greg wrote the proposal, the Board accepted, and the production was subsequently licensed for MCT. Greg is Producer and Artistic Director.

Evil Dead the Musical, rated R, runs weekends September 20 through October 20 plus Halloween night, October 31st at Park Hall. Surreyya said, “I’m delighted that they’re going to be having Evil Dead the Musical at Park Hall!”

Like Rocky Horror but Bloodier

Much like the Rocky Horror Picture Show, fans of Evil Dead the Musical have memorized the actors’ lines and come to the performances dressed as the characters. The really killer part about Evil Dead the Musical, though, is that the first four rows are called “The Splatter Zone.” It’s part of the script and there’s even a sample recipe for fake blood. Greg said, “The whole point of this is just over-the-top blood spurting everywhere…in a very humorous way, very cartoony.” 

There are two different non-toxic fake blood formulations. The liquid that is sprayed on the audience is food-grade colored water. “What goes on the actor has to be a little more viscous so that it sticks,” Greg said. He and pal Mike DeSmidt are testing out formulations and projectile delivery methods in Greg’s garage. The agreement with Park Hall calls for plastic sheeting.

In the story, a group of college students travel to a spooky cabin in the woods and unwittingly unleash evil forces that can only be put to rest by protagonist Ashley Joanna “Ash” Williams (played by Marcus Boardman) and his trusty chainsaw. The cast also includes a possessed talking moose head trophy (played by Dave Halper). Directed by Davis Banta, co-produced by Miguel Reyna, the cast of 15 is made up of veteran MCT actors and several newcomers. Additional characters are played by Sarah K. Michael (Annie); Ana Bogren (Cheryl); John Wasielewski (Ed); Benji Canant (Jake); Sarah Mitchler (Linda); Corey Lenkner (Scott); and Lisa Darling  (Shelly). The ensemble cast includes Amauri Roe, Angel Camarena, Blue Hendricks, Fey Triona, Ian Dyer, and Star Hagen-Esquerra. A crew of 10 includes Greg’s wife Tara overseeing costuming, makeup, and hair, and there’s a full rock n’ roll band.

Filled with cheesy special effects, uproariously corny songs, and campy dialog, Evil Dead the Musical pokes fun at the horror genre in a wildly splashy way. Surreyya said, “I think it’s time we get some new blood (ha ha ha!) into the community. People need a fun, good time, an immersive experience. I think that they’re going to bring that, and I’m very excited to be a part of it and will help in any way I can.”

For mature audiences. Follow the action:
FB: @EvilDeadtheMusicalSantaCruz
X/Twitter: @EvilDeadSC
IG: @evildeadthemusical_santacruz
MCT: mctshows.org

Featured photo by Julie Horner: Cast of Evil Dead the Musical rehearse at St. Andrews Church in Ben Lomond

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