Broadway has been adapting movies into stage works for a while ("Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," "The Producers").
I am not a big fan of musicals, but I was pretty stoked to discover that Troma classic "The Toxic Avenger" was transformed into a stage production. In 2008, it started an off-Broadway run and later was produced in Toronto and Calgary. Right now, "The Toxic Avenger" is at Houston's Alley Theatre and possibly headed to Broadway in the near future.
I checked it out last night and am pleased to report that it is awesome!!
The plot centers around Melvin Ferd III (played by American Idol star Constantine Maroulis), an uber-nerd who discovers that the mayor of Tromaville, Babs Belgoody (Nancy Opel), has been taking kickbacks to allow her city to become a toxic dump. Desperate to silence Ferd, she sends her goons Bozo and Sluggo (Antoine Smith and Mitchell Jarvis) to get the job done. Ferd winds up dumped in a vat of toxic waste and emerges as a lumpy, hulking, stinky super hero. In addition to cleaning up the streets of Tromaville, Melvin...or Toxie...tries to win the heart of hot blind librarian Sarah (Mara Davi).
With only five actors in the cast Opel, Smith and Jarvis take on multiple roles...and do so expertly.
The score is pure rock schlock written by Joe DePietro and David Bryan (Bon Jovi keyboardist). It perfectly compliments the play's comic sensibilities.
I like Troma pics and LOVE the Toxic Avenger franchise (even the cartoon). So, I totally dug this musical. It's fast and super funny...not unlike the Troma films.
If you're in the Houston area, check this out before its run ends Feb. 10. And keep your fingers crossed this makes it to Broadway. Who knows? It may inspire a new Toxie movie.
Check out what critics are saying.
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