Emanating in radioactive waves of hilarity from its
home at New World Stages on W. 50th
Street in Manhattan
is The Toxic Avenger, The Musical,
the not-exactly-anticipated musicalization of the 1984 cult movie. The show
opened April 6th. New York-area “Toxie†fans of the 1984 film and its
numerous sequels will not want to miss this well-oiled, high-camp machine of a
show, written by Joe DiPietro (“I Love you, You’re Perfect, Now Changeâ€) with
music and lyrics by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan.
Expanding upon the plot of the film, the musical
casts it net a bit wider, summoning the operatic, mock-horror of Phantom of the Opera, combined with the
rock-opera structure of Phantom of The
Paradise (1974), all in the spirit of Revenge
of the Nerds.For non-inductees into the Cult of Toxie (of which
I am one), the story concerns a certain Melvin Ferd III, a Tromaville, New
Jersey nerd, who discovers documents in his local library (while he’s there
trying to flirt with his unrequited love, the blind librarian Sarah) linking
the town’s mayor to a company dumping toxic waste in a city landfill. When the
mayor learns of Melvin’s discovery, she sics her two bullying goons on him, causing
him to fall into a barrel of toxic goo. Emerging with superhero strength, one
eyeball sliding down his cheek, his brain half-exposed and his entire body
dripping with toxic green slime, “Toxie†is nonetheless ready to go after the
bad guys and wreak bloody revenge for his horrible disfigurement. He’s also
determined to win the heart of Sarah while he’s at it, since she thought his
former self a bit too weasly.
According to New Jersey-native composer and
lyricist David Bryan, the show is a fulfillment of a lifelong dream ever since
he saw the 1984 movie in a midnight movie theater in Newark. “From that day on,†according to his
notes on the musical’s website, “he dreamed of writing a musical about the
first mutant superhero from his home state.â€The musical was developed at the George Street
Playhouse in New Brunswick, and positively overflows
with New Jersey
references, given the Garden State-roots of both Bryan and the show’s book
author, Joe DiPietro, who hails from Exit 166. (Bryan grew up off Exit 109). In New Jersey,
if you didn’t know – and you’ll know by the end of this show – you don’t
discuss what town you’re from, it’s what EXIT you’re from!
To its detriment, the show never rises to a comedic
level above the cartoonish, comic book genre. Ecological disaster, global
warming, political corruption, small-town hypocrisy, even rape – all subjects
are given the same, frantically silly treatment. This is no doubt by design, in
keeping with the tone of the movie. However, as a result, it never really
elicits any range of emotion – just a broad, tickled smile from the start, to a
more tired smile at finish, as the facial muscles begin failing.
But I still urge Cinema Retro’s readers to go see
it, as the performances alone are worth the price of admission. There isn’t a
weak one in the bunch – all are top-form, scary-talented Broadway pros.
Two,
however, come in for special mention:Nancy Opel (Mayor and Ma Ferd) is a
Broadway alum from many shows, from Fiddler
on the Roof, Urinetown, Sunday in the Park with George, Anything Goes and Evita, and has the voice to justify it. It floors you. Not only
that, her dual-role portrayal of the Mayor and Melvin’s mother in a climactic
scene in Act III is the show’s comic high point, and had audience jaws
dropping. I won’t give it away, except to say that it is a study in timing by a
comic genius.
Matthew Saldivar (White Dude) also plays multiple
roles, chiefly a local thug who causes Melvin’s hideous accident. On Broadway
he recreated the role of Kenickie in the recent revival of Grease, and originated the role of Sammy in The Wedding Singer. With more of a rock voice (he is a vocalist
with the band The Petersons) than his fellow performers, combined with a gift
for physical comedy that doesn’t flag from start to finish, Matthew is the
ultimate in theatrical versatility, and could easily carry another show on his
own in the near future. Let’s hope someone writes a show for him.Â
The Toxic Avenger, The Musical is playing at
NuWorld Stages, 340 West 50th
Street in New
York City. For complete information on the show and
ticketing, go to: http://toxiefans.com