The Toxic Avenger Musical
The Toxic Avenger Musical
Created by David Bryan and Joe DiPietro
Directed by Jay Levy
Musical Direction by Theresa Smith-Levin
Choreography by Shawn Michael Lowe
Stage Manager: Sean Duncan
Starring Adam McCabe, Jillian Gizzi and Leesa Castaneda
Greater Orlando Actors Theatre
Presented at Orlando Shakespeare Theatre
Orlando, Fl</strong>
Look! Up in the sky! It’s a movie! It’s a comic book! It’s a musical! Or is that just the toxic cloud that hangs permanently over New Jersey, stinking up the west side of Manhattan? No, it’s one of America’s lesser known super heroes, Melvin Ferd the Third (McCabe). Or as we like to call him, “The Toxic Avenger.” Toxie came from the fertile and fetid mind of Lloyd Kaufman, impresario of Troma Films. This was back in the “Direct to VHS” days, and quirky little comedies like this were everywhere. But Toxie has stood the test of digital time, and tonight we see why.
Melvin is picked on and tortured by Bozo and Slug (Adam Delmedico and Daniel Martinez). They eventually toss him in a vat of toxic waste that evil mayor Babs Belgoody (Castaneda) agrees to store in exchange for the big bucks. Melvin climbs out of the tank dripping eyeballs and smelly special effects and his only romantic hope is cute but blind Sarah (Gizzi). Toxie fights environmental disaster, Castaneda doubles as his Italian / Jewish over-the-top mom, and the dynamic duo of DelMedico and Martinez quick change into everything from rock starts to cops to the least convincing drag queen I’ve ever seen.
Behind the action is a 5 piece band lead by Smith-Levine. It’s the only overall weak spot here; the sound is rock concert loud and the cast mikes are turned up to compensate, leading to a blasting, ear splitting evening in this rather small theater. There are some cool songs; “Hot Toxic Love” rocks as does DelMedico on guitar for “The Legend of Toxic Avenger” and the ballad “I Promise” ties the story together. For all the campy costumes and fast changes, deep down this is a traditional love story and a traditional musical. It just aims for camp and sets the volume at 11. A toned down backing band would give these excellent entertainers a better chance to show off their voices along with the music and the gags that permeated this campy classic.
For more information on Greater Orlando Actor’s Theatre, please visit http://goatgroup.org//
