LOGAN – If you need a belly laugh or two – and who doesn’t with a nasty presidential election right around the corner – check out The Toxic Avenger, a production by the Utah State University Opera Theatre that debuted on Oct. 28 at the Caine Lyric Theatre.
In a word, it’s hilarious.
Which is not to say that The Toxic Avenger, under the direction of USU professor Dallas Aksoy, isn’t a macabre little show. It’s over-the-top gleefully gruesome and more subversive fun than you’ve had in a theater in a long time.
If you’re seriously woke and/or inclined toward political correctness, you probably want to give this musical a pass. For people who still have a sense of humor, however, The Toxic Avenger is laugh-out-loud funny.
This stage adaptation is based on the 1984 cult “splatter” film of the same name, which was originally created by Lloyd Kaufman. First presented in 2008, the musical comedy boasts a score by David Bryan and a witty, clever script by Joe DiPietro that doesn’t take itself seriously at all as it lampoons superheroes, pollution, disabilities and politics.
The cast is led by Sam Teuscher as Melvin Ferd the Third, a nerd who is transformed into the Toxic Avenger by an industrial accident. Once you’ve seen Teuscher under a muscle suit as Toxie, you won’t be able to imagine another actor in that role.
Teuscher has a brilliant sense of comic timing that makes Toxie absurdly sincere and a voice that ranges effortlessly from falsetto to second tenor.
He shares the stage with Kae Ra Davis as Toxie’s heartthrob, a blind librarian. Ms. Davis absolutely shines in that role, especially when she gets the chance to throw back her shoulders and really belt out the show’s rock music tunes.
She’s particularly excellent in the duet with Teuscher called “Hot Toxic Love” and the production number “All Men are Freaks,” with backup singers Taylee Klein and Lily Takemoto.
Another stand-out is Emma Dunster, who is duel cast as the unscrupulous Mayor Babs Belgoody and as Melvin’s mother. Ms. Dunster practically steals the show while singing the song “Bitch/Slut/Liar/Whore” when she has to play both parts simultaneously. You gotta see it to believe it.
Ethan Shaw is also on hand to play Professor Ken – a real weirdo — and sing the duet “Evil is Hot” with the Mayor.
Other student performers from the USU voice program include Jadynn Hardy, Jaron Henderson, Nicole Potter, Rachel Amanda Gale, Hunter Price, Emma Colburn, Maren Jacobsen, Jonah Angell and Addison Hopkins.
The rock score of The Toxic Avenger was performed by an ensemble neatly tucked in one corner of the stage, with Bryson Anderson playing alto and tenor saxophone as well as the flute; Leonardo Sanjinez on guitars; Elise Farmer on electic bass; Ben Gittins on drums; and Aksoy on keyboards.
USU professor Dennis Hassan was responsible for elaborately wacky costume designs and a particularly icky-looking set that is guaranteed to give you the creeps.
As I mentioned previously, The Toxic Avenger is not for everyone. The Opera Theatre issued a content advisory warning that the musical is not suitable for children under the age of 15 due to adult language, sexual innuendo, blood, gore, mature themes and general political incorrectness. And they weren’t kidding.
The USU Opera Theatre production of The Toxic Avenger will continue through Thursday, Oct. 31 with performances at 7:30 p.m. in the Caine Lyric Theatre in downtown Logan.