Geekscape Reviews: Re-Animator The Musical

Southern California isn’t really known for their stage acting as much as New York is, even though Hollywood is Mecca to all actors. What Los Angeles lacks in the large Broadway shows it more than makes if for it in small, intimate performances of something truly, wonderfully, f’ing weird. This is what you will experience with Re-Animator: The Musical. When I got the invitation to see this spectacle of the bizarre, I already had plans, but when I heard what it was I knew I had to slash and burn those plans and if need be go on a killing spree to see this performance. And It would have been completely worth it.

If you are unaware of the movie Re-Animator starring the tragically underrated Jeffery Combs, you need to turn in your geek badge. It is a wildly entertaining and self aware horror movie classic that not only brings home the laughs, but also had moments that will shock you until your eyes bulge out. It also delivers on a unique take on the zombie movie genre as well.

The director of the movie, Stuart Gordon, returns to remake his own film for the stage, which itself was already an adaptation of an H. P Lovecraft novel, Herbert West Reanimator. In this age of Hollywood remakes this one is an actual welcomed one. Re-imaging the property as a comedy musical breathes new life into the property that not only differentiates it from the original, it also honors it. Mark Nutter’s music, though not as memorable as, say the Joss Whedon musicals (Then again, who’s is?) is full of well timed joke that sent me bellowing loudly with laughter all night. You could actually feel the joy and commitment radiating off the actors as they step into some very large shoes. Graham Skipper fills the title role of Herbert West, the Re-Animator himself whose role originated with Jeffery Combs. Also, if you ever wondered what happened to Norm (George Wendt), from Cheers (I know half of you reading this don’t even remember Cheers. This makes me feel old and in turn forces me hate you.) well, he’s in Re-Animator: The Musical too, and he’s extremely funny.

Finally if you are in LA and plan to see this, do yourself a favor and show up early. The show has been selling out every performance and just like a show with Gallagher, Gallagher Too, or a live porno show you want to be in on of the splatter seats. If it wasn’t enough to have a zombie musical, the Re-Animator will glaze your face with blood. So dress in your finery but not your finest, just like a Craigslist date.

Re-Animator: The Musical has been extended though May 29th.
Music and lyrics by Mark Nutter
Book by Dennis Paoli, Stuart Gordon, and William J. Norris
Directed by Stuart Gordon
With George Wendt, Rachel Avery, Mark Beltzman, Cynthia Carle, Brian Gillespie, Marlon Grace, Liesel Hanson, Chris L. McKenna, Jesse Merlin and Graham Skipper.

The Steve Allen Theater
4773 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90027
Parking lot behind the building.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday at 8:00 PM

Admission $25.
Reservations: 1-800-595-4TIX (595-4849)
Online: www.steveallentheater.com
www.re-animatorthemusical.com