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Fun feel, plenty of camp in Salem’s ‘Toxic Avenger’
By Eric McCrea
Toxic waste is no laughing matter, unless an accident turns you into a hideously deformed monster with superhuman size and strength. At least, that’s what happens to the protagonist in “The Toxic Avenger: The Musical” now showing at the Salem Community Theatre.
Adapted by Joe DiPietro and David Bryan from the cult movie of the same name, this balls-to-the-wall production uses hilarious gore and juvenile dialogue to complete this nostalgic trip down ’80s lane.
Melvin Ferd the Third, played by Matthew Schomer, is a small-framed nerd living in New Jersey. His ‘scenic’ neighborhood is so overrun with toxic waste sent from Manhattan that even the love of his life, blind librarian Sarah (Carly Ellis) can smell the difference.
After Melvin is attacked by bullies and dumped into a vat of deadly sludge, he is transformed into New Jersey’s first superhero, the Toxic Avenger. He uses his new found gifts to fight back against pollution, however Sarah is a diehard pacifist, and makes him promise not to hurt anyone.
Meanwhile, the Mayor (Tara Holl) searches for a way to bring down Toxie and protect her evil corporation. Luckily, Melvin’s mother (also Holl) is around to help make the Garden State green again.
Director Dan Haueter returned to Salem after directing last Halloween’s “Evil Dead,” and he was a perfect choice for the job.
His familiarity with the genre is apparent, and the show has a very fun feel because of it. Staging was a weak point for him, with blocking and scene changes in need of some smoothing.
Anyone who has seen the original Troma Entertainment film will expect heavy doses of camp, and they will not be disappointed. Original music used in this show plays to that aspect, keeping things light and fast-paced. The first act didn’t get a ton of reaction from the small audience, but by the end, everyone was in the spirit.
Ellis’s portrayal of the cane-wielding bibliophile was a perfect example of camp acting. She was sweet and endearing, as a stereotype heroine generally is, but her ability to do physical comedy while acting blind was especially impressive.
None of the songs in “Avenger” were especially catchy, and most had an appropriately comedic tone, but Schomer’s solo “You Tore My Heart Out” was a note above the rest. The melancholy song was a turning point for Toxie, and Schomer was incredibly passionate in his delivery. He also acted well, creating two separate characters, and performed in some challenging costume pieces.
With a small cast of five playing more than a dozen roles, there was a decent amount of overlap.
Holl, playing the Mayor and Ma Ferd, got a lot of stage time, but really stood out during her solo/duet sung by both of her characters.
Haueter also acted in this show alongside choreographer Sarah Kinser, with each of them stepping in and out of characters more frequently than light cues.
“The Toxic Avenger: The Musical” can be seen on stage at the Salem Community Theater at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For reservations, call 330-332-9688.