Forgotten Musicals: ‘The Toxic Avenger’ (2008)

Forgotten Musicals: ‘The Toxic Avenger’   (2008)

Book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro

Music and lyrics by David Bryan

History:

This rock ‘n’ roll musical comedy from the Tony Award-winning creative team behind ‘Memphis’, Joe DiPietro and David Bryan, is based on the 1984 cult classic film from Troma Entertainment. It was first produced under the direction of John Rando at George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, New Jersey and opened after previews officially on 10th October 2008. The New York City premiere opened at New World Stages on 6th April 2009, closing on 2nd January 2010 after over 300 performances, when the production left for a tour across the United States.

Plot:

The citizens of Tromaville, New Jersey, are crying out for a hero - enter Melvin Ferd the Third, an aspiring earth scientist determined to clean up the toxic waste problem. But when a corrupt Mayor and her government goons try to stop this heroic feat, Melvin is tossed into a vat of toxic waste and transformed into The Toxic Avenger, New Jersey’s first superhero! ‘Toxie’ is a seven-foot mutant freak with superhuman strength and a super-sized heart to match. He’s out to save New Jersey, end global warming, woo the prettiest (and blindest) librarian in town and get home in time for dinner, in the most toxic of love stories, with an environmental twist.

In a Nutshell: 

Can a seven-foot mutant freak ever save the day and get the girl, even if love is blind ?

Production:

The European premiere of 'The Toxic Avenger' was at the Southwark Playhouse, London, in April 2016 [where I was later to see the UK premiere of 'Side Show’]. Mark Anderson played ‘Melvin/Toxie’, whilst Hannah Grover, was Sarah, his love interest. Having heard good things about the show from my parents who had caught it off-Broadway on a visit to my cousin who actually lives in New Jersey (but not Tromaville), I booked a ticket for May 2016.

Taking my seat in an auditorium full of barrels of ‘toxic waste’, I was surprised when cult-musical star, Patricia Quinn, took a seat two rows behind me (she’s ‘Magenta’ in the ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’, as well as being in Seventh Doctor TV story ‘Dragonfire’ and Seventh Doctor audio story ‘Bang-Bang-A-Boom’). Following a prologue involving a swearing nun and two workmen, the show began in earnest with the introduction of Melvin and Sarah the blind librarian whom he is in love with, followed by the villain of the piece, the sexy Mayor (Lizzii Hills). It also became clear that two actors, deemed Black Dude (Ashley Samuels) and White Dude (Marc Pickering) in the programme were playing all the other parts, from the bullies that throw Melvin in the toxic waste to Old Ladies, Police Officers and Doctors. The change to Melvin was well-realised, and Hannah Grover made the most of having to ‘feel her way’ off stage, climbing over those on the front row, admitting on the second occasion that this was just to allow for costume changes by Ashley and Marc. The rock score was excellently infectious, whilst also being very rude in the style of ‘The Book of Mormon’ (which both Mark & Ashley have been in). Highly recommended.

'The Toxic Avenger' ran at the Southwark Playhouse in London from 22nd April 2016 to 21st May 2016.

Signature Song:

Unfortunately my two favourite songs are both ‘parental advisory’, but my favourite is the sung fight between the Mayor and Melvin’s mother (who are both played by the same actress, rapidly swapping from one to the other) – ‘Bitch, Slut, Liar, Whore’. Running it close are ‘Evil is Hot’, again featuring the Mayor, and ‘You Tore My Heart Out’ – Toxie’s big number.

Links: 

Production website.
The songs can be found on Spotify here.