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Evil Dead: The Musical

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Started 1 year ago by robotatomica
Latest reply from Anne

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robotatomica

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First of all, I wanna go.

But seriously, am I mistaken to see that there are TWO SEPARATE COMPANIES performing this in central Ohio this summer?? :O

There is the CATCO presentation in the Riffe Center 6/1-19, and apparently the Dark Woods Theatre Company is also doing performances between June 24 and July 23.

Ok, so...I heard from a friend that the latter is going to be outdoors, actually staged at an old cabin, sounds pretty interesting! But I have never heard of the Dark Woods Theatre Company, and though I always like to check out something new, I really don't know which is the one to go to!!

Anybody have any ideas, heard anything??

Oh, and, just checked out the Dark Woods website and they warn that all seats are in the "Spatter Zone" meaning you are likely to be sprayed with fake blood during the show. :D

Posted 1 year ago #
srmtc00
Vic Village
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Dark Woods had programmed the show into their season some time ago. CATCO had scheduled SOUVENIR for the time slot, then switched it in the last few weeks, effectively eclipsing Dark Woods. Both theaters are members of the theater roundtable in Columbus, and CATCO knew that Dark Woods was planning on doing the show.

It seems totally unethical to me that CATCO would deliberately steal a show from another, albeit community based company, and they should be ashamed of themselves. Moreover, if is antithetical to their subscriber base to replace a show like SOUVENIR with EVIL DEAD. That's the theatrical equivalent of replacing Michael Bolton with Nine Inch Nails.

I believe that CATCO is struggling to stay current and relevant, and will stop at nothing to do so, including being the bully of the theatrical community, and I for one will not support them.

Posted 1 year ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Previous discussion: http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/is-catco-being-sketchy

Posted 1 year ago #
eclucia

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I have become a follower of Evil Dead the Musical. I have been going to shows as often as I can. I can personally say I was very highly excited by Dark Woods announcing this show. Since the announcement I have been following it closely. As for the other theater just suddenly announcing Evil Dead, it worries me. Not taking the time to really put forth the effort to do the show justice, could result in Toledo all over again.

Dark Woods seems to understand the concept of the whole show, and seem to be sparing no expense in making it a show to remember.

Posted 1 year ago #
Brant
Gahanna
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srmtc00 wrote >>
I believe that CATCO is struggling to pay their bills ...

FTFY

Posted 1 year ago #
robotatomica

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Thanks for the info guys! Yeah, the more I hear about this, the more I'm convinced...Dark Woods, the ones to see; CATCO, acting like a buncha jerks!

And thanks for linking the other topic, I skimmed but didn't originally see anything...I'll have to check it out!

Posted 1 year ago #
mauveincognito

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Robotatomica--Wait! Some things to consider.

Here's the thing: yes, what Catco did was pretty bitchy.

But,

1: Lord help us, Dark Woods does not consistently put on good shows, and Catco does. Yes, yes, I know that largely, that's a matter of my own personal opinion. Sorry guys. But here's what you should know: Dark Woods Theater Company is another (another!) offshoot of the Center Stage Players/Drawing Room Theater boys. These are nice folks, but they spend way too much time thinking up "cool" new ideas for their several theatre companies rather than spending actual funds and attention on one or two shows that would otherwise be awesome. Dark Woods "Legend of Saran"? A good try, but they just weren't equipped to deal with the outdoor setting--instead of actors actually saying their lines during the performance (and I'm not kidding here), the dialogue was pre-recorded! making for what was largely a big old ball of awkward. Maybe if they'd spent that time and money on hiring, oh, a real band for the shows in their "all musical" CSP season, they'd have had one show that rocked, rather than a bunch of shows that ran the gamut from "yikes, who thought that was a good idea?" to "oh, ok." Their annual Rocky Horror is always a hoot, and Spelling Bee was great. But these guys just aren't consistent, and their reputation precedes them, which brings me to point 2:

2: All of Columbus's talented actors turned up to audition for Catco's production (even knowing, as they did, that DW was already putting it on). In Catco's, you'll see the best Columbus has to offer, putting on a show with, gee, real funding, used smartly. Catco is made up of people who know how to make good, thoughtful theatre on a shoestring, and DW is made up of folks with some rad ideas, but no knowledge of how efficient, effective theatre is made. I'm sure DW managed to find a cast, but if you want to see the show you love done justice, see Catco's!

OR, IN THE SPIRIT OF SUPPORTING COMMUNITY THEATRE, SEE BOTH! Yes, I have my definite opinions about what CSP/DR/DW does, but here's the bottom line: nothing should stop you from supporting community theatre in any of its strange and wonderful forms. They are sure to be two very different shows--and I can understand the allure of seeing Evil Dead in the woods...

Posted 1 year ago #
Slay

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Hello Mauve, welcome to Columbus Underground. Did you really create a posting account just so you could bash Dark Woods? And you weren't even ballsy enough to identify yourself? Poor form, I'd say.

But I'm really salivating to deal with this bit of obnoxious hyperbole:

All of Columbus's talented actors turned up to audition for Catco's production.

Really? ALL of them? Do you think I could get that list? And d'you think any of the actors participating in the dozen or so other shows happening at the same time as the Evil Deads might find that just a tad insulting? This kind of BS really undermines your credibility with the potential theatre-going audience, not to mention with anyone who might have been reading your post hoping for a fair-minded comparison of the two shows. I take it you were AT those auditions? Are you Catco staff? Board? In their show? Does Steven Anderson know you're over here making him look bad?

And then you go on to bash DW because they don't have as much cash as Catco? Thank goodness most people round these parts already realize that the quality of the art has very little to do with the size of the budget. Come on, which is it? "Real funding" or a "shoestring" budget"? I don't think Catco can lay claims to both.

I'm staying outta the Evil Dead vs Evil Dead fracas itself. I have no opinion, so don't ask. But I can't stand idly by and watch folks throwing mud on members of my artistic community like you did. That kind thing should be beneath us.

PS. Have you seen that episode of The West Wing where Josh gets caught up in posting on a message board that's about him? I suggest you watch it before coming back to to stir up more shit.

PPS. In case there's any question or doubt, I'm Matt Slaybaugh, and I'm the Artistic Director of Available Light Theatre.

Posted 1 year ago #
robotatomica

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Well honestly, I'm just glad to get differing opinions on that matter, because, while I agree with Slay that some aspects of Mauve's post seem a little exaggerated, other parts are definitely good to know. I mean, I still think that, if forced to choose, the "right" performance to see this year is Dark Woods'. But not having heard of them before, I did wonder about the quality and at the end of the day, yes...it's a movie I love and I would love to see it done best.

So maybe it isn't a bad suggestion to see both. I like the idea of supporting community theatre, though I still feel pretty strongly that a message ought to be sent to whichever folks at CATCO chose to do the thieving!

So I will still just see the Dark Woods' version...I mean, it's not like I have any idea what I'm in for, because a couple months ago I didn't even think I lived in a world where Evil Dead [i]could become a musical haha. I don't imagine I could be disappointed by even the most average performance.

Posted 1 year ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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I'm not really interested in the "drama drama" around this show, but agree with the sentiment that both theatre companies should be supported, and seeing both shows if possible would be a good option.

That being said, the folks at CATCO invited me in to do a reading for a voice over narration bit to be used for some of the showings. Fun! I got to take a peek at the set too, and read through the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis:

The show starts tomorrow and runs through the 19th:

http://www.catcoistheatre.org/seasons/2010-2011-season/evil-dead-the-musical/overview

Posted 12 months ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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June 1, 2011
Hail to the King, Baby
By Zachariah Jones

The only musical in the world with a splatter zone is bringing its boomstick to Columbus. Evil Dead: The Musical, presented by CATCO, opens June 1 at the Riffe CenterÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s Capitol Theatre. It will run through June 19.

Evil Dead: The Musical is based on a series of movies: The Evil Dead (1981), Evil Dead II (1987) and Army of Darkness (1992). The original Evil Dead was a straight-up horror movie, but when its unique brand of low-budget camp garnered more laughs than screams, the filmmakers ramped up the comedy in the second and third installments.

READ MORE: http://www.columbuscityscene.org/hail_to_the_king_baby.html

Posted 11 months ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Theater Review | Evil Dead: Cult hit a bloody B-movie on stage
Saturday, June 4, 2011
BY MICHAEL GROSSBERG

Well, that was weird. One of off-Broadway's recent and oddest cult hits has come to Columbus with its blood and guts intact, although some of the parodic humor seems to be missing in action. I blame Candarian demons.

READ MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/06/03/evil_review.html?sid=101

Posted 11 months ago #
Anne
King Lincoln
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CATCO's Evil Dead - The Musical
EXTENDED though JULY 10!

http://www.catco.org/

Posted 11 months ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Evil Dead vs. Evil Dead – Two Theatre Groups Fill the Summer with Blood!
By: Anne

Most of you may have heard, there are two theatre groups doing performances of Evil Dead the Musical this summer. So if you love Evil Dead and are thinking of which one to see… see both! Each of the performances are hilariously campy renditions of the movies and are packed with jokes, dancing and plenty of blood.

READ MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/evil-dead-vs-evil-dead-two-theatre-groups-fill-the-summer-with-blood

Posted 10 months ago #
Anne
King Lincoln
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CATCO's Evil Dead is back for Halloween! First Show opens this Saturday.
Via CATCO is Theatre's Facebook page:
BLOOD WILL FLOW TONIGHT!
If people knew how much fun rehearsals were, they would insist on buying tickets to see them. Saturday night is the first performance of the newly revived Evil Dead the Musical. Last night our talented friends from Aveda attended a run through. They will be doing hair and makeup for the show. Tonight we start working the new and improved blood effects. Groovy!

Posted 8 months ago #
Anne
King Lincoln
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Special offer for CU readers!
"CATCO is pleased to offer CU readers 50% off single tickets using the code EVILDEAD. It’s good for the whole run of the show. The disclaimer is: Restoration and service fees may apply. Cannot be combined with other offers. Does not apply to previously purchased tickets. Deadite or chainsaw not included."

Posted 7 months ago #