PRE- AND POST-SPLATTER: Debra and Ron Sanes before and after ‘Evil Dead, The Musical.’ Photo by Kevin Coughlin
By Kevin Coughlin
Five young friends. A deserted cabin. A chainsaw.
Need we say more?
Well, if you insist…
Splatter zone.
COLD-BLOODED ENTERTAINMENT: Jason Gadino, left, and Pepper, Zoe and Tony Kaminski of Randolph at ‘Evil Dead’ musical. ‘It was really fun…but I’m really cold now!’ said Zoe, 12. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
There you have it, our review of Evil Dead, The Musical, which drenched the front rows of Morristown’s Mayo Performing Arts Center in geysers of gore.
“There could have been a little more blood,” deadpanned Ron Sanes. He and his wife Debra donned white clean-room suits for the occasion. They left looking like they had been spackled… by a chainsaw.
“It was pretty intense,” Debra Sanes said.
Graphic designers John Herbst and Ali Weber traveled considerable distances — from Wilton, CT, and Briarcliff Manor, NY, respectively — for the privilege of getting splattered.
“We missed it last year,” Herbst explained.
GOOD CLEAN FAMILY FUN: Bill Leger and daughter Amanda, with a bony friend, at ‘Evil Dead, The Musical,’ in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Bill Leger of Clifton was treated for his 56th birthday by his wife Janet and daughter Amanda, 17. Bill also brought a skull and several vertebrae to mark the special night.
As a child, Amanda discovered her dad’s Evil Dead DVDs and got hooked.
“It’s very sarcastic. I appreciate the humor,” said the high school senior.
And mom?
“No,” Janet Leger answered without hesitation.
Gabor Nagy of Morristown said he loved the 1983 cult movie so much that he caught the musical off-Broadway a decade ago. He could not pass up a chance to share some zombie moments on South Street with brother Todd Nagy of Hoboken and their pal Craig Abramson of Mount Olive.
“Getting us out of the house, that’s key,” said Abramson. “Our wives said, ‘There’s no way we’re going to this!'”
MPAC volunteer Pat Weeks, left, with Gabor Nagy, Craig Abramson and Todd Nagy at ‘Evil Dead, The Musical.’ Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Cathryn Gratto and daughter Georgie of Elmwood Park survived the faux-bloodbath at ‘Evil Dead, The Musical.’ Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Cast of ‘Evil Dead, The Musical’ signed posters (with ink, not blood!) at the Mayo Performing Arts Center. Photo by Kevin Coughlin