'Re-Animator: The Musical' Premieres at the Steve Allen Theatre

There has to be some sort of bizarre theatre history being made with the world premiere of Re-Animator: The Musical, written by Dennis Paoli, Stuart Gordon and William J. Norris, and directed by Stuart Gordon, at the Steve Allen Theatre in Hollywood. 

In 1985, Gordon, the founder and artistic director of Chicago’s renowned Organic Theatre, directed his first feature film, H.P. Lovecraft’s Re-Animator; entered it into the Cannes Festival and promptly won a Critics’ Prize. 

Now he presents us with a stage adaptation based not simply on the H.P. Lovecraft story, but his film version.  The genesis of the piece, if nothing else, is unique.  The result of it all is the funniest musical comedy I have seen in ages.

Re-Animator tells the story of Herbert West, played by a zany Graham Skipper, a brilliant young medical student who has created a glowing green serum that can bring the dead back to life. But what should be a medical breakthrough results in hideous monstrosities and ghastly zombies. “I guess he just wasn’t fresh enough,” is West’s constant refrain as his gleeful quest for fresh subjects results in the murders of his roommate’s cat then half of the medical school’s faculty.

George Wendt, best known as Norm from Cheers, is a riot as the dean of the medical school, who West transforms into a mindless zombie.  Chris L. McKenna is outstanding as Dan Cain, Herbert’s straight arrow roommate who is in love with Meg, the dean’s daughter, and drawn into the mayhem much against Meg’s wishes.  Meg, beautifully portrayed by Rachel Avery, mistrusts Herbert entirely and is the sexy moral compass for the piece. 

Jesse Merlin, as Dr. Carl Hill, not only loses his head for Meg, but to Herbert as well, who slices it off with a bone saw.  Thanks to the glowing re-agent, Dr. Hill and his head bound back with the head presented in his two hands, in front of his chest, singing in a fine character baritone.

Rounding out the cast are Mark Beltzman, Cynthia Carle, Brian Gillespie and Liesel Hanson.  The entire cast of Re-animator shines; from Rachel Avery’s beautifully lilting voice to George Wendt’s showstopping solo as a zombie. They execute Cynthia Carle’s standout choreography, which gets some of the biggest laughs of the night with aplomb. 

Composer Mark Nutter brings a fine score and comic musical stylings that encompass the operatic to the burlesque.  Finally, there is a new musical that gives us some memorable songs; chief among them the delightful recurring themes She’s Dead, Dan and We’ll Give Life.

Re-Animator: The Musical is a very funny combination of musical comedy styles.  There is a generous smattering of the Grand Guignol including eyeballs falling out of their sockets, splattering organs, gushing intestines and erupting blood.  There is never a dull moment as the special effects, done by Tony Doublin, John Naulin and John Beuchler, the same team who did them for the 1985 movie, adds its own layer of laughs with a dead cat magically re-animating and gore flowing so freely that the first row has to be designated as a “splash zone.”  Thankfully they are given large bibs to protect themselves. 

Be advised this play has partial nudity.  Some of it’s live, but it’s hard to be sure about the cadaver with her breast showing.  If she isn’t a special effect, she can hold her breath for a very long time.

Dean Schramm and Stuart Gordon’s entire production is spot on. Laura Fine Hawkes has provided suitably creepy sets based on a central double door that looms like an entryway to gothic horror.  Joe Kucharski’s costumes are effective and Jeff Ravitz lighting enhances the show scene by scene.

 Re-Animator: The Musical performs at the Steve Allen Theater, 4773 Hollywood Blvd. Friday through Sunday at 8 pm, through May 29.  Parking is behind building.  For tickets and information call 1-800-595-4TIX (595-4849) or online at www.steveallentheater.com.