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Blue Barn giving a stage life to 'Toxic Avenger'
By Jeff Korbelik
Thursday, Jul 29, 2004 - 06:26:45 pm CDT
The movie is so bad it's good.
That's the easiest way to sum up "The Toxic Avenger," the 1985 cult classic from Troma Films that has spawned three sequels and a comic book
And now a musical.
The Blue Barn Theatre in Omaha is in the midst of presenting the world premiere of "Toxic Avenger: The Musical!"
"(Our audiences) have been enjoying the hell out of it," said Blue Barn co-artistic/executive director Hughston Walkinshaw, who plays the superhero Toxie in the musical.
"They are laughing a lot," he added. "They clap along to the last song. They seem to really, really like it."
What's not to love?
The films, after all, have become legendary among B-movie lovers, ranking among such classics as "The Attack of the 50-Foot Woman" and the original "Godzilla."
For those unfamiliar with Toxie, the character is the creation of Troma Films founder Lloyd Kaufman, who co-wrote and co-directed the original film.
The story is set in fictional Tromaville, N.J., a small town terrorized by criminals and corruption.
When a cruel hoax goes horribly wrong, Melvin, a nerdy janitor, falls into a vat of hazardous toxic waste and turns into a sentimental crimefighter. It's the basic superhero story of a nobody turning into a somebody.
"It seemed, to me, a really good idea for a musical," said Rob Urbinati, who adapted the musical for the stage and is directing the Blue Barn production.
"We're doing a very funny, over-the-top, outrageous take on it," the New York director said.
Lincoln theater patrons may remember Urbinati. He twice directed "A Christmas Carol" productions at the Lied Center for Performing Arts. He also has worked extensively with Doane College students over the past three years on various film and stage projects.
Last fall, he directed "Cruelties & Chelsea" at the Blue Barn Theatre. He mentioned to Blue Barn administrators, who were looking for a summer musical, that he had "Toxic" in the works.
"We trust Rob's sensibilities," Walkinshaw said.
Urbinati became involved in "Toxic" after producer friend Scott Perrin ("Our Sinatra," "Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know") brought him the project.
Los Angeles composer Kevin Saunders Hayes originally had penned the musical's score, book and lyrics. Urbinati signed on to help Hayes rewrite the book and lyrics to make them stronger.
The result, Walkinshaw said, is a "Shrek"-like script that adults and kids both will like.
"Rob wants this to have a life," Walkinshaw said. "It has an exuberant quality to it."
Urbinati decided to premiere it in Omaha, away from New York audiences and critics, in order to get it on its feet and running.
"I have this long-going, never-ending relationship with Nebraska," he said. "It's always fun for me to go back there."
After "Toxic" concludes its run in Omaha, it will be remounted off-Broadway in New York this winter, Urbinati said.
"The material is commercial," he said. "We're taking one step at a time."
Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@;journalstar.com.
If you go
What: "Toxic Avenger: The Musical!"
Where: Blue Barn Theatre, 614 S. 11th St., Omaha
When: 7:30 p.m. today through Sunday and July 29-Aug. 1
Tickets: $15, $12 students and senior citizens; (402) 345-1576
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