CHICAGO – Black Button Eyes Productions is pleased to announce casting for the Chicago storefront premiere of EVIL DEAD THE MUSICAL, a parody of Sam Raimi’s classic Evil Dead horror films, with book and lyrics by George Reinblatt and music by Christopher Bond, Frank Cipolla, Melissa Morris and George Reinblatt.
EVIL DEAD THE MUSICAL will feature Kirby Gibson, Caitlin Jackson, Josh Kemper, David Lipschutz, Stevie Love, Robert Quintanilla, Shane Roberie and Tommy Thurston.
Directed by Producing Artistic Director Ed Rutherford with music direction by Oliver Townsend and choreography by Derek Van Barham, the spooky send-up will play January 11 – February 16, 2019 at Pride Arts Center (The Broadway), 4139 N. Broadway in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.blackbuttoneyes.com or brownpapertickets.com. The press opening is Friday, January 18 at 7:30 pm.
It just wouldn’t stay dead. Black Button Eyes Productions brings this loving musical parody of Sam Raimi’s classic Evil Dead films back to the city for its Chicago storefront premiere! When a group of fresh-faced college kids go to a cabin in the woods for spring break, it’s only a matter of time before spells are spoken and demonic possession begins. Take in the horror and hilarity in the gritty storefront setting where this show belongs!
The production team for EVIL DEAD THE MUSICAL includes: Jeremiah Barr (scenic, props and puppets design, technical director), Rachel Sypniewski (costume design), Liz Cooper (lighting design), Robert Hornbostel (sound design), Jon Beal (fight choreographer, gore consultant) David Lipschutz (assistant director), Melanie Thompson (assistant props design) Lexi Berkowitz (stage manager) and Beth Weinstock (assistant stage manager).
PRODUCTION DETAILS:
Title: EVIL DEAD THE MUSICAL
Book and Lyrics: George Reinblatt
Music: Christopher Bond, Frank Cipolla, Melissa Morris and George Reinblatt
Director: Producing Artistic Director Ed Rutherford
Choreographer: Derek Van Barham
Cast (in alphabetical order): Kirby Gibson (Linda), Caitlin Jackson (Cheryl), Josh Kemper (Scott), David Lipschutz (Fake Shemp), Stevie Love (Shelly, Annie), Robert Quintanilla (Ed, Moose), Shane Roberie (Jake) and Tommy Thurston (Ash).
Understudy: Maiko Terazawa
Location: Pride Arts Center (The Broadway), 4139 N. Broadway, Chicago
Dates: Previews: Friday, January 11 at 7:30 pm, Saturday, January 12 at 7:30 pm, Sunday, January 13 at 2 pm and Thursday, January 17 at 7:30 pm
Press performance: The press opening is Friday, January 18 at 7:30 pm
Regular run: Saturday, January 19 – Saturday, February 16, 2019
Curtain Times: Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 2 pm. Please note: there will be an added performance on Tuesday, January 29 at 7:30 pm.
Tickets: $30. Tickets are currently available at www.blackbuttoneyes.com or brownpapertickets.com.
The Splatter Zone: Seating is general admission, however select seats in the first three rows are sold separately as “splatter zone,” where audience member should be prepared to be splashed with fake blood (non-allergenic, completely washable). Disposable ponchos will be provided at the box office (or bring your own).
About the Artists:
Ed Rutherford (Director) Directing for Black Button Eyes: Nightmares & Nightcaps: The Stories of John Collier (World Premiere), Nevermore (Chicago premiere), Shockheaded Peter, Amour (Chicago premiere), Goblin Market and Coraline (Midwest Premiere). He is an artistic associate with Promethean Theatre Ensemble, where he directed The Liar, his own adaptation of the Peter S. Beagle’s The Last Unicorn, Brecht’s The Caucasian Chalk Circle and the company’s inaugural production, Christopher Durang’s Beyond Therapy. Directing with Brown Paper Box Co: The Baltimore Waltz. As an actor, he’s performed with Drury Lane Oakbrook, Porchlight, Theater Wit and many others. A graduate of Northwestern’s theater program, he recently completed his MBA at Kellogg.
Oliver Townsend (Music Director) is pleased to have the opportunity to work on Evil Dead the Musical with Black Button Eyes Productions. Most recently, he was the Associate Music Director for the National Tour of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Preceding that, he was the Cast Music Supervisor for Carnival Cruise Lines, overseeing the performances on various ships. He has played the keyboard for artists including Lorna Luft, Il Divo, The Foundations and Marvin Hamlisch. Other credits include various productions of Wicked (he started at age 20 and is the youngest pianist perform the show to date!), Legally Blonde at the Paramount Theatre, The Color Purple at the Mercury Theatre, Disaster at Chicago Theatre Works, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (the show’s composer/lyricist, William Finn, praised Oliver’s interpretation of the score) and playing in the final band for the Gold Unit of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Derek Van Barham (Choreographer) is the Associate Artistic Director of Pride Films & Plays and a member of the Red Tape Theatre ensemble. Choreography credits include The CiviliTy of Albert Cashier and BITE (PFP), all Black Button Eyes productions, and Salonathon. For PFP, he has directed Perfect Arrangement, Angry Fags (Steppenwolf Garage), Songs from an Unmade Bed (Jeff nomination) and (co-directing) PRISCILLA, Queen of the Desert: The Musical. Other directing credits include The View Upstairs (Circle Theatre), Three Days of Rain (Boho), Miracle! by Dan Savage, Skooby Don’t (Hell in a Handbag) and HOT PINK (New American Folk Theatre). He was named one of Windy City Times 30 Under 30, recognizing Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community.
About Black Button Eyes Productions
The 2018-19 season continues Black Button Eyes Productions’ mission to bring to Chicago premieres and seldom-seen works containing elements of fantasy, in which the magical and surreal invade reality. The company was founded in 2014 with the acclaimed Midwest premiere of the musical Coraline, and continued in 2015 by producing the musical Goblin Market in its first Chicago production in over 15 years, attended by the author, Chicago native Polly Pen. In the past few seasons, the company has produced the Chicago premiere of the musical Amour, the Chicago storefront premiere of Shockheaded Peter, the Chicago premiere of the musical Nevermore – The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe and the world premiere of Nightmares and Nightcaps: The Stories of John Collier.
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