If you are a fan of Sam Raimi’s classic horror film The Evil Dead, or even film in general, I suggest you see EVIL DEAD in Concert as soon as you can.”Yeah but I’ve seen The Evil Dead,” might be your first thought. Not like this you haven’t. EVIL DEAD in Concert, is the film that we have come to know and love. But this time, it’s accompanied by an intimate 7 piece orchestra that delivers the score live, in real time, as the movie plays. I can guarantee you that you have never seen The Evil Dead quite like this.
About the film: In 1981, writer-director Sam Raimi went out into the Tennessee woods and shot an independent horror film about stupid young adults who rent a cabin deep in the Tennessee woods, only to summon unspeakable evil by reading from a cursed book of incantations. As any horror film would have it, the evil is unleashed and one by one the feckless 80’s glampers are possessed and killed. Simple enough really. While Stephen King hailed the film as “fiercely original,” I argue that it isn’t the premise, but the delivery that stands the test of time. Groundbreaking shots, inventive story beats, and gore that pushed the boundaries of the ratings system at the time make this a classic. In short, The Evil Dead is a film that deserved its loyal fanbase.
But what about EVIL DEAD in Concert? Presented with one 20 minute intermission, It’s one hell of a good time.
As the show began, 7 mild mannered musicians waved at the crowd and took their places on stage. Above them was the movie screen. The visual focus, if you will. An ensemble of various strings and percussion, none of us had any idea what this talented group of musicians was about to unleash.
After a quick overture, The film starts. iImmediately the line between live performance and film merges as we see the familiar classic and hear live score. As the movie went along, subtle lighting touches punctuated the stage and theater, heightening the action in the film. Emphasis is put on the film itself, but I kept finding myself watching the musicians. I wanted to see them work, I wanted to know when they complimented the film with even the slightest pluck of a violin string. Instead the focus of the event, the musicians of the concert, were relegated to theatrical lighting and darkness in favor of the screen.
That’s not to say the live accompaniment was lost. Hardly. This talented band of musicians infuse new life into the DEAD. There is a certain energy that a live orchestra gives to a performance space and this crew brought it. This is the chance to experience a classic horror movie in a new way. EVIL DEAD in Concert is an absolute must for not just fans of The Evil Dead, but for fans of film in general. To watch (when possible) musicians bring the emotional core of a film to life in real time is pure black magic.
The film is rated NC-17 because it’s cool and for substantial graphic horror violence and gore.
Remaining Performances
November 5 Tucson, AZ Rialto Theatre
November 7 San Antonio, TX Aztec Theater
November 8 Dallas, TX Majestic Theatre
November 9 Austin, TX Paramount Theatre
November 10 Houston, TX Bayou Music Center
November 11 New Orleans, LA Orpheum Theater
November 12 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse
November 13 Ponte Vedra Beach, FL Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
November 14 Clearwater, FL Capitol Theatre
November 15 Orlando, FL Plaza Live
November 17 Spartanburg, SC Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium
November 18 Charleston, SC Charleston Music Hall
November 19 Roanoke, VA Berglund Center
November 20 Virginia Beach, VA Sandler Center
November 21 Charlotte, NC Ovens Auditorium
