Fullerton California just got a little more evil, bloody, and strangely musical. If you are a fan of horror you have probably seen all three of the Evil Dead movies (and most likely more than a few times.)  The chainsaw wielding wisecracking Ash is kind of the ultimate anti-hero, and in this delightful musical version of the story, he and the other four unwitting victims of the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis but adds the additional joy of poppy-snappy-catchy tunes (similar to the style of Little Shop of Horrors)

Originally coming out of Canada and having debuted at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, this Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell approved adaptation played successfully on Broadway, and then in 4-D in Las Vegas for extended runs, before making its Orange Country premiere at our favorite (and intimate) Maverick Theater.  

It’s funny, irreverent, with blood effects that look produced on a literal “shoe string budget”, and if you sit down front (for a nominal extra fee) you can wear some of the fake blood home with you.   

Jeff Campbell bears an uncanny resemblance to Bruce Campbell and provides a totally “groovy” performance as Ash, evolving from S-Mart housewares isle employee to one handed chainsaw un-dead ass kicker as his friends fall victim one by one to the evil awakened by the ancient book of the dead. 

For me Mailory Kerwin stole the show playing duel roles as Shelly and later (after an early kill) Annie.   She manages to nail both the comedic bimbo, and the out of touch archeologist roles with the tongue-in-cheek attitude the source material really deserves  (Yes series fans the musical is a blend of the first two movies…meaning you won’t have to ask why the hell Ash would ever go back to the same cabin again.)  

My one criticism of the opening night performance was the sound, it was hard to hear and understand a lot of the dialog (and therefore a lot of the jokes), From where I was way in the back, I could hear the audience laughing up front but really wasn’t sure what was so funny a lot of the  time. 

Nonetheless, make sure you make it down to the little theater directly across the tracks from the Fullerton Train Station to catch this horror classic presented in all its singing and no dancing glory before the run ends  August 19th.

The show runs Friday and Saturday @8pm , and Sunday @6pm

Ticket prices are $25 and $15 for students with a current school id.

Visit the Maverick Theater website for more details and box-office.