Hatrix Theatre’s tenth anniversary production of The Evil Dead, which opened Oct. 20 at the McNally Arts Centre just outside of Lethbridge, is sold out.
The exceptional production, directed by Brian Quinn features some familiar faces playing different roles when Hatrix first staged the horror/comedy musical 10 years ago.
“We‘ve sold out all eight shows. It’s fantastic. We’re very happy about that,” said Carrie-Ann Worden, who plays little sister Cheryl in this production. She played Annie in the original.
“ This was the right play to do after the pandemic. People really missed this,” she continued.
“There’s hilarity, campy, cheesy gore,” she described.
“There are so many fans of Evil Dead. 10 years ago, we had people coming all the way f
rom Portland for the show,” she said, adding the musical mirrors Bruce Campbell’s cult classic Evil Dead movie.
There are upbeat, hilarious songs, scattered profanity, dancing demons and the set moves as the necronomicon takes hold. And the first three rows get bloody in the splash zone.
Worden is excited to play Cheryl, the first victim of the candarian demons the necronomicon unleashes in this production.
“ I love Cheryl. I really identify with her. And she’s a lot of fun to play,” Worden said.
The production had a few problems getting off the ground, with cast members quitting due to health complications.
Cass Pollock, who was in the original run, stepped in at the last minute to reprise her role of Linda. Carrie Ann Worden came down with Covid right before the production.
“ So we couldn’t rehearse for two weeks because we didn’t want anyone else to get affected,“ she said, adding they also dealt with a few technical issues during opening night.
There are some familiar faces from the local comedy scene. Up and coming comedian Alli Price, who has performed with the Lethbridge Shakespeare Performance Society, returns to the stage as Alice.
Local comedian John Pogorzelski stars as good old reliable Jake.
Ryan Mennie does double duty as the moose and Evil Ed. Ray Hoffarth is the voice of Professor Knowlby
There are also some new faces as Ed Sauve joins the production as Scottie and Marie Galeana as his new paramour Shelley.
Aaron Broszat is exceptional as Ash, really embracing his character as well as the musical’s camp and humour.
Worden praised the busy backstage crew including Willem DeVos, set designer Brent Devos and lighting designer Reid Decillia.
And audiences have responded positively to the production. Most of them were shouting out the lines during the Oct. 21 run.
“The audience gave us a standing ovation on opening night,” Worden said.
“Having all of the seats sold out is a really great feeling, ” she continued, adding it is usually a challenge to sell seats. She is thankful for the support from the local community.
“ These are people from the local community and community theatre groups, she said.
unfortunately for last minute Lethbians, the show is completely sold out.
It runs until Sunday, Oct. 31, closing appropriately on Halloween.
— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor
