A few things become very evident when seeing Evil Dead: The Musical. It draws an entirely different crowd than most theatre, I have never seen so many tattoos or young, good looking people in a theatre lobby. It has a very loyal fanbase that starts cheering from the second the lights come down, and the cast is obviously having an absolute ball on stage.

"It is pretty fantastic, a dream coming true. Ground Zero Theatre/Hit and Myth Productions feels like home and a family," Calgary actor Tyler Rive, who plays Ash, told GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine before a recent performance. "It is nice to be able to work with people you love working with. There is nothing better. It has been one of the most amazing professional experiences of my life.It is a really rare experience that the audience is so into a piece. It will probably never happen again where I am saying lines and a group of people is yelling them back at me."

The show is campy, over the top, and 100% pure entertainment. There are some really awesome subtle jokes for fans of the franchise, but even if you have never seen the movies there is enough to keep you entertained.

Rive is a natural as Ash, evolving from a dorky S-Mart employee into a catchphrase spouting, gun weilding, chainsaw handed badass. Knowing how hardcore the fanbase is, Rive had his work cut out for him.

"It is a tall order. I was really happy to get the part, but along with the part comes the responsibility of fullfilling what people want to see. There is an expectation to see a lot of what they saw in the movies. The difficulty is between fullfilling those needs and making it your own. I meticulously went over the movies over and over again and really studied Bruce Campbell throughout it - what he was doing, where his eyes go, his mannerisms, how he is saying stuff. To try and make those iconic movies in the film that are translated into the musical as authentic as possible."

From a technical standpoint, this show is a treat to watch. From the blood effects to the giant talking moose and dancing beaver to Rive wrestling with his own hand, it's amazing how fluidly things change right before your eyes. The physicality has had a toll, but worth it says Rive.

"There is no understudy for me, so it is pretty imperitive that I keep my health up. I started running before rehearsals and kept that up, and I am trying to not make myself bleed during the show. During rehearsal I cut myself open probably 6 or 7 times. I punched myself in the face and made my nose bleed. Cut open my lip in a couple of different places. Cut open my hands, punctured my legs into my ass. A variety of things from going hard."

I am still buzzing from finally seeing this show (my schedule combined with the first half of the run selling out early meant I didn't see it until halfway through). I do admit some envy in watching the first three rows, many clad in white t-shirts or donning ponchos in preparation for the onslaught that would hit them in the second act of the show. This is one of the highlights, as watching them get absolutely drenched in blood and their reaction is worth the price of admission alone. However, I have a cure for that envy...tickets to see Evil Dead: The Musical from the Splatter Zone on July 8th!

Due to demand, Evil Dead: The Musical has been extended again, running until July 12th. Have friends coming in for Stampede? Looking for something to do to escape the summer heat? Evil Dead is one of the most fun theatrical experiences I have ever had. So consider me a deadite, with this simple message. Join Us. Join Us!! Join us at Evil Dead: The Musical.

Evil Dead: The Musical

May 24th - July 12th

Playing at the Vertigo Theatre

www.gzt.ca