So, I finally had my first chance to take advantage of 20 at 20 yesterday. For the first two weeks in September and, again in January, several Off-Broadway shows run a special which offer $20 tickets to the show 20 minutes before the show begins. It's a way to help boost sagging ticket sales in, what are typically, the slowest theater weeks of the year. Yesterday I had the chance to see The Toxic Avenger which is playing at the New World Stages.
Based on the 1980's Troma Entertainment film of the same name, The Toxic Avenger is about a young geek, Melvin Ferd the Third (played, at this performance by Jason Wooten) who has decided to get to the bottom of the toxic pollution that is constantly winding up on New Jersey's shores from Manhattan. His investigation leads him to the office of the Mayor of Tromaville (the hilarious, Nancy Opel) whom, he finds, is the person in charge of The Good Earth, the Greenpeace-like organization charged with all of the dumping. When called on her scheme, the mayor offers Melvin a position as Deputy in helping clean up the town. She then, hires two bullies to rough him up and scare him into leaving the toxic issue alone. Instead the bullies, drop Melvin into a vat of toxic waste and our unusual hero is born. He sets out to stop the Mayor and the pollution while falling in love with a blind librarian (Diana Degarmo) whom he's afraid to let touch him.
This show was so much fun to see! The music by, Joe DiPietro and David Bryan, was a great rock score that reminded me of Bon Jovi (Bryan's day job as songwriter and keyboard player! Not too shabby.) A vibe of Little Shop of Horrors was felt throughout the production, as well. The show is totally campy and so much fun! Some of the best things to watch are shows that know they're campy and just have fun. It's when shows like this try to take themselves seriously, that things start to go downhill. Luckily, Toxie doesn't do that. It starts with campy fun and stays that way!
Another thing that makes this show work, is the cast. The show only has a 5 person cast with most of the townsfolk being played by Johnathan Root and Demond Green. The two of them hilariously change from character to character throughout the show, getting funnier and funnier as they go. Former American Idol finalist, Diana Degarmo handle the role of blind librarian Sarah well. She still has that great belting voice that got her to the AI finals and does well with what she has but, I couldn't help thinking that her role could've been so much funnier. Jason Wooten was Melivn/Toxie, at the show I saw, and did a great job with his role. He was the "straight man" to the craziness going on around him. In my opinion though, the REAL star of the show was Nancy Opel. She takes on dual roles as Mayor Belgoody and Ma Ferd. She's easily the most hilarious thing in the show! Watching her can do nothing but bring a smile to your face. A credit to the production is that the entire cast looks to be having a great time! If they aren't, then their even better actors than I thought because it looks like they're loving every minute of it.
So, I'm glad I went to see this show! I was afraid that not knowing about the movie that I might miss some of what was going on but, that certainly wasn't the case. I think anyone who's in New York should take a trip to the New World Stages and see it. It great campy, fun entertainment! If that's what you're looking for, you'll get it in spades, with this show!
Until next time...
----MC
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