Photo: Jessica Sherman Photography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nDespite taking place in 1893, Deadly<\/em>\u2019s narrative echoes loudly in today\u2019s political and social climate. H. H. Holmes, a seemingly successful businessman, preys upon adventurous and intelligent women, even going so far as to state that with his status, he can do anything to them, whenever he wants. He exploits his victims with the sexist mindset that spirited women should be punished, silenced, and forgotten. While, in life, his victims\u2019 voices were never heard, as ghosts they speak as one and demand to be avenged. They take a stand for injustice, raising their voices together for their bodies to be found. This idea of ghosts (metaphorical or physical) coming back to haunt someone is especially prevalent in the current #metoo movement, during which women band together to shine a light on their predators. Along with the ghosts in Deadly<\/em>, the women of today demand to be heard and believed \u2013 no longer tolerating or staying silent when being taken advantage of.<\/p>\nPhoto: Jessica Sherman Photography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nDeadly<\/em>, while a proscenium piece, is nonetheless transportive with its clever and impressive staging. The moving set pieces are intricately designed to transform into the various rooms and kill chambers within Holmes\u2019 hotel. The staircases can lead to a second-floor hotel room, or they can lead to nowhere, trapping Holmes\u2019 victims like rats in a maze. One door frame serves as different macabre modes of murder \u2013 one minute the frame represents a furnace, and once rotated it represents a gas chamber. Andrew Schmedake\u2019s lighting design accentuates the different locales \u2013 burning reds for the furnace, misty greens for the poisonous gas \u2013 and Corwin Evans\u2019 video projections embellish the gore, such as the silhouette of a noose, or flowing blood down the back wall of the stage.<\/p>\nPhoto: Jessica Sherman Photography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nFurther transporting audiences into Deadly<\/em>\u2019s 1890s are the beautiful costumes by Linda Muggeridge, and hair and make-up design by Kat Bardot. The living and dead characters are strategically delineated by their appearance, and the three male cast members all have period moustaches that are to die for (no pun intended). Holmes\u2019 attire is stately and well-presented \u2013 it is easy to see why people are so taken with him \u2013 his perfect fa\u00e7ade only becoming sloppy as his rage and frustration spiral out of control. Gorgeous gowns with flowing skirts adorn the living women in Holmes\u2019 life, while the ghosts\u2019 tattered corsets and skirts allude to their rotting corpses and fading existence.<\/p>\nPhoto: Jessica Sherman Photography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nFull of working actors on television and in films, Deadly<\/em>\u2019s cast is magnificent in their respective roles. Keith Allan\u2019s (TV\u2019s Z Nation<\/em>) Holmes menacingly slithers across the stage as if in slow-motion, slinking around his prey, his evil lingering just beneath the surface of his respectable presentation. Samantha Barrios and Rebecca Larsen (as Minnie and Anna Williams, respectively) are able to highlight their vocal prowess and alleviate some of the tension with their brilliant comedic timing. Kristyn Evelyn\u2019s headstrong Evelyn Stewart instantly connects with the audience as an independent and capable woman with big dreams of her own, and her lovely operatic soprano adds to the eeriness of the music. Cj Merriman (Emeline Cigrand) commands the stage with her grounded presence and strong alto vocals. Holmes\u2019 assistant, Ben Pitezel, is alternately played by David LM McIntyre and TV\u2019s French Stewart. In the performance I attended, McIntyre was absolutely superb and easy to empathize with; his tortured Pitezel deftly oscillates between wanting to make sure his family is cared for, falling in love with Emeline Cigrand, and being wracked with guilt over the atrocities he helps Holmes commit. Rounding out the cast are Brittney S. Wheeler as Holmes\u2019 fist victim, the melancholic Lizzie Sommers; Eric Curtis Johnson as the stoic Detective Geyer; and Erica Hanrahan-Ball and Ashley Diane as the tragic Julia Conner and her daughter, Pearl.<\/p>\nPhoto: Jessica Sherman Photography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nRyan Johnson\u2019s original music for Deadly<\/em> is full of great songs that show off the inner mind of the characters, and set an ominous tone. With heavy use of a violin and cello, the score creates a lingering sense of dread and unease, even when allowing for beautiful harmonies among the singers. While Allan, McIntyre and Johnson don\u2019t have epic solos stretching their ranges, they are more than capable in their musical abilities. Unquestionably, Deadly<\/em>\u2019s music is carried by the women: Evelyn\u2019s soprano soars into the rafters during \u201cFerris Wheel,\u201d while Merriman\u2019s exceptionally low alto flexes in \u201cLight a Fire.\u201d Wheeler has the bulk of the singing, her desperation and sadness shining through the lyrics. While performed exceptionally well, \u201cThe Southern Way\u201d and \u201cMinnie and Anna\u201d feel somewhat out of place, as the two numbers are upbeat and rather comedic in the midst of a tragedy. However, this might be intentional to lighten the mood after some rather morbid scenes.<\/p>\nPhoto: Jessica Sherman Photography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nDeadly<\/em> follows in the footsteps of gothic musicals like Sweeney Todd<\/em> and Jekyll and Hyde<\/em>, but explores the difficult subject matter in a thoughtful way. Presenting the piece from the victims\u2019 perspectives shines a light on forgotten and disbelieved women, which is still an issue today, and is a welcome departure from glorifying true villains in the form of beloved anti-heroes. With an exceptional cast, and an impressive combination of production design, score and narrative, Deadly<\/em> provides a powerful, thrilling, and moving experience for audiences.<\/p>\nPhoto: Jessica Sherman Photography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nDeadly<\/em> runs at the Broadwater<\/a> Main Stage through November 2nd; purchase tickets here<\/a>. Find out more information about Sacred Fools on their website<\/a>, Instagram<\/a> or Facebook page<\/a>. Make sure to subscribe to our Event Calendar<\/a> for more horror and theatrical experiences throughout the year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Her skirt is a white river, flowing down the staircase. The loose fabric tangles beneath her, and the woman screams as she tumbles into the wooden step. Scrambling to her feet, she reaches the top, and tries doorway after doorway \u2013 one locked, one a kill chamber, one leading to a dead end \u2013 and…<\/p>\n
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