![\"Toxic](\"https:\/\/Becomeimmersed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Who-Will-save-NJ.jpeg\")
BoomStick Theater\u2019s The Toxic Avenger: The Musical<\/em> is a traditional (seated) musical theatrical production that is loosely based on the 1984 cult classic directed by Lloyd Kaufman. Admittedly, I have not seen the film in years, but prior knowledge is not essential to enjoying the musical. The show, which originally premiered off-Broadway in 2008, seems to have streamlined the story and characters to make room for the songs. Even with the changes, BoomStick\u2019s show packs enough camp and silliness into its hour-and-a-half run time that fans of the ridiculous film should be pleased.<\/p>\nThe neon green toxic waste bubbles and burps in the vat, nerdy Melvin lost beneath the surface. Melvin\u2019s attackers peer over the rim of the vat, making sure he\u2019s no longer a threat. Satisfied, they turn their attentions elsewhere until a monstrous roar stops them in their tracks. One deformed hand after another emerges from…<\/p>\n![\"Toxic](\"https:\/\/Becomeimmersed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Bullies-Get-Melvin.jpeg\")
Toxic Avenger<\/em>\u2019s plot keeps it simple: nerdy boy falls for blind girl; boy tries to woo girl by stopping the toxic waste dump in their town; boy gets thrown in a vat of toxic waste resulting in superhuman strength and an overwhelming urge for revenge; boy goes on murdering spree to try and save the planet and get the girl. From the get-go, Toxic Avenger<\/em> creates an environmentalist moral foundation from which it builds upon. Toxie, the nerdy boy after his unfortunate transformation, encapsulates the damage toxic waste can do to humans, both in his physical deterioration as well as him being the weapon inadvertently created to punish the people culpable. Respect the Earth and She will not facilitate the creation of an entity to avenge Her.<\/p>\n![\"Toxic](\"https:\/\/becomeimmersed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/TOXIE-.jpeg\")
In addition to the obvious eco-friendly moral throughout Toxic Avenger<\/em>, the show also succeeds in encouraging acceptance. Melvin\/Toxie is not what some might call good-looking or desirable, but as blind love interest Sarah knows, he has a big heart and winning personality. Through Sarah\u2019s disgust at what Melvin\/Toxie looks like when she touches his face, audiences empathize with Melvin\/Toxie\u2019s plight \u2013 as joked by Melvin\u2019s frustrated mother, \u201cIf blind people won\u2019t love ugly people, who will?\u201d Thankfully, Sarah eventually comes to realize that Toxie\u2019s oozing eyeball doesn\u2019t detract from him as a person and loves him for who he is inside, instead of rebuffing the green creature he is on the outside.<\/p>\n![\"Toxic](\"https:\/\/Becomeimmersed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Mayor-BellGoddy.jpeg\")
The production design of Toxic Avenger<\/em> is simple and smartly allows ample space for the performers to sing and dance, for Toxie to chase down his victims, and for the talented live band (led by Andrew Heath). The tables, chairs and such easily stack or tuck away, leaving the stage mostly bare for the more physical scenes, but add just enough accoutrement when used to set the locations. The stacked background also adds to the idea that the town of Tromaville is a trash heap and not somewhere anyone would want to live. The costumes and wigs are easily shrugged off by actors making quick changes \u2013 which they often do as several play multiple roles \u2013 and delineate the characters nicely. The Toxie costume and mask impressively turn Melvin into a creature quickly and without the actor having to wear full-body prosthetics. Truth being, Toxic Avenger<\/em> doesn\u2019t need a lot of bells and whistles; it\u2019s charming all on its own.<\/p>\n![\"Toxic](\"https:\/\/becomeimmersed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Ma-Ferd.jpeg\")
Imagine a group of middle-schoolers or teenagers putting on a musical full of silly violence and gross-out humor aimed at making everyone laugh. Now add the talent and charisma of seasoned musical theater professionals. That\u2019s roughly where you\u2019ll find the performers of The Toxic Avenger: The Musical<\/em>. With only five main cast members and one floating ensemble member, director Kevin Wetmore requires his actors to do some heavy lifting \u2013 and they decidedly deliver. Loic Suberville is superb as dorky Melvin and hideous Toxie. My favorite moment is his song, \u201cYou Tore My Heart Out.\u201d Suberville\u2019s strong, raspy vocals and grounded emotionality absolutely shine during his heartrending love song; he commands the stage with his vulnerability. Lennon Hobson is sweet as candy as Sarah, the blind librarian Melvin falls for. Hobson, also the choreographer, gets to show of her dancing ability during the cheeky \u201cChoose Me, Oprah.\u201d Rachel Rios plays the dual roles of the evil and sexy Mayor Belgoody and Melvin\u2019s disappointed mother with astounding energy, even singing a duet as both characters! Rounding out the cast and playing many different roles \u2013 all hilarious \u2013 are Huck Walton and Quinton Guyton. Walton is one to watch, as he creates funny moments with just his facial expressions. Guyton\u2019s smooth voice adds extra sensuality to his duet with Rios, \u201cEvil is Hot.\u201d Together, the frenetic energy the performers create is just deliciously infectious as they dance, sing, bounce between characters, and adjust to cue issues (sure to be ironed out with more performances).<\/p>\n![\"Toxic](\"https:\/\/Becomeimmersed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/CSI-GUYS.jpeg\")
The BoomStick Theater aims to produce lesser known works on the stage and they\u2019ve done an amazing job with The Toxic Avenger: The Musical<\/em>. They had me laughing and grinning ear to ear, as well as close to tears \u2013 an incredible feat for a small theater company taking on a campy Troma musical. From the live onstage band to the multiple lightning-speed costume changes to the talent of the cast to the Tetris-like set and props, Toxic Avenger<\/em> is an endearing musical where the audience is just as much in on the joke as the creators and performers \u2013 an absolutely delightful time at the theater!<\/p>\n![\"Toxic](\"https:\/\/Becomeimmersed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Oprah-Girls.jpeg\")
Toxic Avenger: The Musical<\/em> has concluded its run. Find out more about BoomStick Theater and their upcoming productions on their website<\/a>, Instagram<\/a> and Facebook page<\/a>. Make sure to subscribe to our Event Calendar<\/a> for more musicals and horror entertainment throughout the year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"