PMT Staging ‘Evil Dead: The Musical’; Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks’ ‘Twelfth Night: A Tropical Romp at Frick Park (Sun., 9/29/24)

EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL by George Reinblatt, with Christopher Bond, Frank Cipolla, and Melissa Morris contributing in music and Bond in lyrics. Pittsburgh Musical Theater. Through October 20. 

Things get a little ‘choppy’ in PMT’s ‘Evil Dead: The Musical.’ Zanny Laird as Annie and Brett Goodnack as Ash.

1) So far, well over 500 productions of Evil Dead: The Musical have been staged worldwide. Think of what this has required in human terms. Hundreds of talented actors, fluent at using their hands gracefully on stage, had to learn how to play a character whose right hand is replaced by a chainsaw. Yet the role is a coveted one, for Ashley “Ash” Williams is not your average bionic hero. In the Evil Dead films on which the musical is based, he duels with Deadites in settings from the present-day U.S. to medieval Europe. Ash is a complexly flawed hero who bumbles through everyday life, but excels in matters such as fighting the Kandarian Demon. The British cinema magazine Empire ranked him the greatest horror movie character of all time. Pittsburgh Musical Theater—which has presented a few of those 500+ productions—resurrects Evil Dead: The Musical by popular demand. Brett Goodnack stars again as Ash. To add spooky-night atmosphere, the show is in PMT’s roofed outdoor venue. Exuberant audience response is welcome but leave your chainsaws, and children, at home. Preferably not in the same room. 8:30 p.m. West End Canopy, 327 S. Main St., West End. (M.V.)

2) It’s the last day to see Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks presentation of Twelfth Night:  Tropical Romp this September. Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks, now in its 20th season, is a rare treat to behold in our great city parks. Audience members are encouraged to bring a blanket, picnic basket and thermos. For locations, dates and directions, be sure to check out the company’s website. 2 p.m. Frick Park (Blue Slides park entrance, follow signs to performance area). Free, donations encouraged.

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