Though it isn't the first time that a campy horror film has been turned into a campier stage musical, it has been a while since such a treatment has received the kind of reviews that Re-Animator: The Musical is enjoying. Fan sites are a-buzz with excitement, with Dangerous Minds cheering, "The writing is witty and sharp as a knife!" and Entertainment Buff declaring, "the musical version is as faithful an adaptation as a fan could hope for." LAist chimes in by calling it "bloody hilarious," and KCRW asserts it is "what a horror movie would look like if performed by a wildly talented improv comedy troupe. . ."
In the role of earnest matinee hero Dan Cain, Chris L. McKenna scores yet another stage hit by playing it "just straight enough to give you some good notes of heartfelt romance and regret," according to Creepy LA, further adding, "McKenna actually is a better Dan in a lot of ways than the film version, because he really makes it clear that Dan is just this side of being a mad scientist himself." But it's not just the fan sites that are soaking up the gore-drenched hilarity. Variety calls Re-Animator: The Musical, "an entertainment of rich rewards and high accomplishment, " claiming "not since Little Shop Of Horrors has a screamfest tuner so deftly balanced seriousness and camp."
Based on the film H.P. Lovecraft's Re-Animator and directed by Stuart Gordon, Re-Animator: The Musical has been extended through May 29, 2011 at the Steve Allen Theatre, 4773 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90027. Showtimes are Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 8pm. Admission is $25 and reservations can be made by calling 1-800-595-4TIX or by visiting www.SteveAllenTheater.com. For more information on Re-Animator: The Musical, visit www.Re-AnimatorTheMusical.com. Contact Joe Venegas at 714-944-4045 for more details about Chris L. McKenna's involvement with Re-Animator: The Musical, or to set up your own interviews with the actor. For more information on Creative Talent Communications, visit www.ctc-pr.com or www.redmaverick.net.