EVIL DEAD, THE MUSICAL Returns to Trustus Theatre for Halloween

What could possibly go wrong when five college kids break into an abandoned, secluded cabin in the woods, especially when nobody else knows where they are? Find out at Trustus Theatre this October as the hit show Evil Dead, The Musical returns to the Thigpen Main Stage. Evil Dead, The Musical will run from Friday, October 27 through Saturday, November 11, 2017. Tickets may be purchased at www.trustus.org, or by calling the Trustus Box Office at 803-254-9732.

Audiences went crazy over the Trustus production in 2014, and have been asking for it ever since. Three years later, they're bringing back this hilarious live stage show along with several of the original cast members. This show takes all of the elements of the cult classic films, The Evil Dead, Evil Dead 2, and Army of Darkness and combines them for one of the craziest theatrical experiences of all time. Five college students go to an abandoned cabin in the woods, and accidentally unleash an evil force that turns them all into demons. It's all up to Ash (a housewares employee turned demon-killing hero), and his trusty chainsaw to save the day. Blood flies. Limbs are dismembered. Demons tell really bad jokes, and it is all set to music. The songs in the show are completely off the wall with titles like "All the Men in My Life Keep Getting Killed by Candarian Demons" and "What the F**k Was That?" The show is pure comedy and will have audiences laughing and screaming for more and more blood.

The book and lyrics of Evil Dead, The Musical were written by George Reinblatt and the music was written by George Reinblatt, Christopher Bond, Melissa Morris, and Frank Cipolla. Trustus Theatre's Artistic Director, Chad Henderson, is the director and the Music Direction will be provided by RAndy Moore.

"We had so much fun producing Evil Dead, The Musical in 2014, and the company members who were in the original production were hinting that they were ready to do it again," said Henderson. "It's also one of those productions that people ask us about a lot. So-it's back on our main stage just in time for Halloween. Evil Dead is pure fun, and it's also a musical that could only be produced by Trustus Theatre here in Columbia. At Trustus we like producing thoughtful and meaningful works, but sometimes we just need a laugh. Evil Dead is the perfect prescription for folks looking for a break from our political landscape. We're having an incredible time re-working this piece. We've got four new cast members coming on board with four of our original cast members, we've changed the scenic design a bit, and we're reimagining some of the effects."

Katie Leitner, who will be stepping into the role of Cheryl for the first time, says, "There is a balance you have to find between honoring what made the original production successful and making the role your own. The cast and our director have been great in helping us find that balance. Without giving anything away, I think that the production quality has been amped up with regards to blood, sound, and set effects. If you decide to spend your Halloween season with us, you can be sure that you will be in for a few tricks but most definitely a treat!"

Join Trustus Theatre for a Zombie Block Party outside of the theatre on Lady Street on Friday, October 27 from 6pm - 7:30pm before the opening of Evil Dead, The Musical. Local food truck, Wurst Wagon, will be in attendance in addition to happy hour drinks in the Trustus Theatre bar (Happy Hour lasts from 6-7pm), music by DJ Preach Jacobs, zombie face-painting, and plenty of fun. There will also be a costume contest-come dressed in your best zombie attire!

Evil Dead, The Musical will run from Friday, October 27 - Saturday, November 11, 2017 and tickets are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Trustus Theatre Box Office at 803-254-9732 or online at trustus.org. Opening night is Friday, October 27, at 8pm. The performances following are on Saturday, October 28, at 8pm; Sunday, October 29, at 3pm; Tuesday, October 31, at 7:30pm; Wednesday, November 1, at 7:30pm; Thursday, November 2, at 7:30pm; Friday, November 3, at 8pm; Saturday, November 4, at 8pm; Sunday, November 5, at 3pm; Tuesday, November 7, at 7:30pm; Wednesday, November 8, at 7:30pm; Thursday, November 9, at 7:30pm; Friday, November 10, at 8pm; and Saturday, November 11, at 2pm (matinee) and 8pm.

Evil Dead, The Musical is sponsored by the University of South Carolina Department of Sport and Entertainment Management.