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The Toxic Avenger Moves Next Door To Orbital Comics

Just back from my weekly trip to Orbital Comics to discover that the Toxic Avenger musical play has moved next door. Which is rather clever placement by someone.

The Toxic Avenger Moves Next Door To Orbital Comics

The Toxic Avenger is a rock musical based on the 1984 film of the same name. The book of the musical was written by Joe DiPietro, its music by David Bryan, and both wrote the lyrics. The musical was first produced under the direction of John Rando at George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, New Jersey and opened after previews on October 10th 2008. The title role of Melvin Ferd the Third/The Toxic Avenger went to Nick Cordero. Audra Blaser played Sarah, and Nancy Opel played Mayor Babs Belgoody and Ma Ferd. It received a generally favorable press.

The New York City premiere opened at New World Stages on April 6, 2009. The New York Times called the production "exuberantly silly", while New York Post called it "hilariously funny". The show opening night cast included Sara Chase, Nick Cordero, Demond Green, Matthew Saldivar and Nancy Opel. Erin Leigh Peck and Nicholas Rodriguez are the original understudies. The musical closed on January 2nd 2010 after over 300 performances, as the production left for a tour across the United States.

Last year, the first production in Europe opened at the Southwark Playhouse in London. The production began in April 2016 for a limited run of 5 weeks, played at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and has now transferred to the Arts Theatre in London's West End, where it will run until December 3rd.  Mark Anderson, Hannah Grover, Lizzii Hills, Marc Pickering and Ashley Samuels starred in the musical produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment in association with the King's Head Theatre, Guy James and Szpiezak Productions.

And very handy for going to see and picking up your comics. Ex-Bleeding Cool contributor Frazer Brown is also one of the producers of the UK version of the show, though he is currently on paternity leave (congrats!)

I may have to pop along myself some time…


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Rich JohnstonAbout Rich Johnston

Founder of Bleeding Cool. The longest-serving digital news reporter in the world, since 1992. Author of The Flying Friar, Holed Up, The Avengefuls, Doctor Who: Room With A Deja Vu, The Many Murders Of Miss Cranbourne, Chase Variant. Lives in South-West London, works from Blacks on Dean Street, shops at Piranha Comics. Father of two. Political cartoonist.
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