In 1981, a supernatural horror film was released that would grow to be a pop-culture phenomenon. Titled ‘The Evil Dead’ and written by Sam Raimi in his directorial debut, the movie follows five Michigan State University students as they take up residence in a dodgy cabin in the woods. And if you have seen any classic teen horror flick, you can imagine what happens.
The film’s success led to sequels, a television series and even a stage musical. Yes, Evil Dead The Musical exists and is now playing in Melbourne. Opening at Prahran’s Chapel off Chapel on Friday the 27th of March 2026.
Evil Dead The Musical is set over two acts, with Act I following the events of the first film, and Act II taking on the events of the film’s sequel Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn. Having never seen either of the films, I did some research the night before and watched the original 1981 flick. I was intrigued on how this would be translated to the stage, and well, I was pleasantly surprised!
With Book and lyrics by George Reinblatt, and music by Frank Cipolla, Christopher Bond, Melissa Morris and George Reinblatt, Evil Dead The Musical is set as a rock musical parody of the two films and all your favourite characters are here. The heroic lead of Ash (Harley Dasey) and his girlfriend Linda (Elaina Bianchi), Ash’s sister Cherryl (Emma Wilby), best friend and classic frat boy Scott (Jake Ameduri), and Scott’s date Shelly (Grace Alston). In Act II we have Grace Alston as the daughter of the original cabin owner, Annie, her partner Ed (Oliver Clisdell), and local Jake (Harrison Riley).
Directed and produced by Daniel Stoddart, this new Australian production opens with an introduction to the Book of the Dead. And, after the introduction, the first musical number of ‘Cabin in the Woods‘ is to introduce our five characters. However, due to technical issues, there was a ten-minute show stop whilst the crew sort out the issues with the lighting system. Technical issues happen all the time, the production handled the stop well and the show went on.
When the opening number finally started and our cast appeared on stage, I knew, this production was going to be more than just a comedy! It wasn’t long before I was laughing my ass off as the show makes fun of itself right from the get-go. And if the musical numbers weren’t hilarious enough, the deliberate over-acting by the cast makes it even funnier. The show even makes fun of classical musical theatre tropes and playfully borrows themes from other popular productions.
Evil Dead The Musical is very much like Rocky Horror, but it turns the camp up to 11. Musical numbers like ‘Do the Necronomicon’ is like Thriller and Time Warp had a comedic monster baby. And ‘All the Men in My Life Keep Getting Killed by Kandarian Demons’ in a classic doo-wop style tune that reminded me of Grease.
Each of the musical numbers showcase this insanely talented cast and their mutant vocal skills. Not to mention, their incredible acting that highlight the paradoxical nature of the show. The clear highlight for me would have to be at the end of Act I where Harley Dasey rips into an insane power rock ballad with ‘I’m Not a Killer’. I found myself shaking my head in pure disbelief with how just insanely talented this dude is. And, if that wasn’t enough, we get an instant reprise at the top of Act II that cleverly joins the two halves together.
As you may have already worked out, this cast are phenomenal. Evil Dead The Musical is fast paced, and this stellar cast do not miss a beat. Emma Wilby as Cherryl is hilarious as the Kandarian Demon locked away in the basement. Each time she would slam open the trap door, I was in stitches, and it is clear that Wilby is having the best time playing this role.
Grace Alston is amazing between her two characters. From the ditzy bimbo character of Shelly to the intelligent and strong character of Annie. Alston’s acting is so good that it could have easily been two different actors on stage between both roles. Musically, Alston shines in the second act with her number ‘All the Men in My Life Keep Getting Killed by Kandarian Demons’. Together with co-star Oliver Clisdell as partner Ed, who barely gets a word in, the comedic timing between the two is fantastic. Clisdell gets his own chance to shine with his stellar solo ‘Bit Part Demon’ that cleverly pokes fun at ensemble side characters.
Elaina Bianchi as the classic American sweetheart Linda is great, portraying that sweet innocence wonderfully. But is the complete opposite as the demon persona comes out as the possessed version of Linda. Her chemistry alongside lead Harley Dasey as Ash is fun to watch, both smashing it with their duet ‘Housewares Employee’, where we learn how the couple met with hilarious results.
Jake Ameduri is the perfect meat head, frat boy jock as Scott, who only has one thing on his mind. Ameduri has the ‘bro’ tone of voice locked in! Highlight number would have to be ‘What the F*@k Was That’ alongside co-star Dasey. This number is quite literally what I was thinking after seeing the supernatural aspects take over the show for the first time. But just wait for Ameduri in the second act, returning to the stage for his best Thriller style parody number.
Rounding out the ensemble cast is Harrison Riley as Jake. A local resident that somehow gets roped into the antics taking place in the cabin. His introductory number ‘Good Old Reliable Jake’ is fun. In the second act, Riley alongside co-star Alston as Annie, steal the show with their the over the top, death aria ‘Ode to an Accidental Stabbing’.
Of course, this phenomenal cast wouldn’t be complete without Evil Dead’s favourite character of Ash portrayed by the insanely talented Harley Dasey. This guy is so bloody good (pun intended). Right from the start, Dasey has this chest out, over dramatic, hero persona locked in and doesn’t stop the whole performance. His intentional over acting with his movement, facial expressions and body language bring the paradoxical nature of this show to life. Musically, this bloke is insane! From the camp background singer in ‘All the Men in My Life Keep Getting Killed by Kandarian Demons’ to his vocal lead numbers in ‘Housewares Employee’ and impressive solo ‘I’m Not A Killer’, Dasey’s range is incredible and blew me away! It is almost like this role was written for him. Yes, he is that damn good!
Production wise, Evil Dead The Musical is great and makes use of the intimate Chapel off Chapel space well. The lighting, for the most part, was good. However, it could do without the strobe light, lightning storm intro to Act II. The sound did have its moments with a few mic packs not being switch on in time for actor dialogue, perhaps they were fighting their own demons left over from the technical issues of the show stop at the start.
Overall, Evil Dead The Musical was a pleasant surprise that I am very glad to have seen. I am also glad that I took the time to watch the original 1981 film the night prior, else the plot would have mostly been lost on me. This production is definitely tailored towards those that love this franchise as there are several jokes that I didn’t get, but collectively the audience did. You don’t have to watch the second movie to follow the musical, I only watched the first, but it helps your enjoyment if you have seen both.
There is also a ‘splash zone’ for the first few rows. If you are sitting in these rows, there is a very high chance that you will get splashed with ‘blood’. Theatre staff even handed out ponchos to those sitting in these seats. What made this even more fun, were several patrons that I spotted who deliberately wore white and went without to poncho to get as much ‘blood’ on them as possible, which made for great photos for them afterwards.
Evil Dead The Musical is a great experience for both fans of the franchise and those, like me, that are new to the lore, culture and cult following of The Evil Dead. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at this musical and it is likely going to stay up there as one of the funniest shows I’ll see this year. I even want to go through and watch the second film now!
Proudly produced by Stoddart Entertainment Group, Evil Dead The Musical is performing now at Melbourne’s Chapel off Chapel in a mostly sold-out season until the 12th of April 2026.
For more information and ticketing, visit:
https://evildeadmusical.com.au
https://www.instagram.com/evildeadmusicalau
Photography by Peter Stoop.
