Five college students visit an abandoned cabin in the woods and accidentally unleash an evil force that turns them all into demons. It’s up to Ash (a housewares employee, turned demon-killing hero), and his trusty chainsaw to save the day.
That’s the premise for Evil Dead The Musical, the wildly entertaining adaptation of the cult-classic horror comedy film which bursts onto Alberta Theatre Projects’ (ATP) stage later this month (just in time for the Halloween season). Pure comedy from start to finish, Evil Dead The Musical is unlike any other live show out there. Audiences can expect outrageous laughs, unforgettable musical numbers, over-the-top gore, and a thrilling theatrical experience.
In anticipation of Evil Dead The Musical hitting the Martha Cohen Theatre stage, we’ve got 5 groovy reasons to get pumped for this iconic show and ATP’s upcoming production:
1. Over 500 productions and counting
In August 2003, Evil Dead The Musical made its debut in a small bar in Toronto called the Tranzac Club. It quickly became a cult sensation, with people lining up around the block to see it. (“Not only because they heard how fantastic it was, but also because the production was too cheap to have a formal ticketing system,” the show’s official website cheekily adds.) It then opened in Montreal as a featured attraction at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in 2004, before making its off-Broadway debut in New York in 2006.
The show returned to Toronto where it played for over 300 consecutive performances at the Diesel Playhouse, becoming the longest running Canadian show in Toronto in over two decades, and winning the Dora Audience Choice Award as Toronto’s Favourite Show. The show has since played all over the world, including runs in Korea, Spain and Las Vegas—and 3 North American tours. The show is critically acclaimed as well, receiving rave reviews across the years from The New York Times, The Globe and Mail, The Hollywood Reporter, The New York Post, Variety Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Maxim Magazine, MTV and more. The last time it was produced in Calgary was in 2012 by Hit & Myth Productions, and ATP cannot wait to bring the show back to YYC.
2. Evil Dead The Musical: Kandarian AND… Canadian?
Most people have heard of the famous cult-classic horror comedy film franchise, but did you know that its musical adaptation is Canadian? The show’s co-creators include Canadian artists George Reinblatt (book and lyric writer, co-composer), Frank Cipolla, Christopher Bond, and Melissa Morris (co-composers). The musical’s official website proudly states:
“Most would have looked at the Evil Dead films, and never thought they could be combined into a musical… but that didn’t stop a group of ambitious young Canadians from giving it a try.”
George Reinblatt (left) has written for television for networks such as Comedy Central, NBC, CTV, CBC and MuchMusic, and has written multiple Comedy Central Roasts. He has also written comedy for the likes of Steve Martin, Seth Rogen, Snoop Dogg, Martha Stewart, Kevin Hart, John Cleese, Kelly Ripa, Blake Griffin, Jewel, Steve-O, Joan Rivers, plus many more.
3. Artistic Director Swap
Evil Dead The Musical is directed by Jennifer Brewin, who is also Artistic Director of the Globe Theatre in Regina. ATP is producing Evil Dead The Musical in association with the Globe Theatre, and the show will travel to Regina in the Spring. But at the same time Brewin directs Evil Dead here in Calgary, ATP Artistic Director Haysam Kadri is in Regina at the Globe Theatre directing the first production of their 2026-27 Season, Mosque Heist by CBC’s Little Mosque on the Prairie writer Zarqa Nawaz!
A multi-award-winning director and theatre artist, ATP is thrilled to have Jennifer Brewin at the helm of Evil Dead The Musical. Prior to moving to Regina and the Globe, Brewin was the Co-Artistic Director of Toronto’s Common Boots Theatre and before that, Co-Artistic Director of B.C.’s Caravan Farm Theatre. Amongst a myriad of other writing and co-creation credits, Brewin co-created the Canadian theatre mainstay, The Attic, the Pearls and Three Fine Girls.
4. Up close and personal—Onstage Splatter Zone
ATP is excited to be offering 24 Splatter Zone seats for each performance of Evil Dead The Musical… onstage. Splatter Zone ticket holders will get the ultimate Evil Dead experience, enjoying the hilarious chaos from their seats onstage, and getting even bloodier in the process! (A complimentary poncho is included with every ticket purchase.) The Splatter Zone is currently sold out, but Splatter Zone enthusiasts are encouraged to check ATP’s website for potential cancellations and added seats.
5. Evil Dead The Musical on the Billboard Charts
The Evil Dead The Musical original off-Broadway cast album debuted at #4 on the Billboard Charts for Top Cast Albums in 2007. Featuring iconic songs like "What the F**k Was That?" and "All the Men in My Life Keep Getting Killed by Kandarian Demons", the cast recording is a toe-tapping, head-bopping and hilarious listen. The album is currently available to listen to on many music streaming services—check it out!
(Number 1 that week? The original Broadway cast album of Wicked… it's 70th week on the charts!)
Evil Dead The Musical runs at Alberta Theatre Projects from October 13 – November 14 in the Martha Cohen Theatre at Werklund Centre. For tickets, visit albertatheatreprojects.com or call our Ticket Office at 403-294-7402 (Hours: 10:00am-4:00pm MT, Monday-Friday).