"I do things the Jersey way, so there’s only one thing to say. I'm just a Jersey gal, a feisty femme fatale. I'll be living on a prayer."
As much as I’d like to pretend that these words have been lifted from yours truly’s autobiography, I’m obligated to tell you that they are the lyrics from the song “Jersey Girl” of the criminally underrated (this author’s opinion) musical “The Toxic Avenger.” With a book by Joe DiPietro, scribe of such works as “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” “Memphis,” and “Nice Work If You Can Get It” and music by David Bryan who is perhaps best known as the keyboardist for the band Bon Jovi, the musical is based on a 1984 film of the same name and it just screams New Jersey. Understand that I mean this in the best way possible.
DiPietro and Bryan are Jersey boys themselves and this show makes sure to deliver plenty of good-natured ribbing at the expense of the state we call home. After all, its premise largely relies on the fact that New Jersey is simply a dumping ground for New York’s toxic waste. Thankfully, the state of “haters,” as established by our own New Jersey X account, can laugh at itself.
While the show was first produced in 2008 by George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, NJ it then traveled to the New World Stages in New York City before taking off on a US tour followed by productions in Australia and Europe. Sixteen years later it has now made its way back to the Garden State gracing the South Camden Theatre Company stage in, you guessed it, Camden, NJ. Directed by Joel Guerrero and starring Andrew Bozzelli as the titular character Toxie (Melvin), Neena Boyle as the Mayor and more, Shannon Sullivan as Sarah the Blind Librarian, with William R. McHattie and James Joseph Edward Jesberge Jr. rounding out the cast, this production will mark South Camden Theatre Company’s first ever musical.
We can thank SCTC Artistic Director, Dawn Varava for bringing a musical to the space for the first time. Likening the show to a combination of two of her favorites, “Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “Young Frankenstein,” Varava raves about the humor of this production. A departure from the more serious plays of this season, she acknowledges the polarity between shows. “The cast themselves look like they’re having so much fun that you can’t help but have fun as well and I hope the audience finds that fun and just laughs and laughs with us.”
The Toxic Avenger himself, Andrew Bozzelli, radiates joy as he explains his love for this production. “One thing that I was really excited for with this show is that it’s less well-known. It’s almost like a blank slate in that way. It feels like we are creating, in the truest sense of that term.” It is evident in speaking to Andrew and his costar Neena, who has the distinct pleasure of playing three characters and sometimes two at once, that this cast truly enjoys one another.
Neena confirms as much saying, “This cast is absolutely unbelievable. We are having the most fun playing and finding the moments with each other. I’m really excited to be making history for this company while having so much fun!”
And if you’re wondering what kind of music can convey a satirical environmental message, consider a Bon Jovi catalog injected with show tunes and the comic wit of a deeply jaded Jerseyan. While the show touches on the dangers of mistreating our planet, it certainly doesn’t feel like a lecture. Rather, the musical is camp to its core, honoring the cult classic film that bears its name. It leads with humor and rock and roll music. If you happen to see it as a parable, so be it.
Varava brought this script to the SCTC board in the hopes that it would be a feasible undertaking for a theater that had not yet waded into the musical space. They had to consider cast size and design as musicals tend to be grand in nature and their space is compact in stature. Boasting a stage of twenty-five feet across and fifteen feet deep, the space requires a bit of ingenuity but once the board had fallen in love with the script, they were determined to make it work. SCTC Board President and subsequent Scenic Designer for “The Toxic Avenger,” Robert Bingaman, rose to the challenge to design a space that set the scene for the unlikely, attractively challenged hero, Toxie. "We had to find someplace to put the musicians, but it was a little bit of a challenge! We built a second level with the main action happening below” says Bingaman.
Leading cast of Toxic Avenger. Photo Courtesy of South Camden Theatre Company.
Both cast and crew have been relatively coy in describing the show, not wanting to give too much away. Having seen the show in its early years, this author respects the element of surprise. However, it is a fair warning to say that it would behoove audiences to be prepared for anything. By that I mean, you may want to leave the little ones, or anyone offended by a PG-13 type rating, at home.
As director Joel Guerrero puts it, “this is a great parents' night out, date night kind of thing. Have grandma and grandpa watch the kids. Take your spouse, your significant other out and get ready to laugh. I think in today’s world, especially with elections going on and everything, we need a place where we can leave it all at the door and, as a group, laugh and have a great time and enjoy wonderful vocalists singing hilarious music. This is that opportunity, this is the place to do that. The cast is phenomenal. The set is phenomenal. It’s all around a great show.”
Neena Boyle adds, “I think it’s more fun when you go in blind for something like this. I would just say, be prepared to have a good time. Strap in and enjoy the ride.”
Making an important point, Guerrero continues, “I don’t think Camden understands the gem that they have in their backyard. This is my third show to direct here and my fourth to work with, and I just wish that more people from the area would come out and give it a chance. It really is a true gem to have this level of artistic excellence in your backyard. Why not take advantage of it.”
As an added bonus, Camden residents benefit from a $5 admission price, thanks to a grant from Holman Enterprises. The theatre encourages its local residents to take advantage of this discount! The standard ticket price for anyone living outside of Camden is $25 however there are group and industry discounts available as well for $15. Make it a fun night out with friends and save some money!
For those worrying about Camden’s reputation, the South Camden Theater Company team would like to assuage your concerns. Bingaman, a local, calls Camden “a beautiful place to live” and encourages others unfamiliar with the area to make the journey to discover it for themselves. Even more so, he encourages locals to experience live theater around the corner from home.
Verava wants you to know “that where we are is safe and it’s a lovely theater. Camden is a place that people seem afraid to go to but when people do come here, to our theater, the first thing they say is ‘Oh my god, this is a beautiful theater! You guys are wonderful. This is great!’ and then they bring more people!”
“The Toxic Avenger” runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM beginning September 20th through September 29th at the Waterfront South Theatre in Camden. Click here for ticket information.
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