By Jack Houston
V Theater at Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort, 10 p.m. Fri., 11:30 p.m. Sat., $39.99-$59.99 plus tax and fee. 702.260.7200
Have you ever watched The Evil Dead and thought to yourself, “Wouldn’t it be so much better with showtunes?” From stage left arises Evil Dead: The Musical, a 4-D theatrical experience that brings the macabre magic of the 1981 cult classic and its two sequels to the stage.
The story follows a group of college students into a cabin in the woods, where they try to fight off a demonic force with the help of a chain saw—and a few good songs. It’s the rare example of a show that began its existence off-Strip (at the Onyx Theater on Sahara Avenue) and graduated to a more prominent space on Las Vegas Boulevard, mostly thanks to stellar reviews and an influx of Hollywood reboots of classic horror films. (The Evil Dead gets its own remake next year.)
Part of the spectacle of the Evil Dead stage production is the so-called “splatter zone,” a designated section of the audience where blood flies and protective ponchos are prohibited. Casual clothing is recommended for these and all seats, as no one really knows just how far blood will fly. “We cannot guarantee that any seat in the house will be completely safe from spray,” reads the warning. Words to live by.
