Toronto’s own George Reinblatt is quickly establishing himself as one of this country’s hottest comedy writers. Over the past few years, George has written for the likes of John Cleese, Tina Fey, William Shatner, Kelly Ripa, Jason Alexander, Howie Mandel, George Lopez, Jim Belushi, Tom Arnold, Tim Allen, Dame Edna, Craig Ferguson, and many more comedic greats at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal. George has also written for television programs such as Canada’s Walk of Fame and Rick Mercer’s Monday Report. Evil Dead: the Musical is George’s first stage production.
Creative Team
George Reinblatt
Book & Lyrics / Music
Frank Cipolla
Music/ Music Production & Music Supervision
Frank has performed percussion, keyboards & electric bass for more than 15 years while concurrently studying at the Royal Conservatory of Music program. He recently music directed/arranged York University’s Mock Trial Law School Revue and Queen’s Players Toronto’s The Apprentice Bride. Frank’s passion for performing has translated into a talent for arts management. He holds an M.B.A. in Arts & Media Management and has been the General Manager of numerous arts organizations. Frank would like to thank Anne-Katherine Dionne for her musical wisdom and guidance over the years. This is Frank’s first musical.
Melissa Morris
Music
Melissa is a graduate of Queen’s University with a double major in both Music and Theatre. Evil Dead: the Musical is her second musical production, also having composed a musical adaptation of Alice in Wonderland. She is also an actor and singer, performing in Ontario and internationally. Melissa also loves teaching and inspiring young people to perform.
Christopher Bond
Music, Additional Lyrics
He has been developing and directing Evil Dead with his partners since 2002, including the show’s US debut Off-Broadway (nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award for Best New Musical) and its triumphant return to Canada at the Diesel Playhouse (Winner of the 2007 Dora Mavor Moore Audience Choice Award) which also received a Dora nomination for Outstanding Direction of a Musical. Christopher was also a cast member of Tony & Tina’s Wedding at Second City Toronto and directed the horror spectacle FearFest at Paramount’s Canada’s Wonderland.
Ryan Luhning
Artistic Director, Ground Zero Theatre
Ryan has been the Artistic Director of Ground Zero Theatre (GZT) since its inception in 1997. He is an actor, director and producer. His work has been seen on many of Calgary's professional stages and he has been nominated for three Betty Mitchell Awards for Acting.
Favorite theatre credits include: Boy Gets Girl & The Optimists (Theatre Junction), Who's Afraid of Virgina Woolf?, Popcorn, (ATP), Death of a Salesman, Cat On a Hot Tin Roof, Holiday (Theatre Calgary), The Philadelphia Story (Manitoba Theatre Centre), Strangers On a Train, I'll Be Back Before Midnight (Vertigo Mystery Theatre), Travels With My Aunt, My Fair Lady, (Citadel Theatre), Pervert, subUrbia, Looking After Eden, CockTales (GZT).
Ryan was the recipient of the Betty Mitchell Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Lead Role for The Pillowman (GZT / H&M). Most recently Ryan played Robin Hood in The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood at Alberta Theatre Projects.
Ryan lives in Calgary with his wife Carolyn and his two daughters; Grace & Peyton.
Ground Zero Theatre has quickly become an integral part of the theatre community in Calgary. Not only are we "the stage of the future stars" but we are also a leading choice for many professional artists who are looking for a challenge to their own creativity. It is not uncommon to see an actor's biography in a Theatre Calgary or Alberta Theatre Projects program to include a GZT credit.
Deitra Kalyn
Costume Design
Deitra is bloody excited to be apart of this unlivley project, and could not think of a better company to be working with to finish the season. Past credits with Ground Zero Theatre and Hit and Myth Productions include THE LIEUTENANT OF INNISHMORE, COCKTALES ('07 and '08), and JOHN DOE JACK RABBIT. Selected credits include THE MOUSETRAP, AN INSPECTOR CALLS, WAIT UNTIL DARK, MURDER IN GREEN MEADOWS, A PARTY TO MURDER (Vertigo Mystery Theatre), DOUBT, HUMBLE BOY-apprentice (Theatre Calgary & Manitoba Theatre Centre), ONE FLEA SPARE, FROZEN, THE DAZZLE (Sage), SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER and THE GIFT OF THE COAT (Mount Royal College), TORNADO MAGNET, WITH A TWIST, HIDDEN IN THIS PICTURE and HOPE AND FURY (Lunchbox), POLITIKO (Ghost River), THE PROPHECY OF SHRI (Quest Theatre), BUDDY HOLLY (Stage West). Big thanks to all the help that made this show possible and amazing! Enjoy the splatter!!!
Joel Cochrane
Artistic Producer, Hit & Myth Productions
Joel is the Artistic Producer of Hit & Myth Productions (H&M). Producing credits include CockTales (November 2007, co-produced with Ground Zero Theatre (GZT)), The Full Monty (Sept. 2007, co-pro GZT), The Pillowman (March 2007, co-pro GZT), Jesus Hopped The A Train (Feb 2007, co-pro with GZT and Rogues Theatre), Urinetown, The Musical (Sept. 2006, co-pro GZT).
Joel's recent acting credits include CockTales: The ReTooling, Dinner With Friends, The Full Monty, Man Out Of Joint, Heaven, Ten Minute Play Festival, The Laramie Project and The Lieutenant of Inishmore
Upcoming projects include Evil Dead: The Musical (May/June 2009).
Terry Gunvordahl
Lighting Design
Terry’s recent theatre credits include a new musical at the Toronto Winter Garden Theatre and the lighting design for the Citadel’s production of A LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS and last seasons END DREAM at Theatre Junction. His film credits include the production design of CONVICT COWBOY, BLOOD MONEY and A QUESTION OF PRIVLEDGE. His designs have been nominated for Toronto’s Dora Mavor Moore award, Calgary’s Betty Mitchell award, Edmonton’s Sterling award and the Alberta Motion Picture Industry Association Award. In addition to his stage and film work, Terry is busy creating the designs for the new Blackfoot Gallery at the Glenbow Museum where he designed Faceforward:Six Canadians confront the Millennium.
David Gallo
Set Design
Broadway: REASONS TO BY PRETTY; A CATERED AFFAIR, XANADU; RADIO GOLF (Tony nom.); COMPANY; THE DROWSY CHAPERONE (2006 Tony Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards); GEM OF THE OCEAN (Tony nom.); DROWNING CROW; MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM; DANCE OF THE VAMPIRE; THE SMELL OF THE KILL; THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLE (also London); KING HEDLEY II; EPIC PROPORTIONS; VOICES IN THE DARK; YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN; LITTLE ME; THE LION IN WINTER; A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE; MORE TO LOVE; JACKIE: AN AMERICAN LIFE (also London); and HUGHIE. Off-Broadway: THE THIRD STORY; EVIL DEAD, SHOUT!, THE WILD PARTY; JITNEY (also London); WONDER OF THE WORLD; A NEW BRAIN; BUNNY BUNNY: JAR THE FLOOR; MACHINAL; and BLUE MAN GROUP (NYC, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas). International: DER SCHUH DES MANITU, ICH WAR NOCH NIEMALS IN NEW YORK, THE WIZ, and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST FOR STAGE ENTERTAINMENT as well as SPONGEBOB SQUARE PANTS and CINDERELLA for Broadway Asia. Mr. Gallo is the recipient of numerous awards including Drama Desk, American Theatre Wing, Lucille Lortel, Hewes Design, Outer Critics Circle, Ovation, FANY, NAACP, AUDELCO, Barrymore and Eddy Awards and nominations. He was selected to represent American set design at The Cooper-Hewitt Design Triennial and is a recipient of the Obie Award for Sustained Excellence in Set Design. His work is part of the national archive at The Smithsonian Institute.
Glenda Stirling
Choreographer
Glenda Stirling is delighted to be back at Ground Zero Theatre again! She has worked with GZT as a playwright and director, but this is her first time as a choreographer and now also working with Hit & Myth Productions. Glenda is a Calgary-based freelance director, playwright, choreographer and movement instructor at Mount Royal College. Currently she is completing an MFA in Theatre Studies at the University of Calgary, focusing on Laban Movement Analysis. For GZT: THE MERCY SEAT, BLUE SURGE Elsewhere: UNITY 1918, RABBIT HOLE, VINCENT IN BRIXTON, GET AWAY (Alberta Theatre Projects), MUSIC FOR A CONTORTIONIST (Sage Theatre), WAIT UNTIL DARK (Vertigo Mystery Theatre), LILLIBET (Ship's Company Theatre), COME FLY WITH ME, CHEEK TO CHEEK (Lunchbox Theatre), DOLPHIN TALK (Betty Mitchell award – choreography - Quest Theatre). In 2004 Glenda participated in the Shaw Festival's Directors Program, where she assistant directed on THREE SISTERS, THE PLOUGH AND THE STARS, and THE ROYAL FAMILY and directed Noel Coward's WAYS AND MEANS. The following year she returned to assistant direct & choreograph FLOYD COLLINS for The Shaw. She has also choreographed for Springboard Dance and everything she directs – so it is very exciting not have to do both at once!
Brent Rock
Musical Director
Brent is thrilled and chilled to be a part of EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL. He has been involved with the Calgary Musical Theatre scene since 1996 and his many credits include: MID LIFE THE CRISIS MUSICAL, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, A CLOSER WALK WITH PATSY CLINE, NUNSENSE*, FOREVER PLAID*, I DO I DO, THE LAST RESORT (Stage West Calgary); I DO, I DO (Theatre in Port); STAGE FRIGHT, MARRY ME A LITTLE, THE DIARIES OF ADAM & EVE, A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING*, THE BEST OF THE WEST END, A SIDE OF SONDHEIM (Lunch Box Theatre); THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD (Vertigo Mystery Theatre); FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (St. Mary’s University College); URINETOWN THE MUSICAL (Central Memorial). Brent currently resides in beautiful Water Valley, Alberta with his partner Wayne and their beloved Fox Terrier Chelsea. * Betty Mitchell Award Nomination
Sean Bowie
Assistant Director
Way back in the early 80's I remember seeing Evil Dead on Alan Logan's VHS player and being actually scared as hell. Never in a million years could I have suspected that more than a few years later I would be involved in a musical based on that scary movie - Gotta love the theatre! Look for Sean in the Calgary Fringe this summer in DRUNKEN FUCKER (Ground Zero Theatre).
Thanks for the gig Ryan & Joel.
Kevin McKendrick
Director
This is Kevin’s fourth production with Ground Zero Theatre/Hit and Myth Productions having previously directed URINETOWN THE MUSICAL (with Mark Bellamy), THE PILLOWMAN, and THE FULL MONTY. Kevin works as a freelance director and producer; as well as teaching acting at Mount Royal College. Selected directing credits include: FROZEN (Sage Theatre), THE MERRY ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (ATP), GLENN (Blacklist), BOY GETS GIRL, THE GOOD LIFE, and ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD (Theatre Junction), and OEDIPUS (Pumphouse Theatres). His productions of URINETOWN THE MUSICAL, BOY GETS GIRL, and THE GOOD LIFE were all honored with Betty Mitchell Awards for Outstanding Production. Kevin has also worked at Persephone Theatre (Saskatoon), Western Canada Theatre (Kamloops), Fringe Theatre Adventures (Edmonton) and Damfino Theatre (Vancouver). Kevin will next direct EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL also for Ground Zero Theatre/Hit and Myth Productions. Kevin would like to thank his partner Leslie for all of her love and support during this crazy winter of activity.
Assistant Stage Manager
Emma Brager
EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL is Emma Brager’s fifth show with Ground Zero Theatre and Hit & Myth Productions, and she could not be more thrilled to be making this crazy, blood-soaked mess with such exciting and insanely talented people. Some favorite past stage management credits include, THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE, COCKTALES – 2008, WRITER’S BLOCK (all as ASM), and TROUT STANLEY (GZT/H&M), QUEEN LEAR (Urban Curvz), SHERLOCK HOLMES – THE FINAL ADVENTURE (Vertigo Mystery Theatre, as Apprentice SM)), MID-LIFE: THE CRISIS MUSICAL (Stage West Calgary, as Apprentice SM), OEDIPUS TYRANNOS, ANTIGONE, THE CHAIRS, and A HARD HEART (University of Calgary, Drama Department). Emma is immensely thankful for her understanding and supportive family, her excellent friends, and her patient and loving guy-with-the-gun, Bart. Enjoy the splatter!
Ruby Dawn Eustaquio
Assistant Stage Manager
Ruby Dawn previous Ground Zero Theatre and Hit & Myth Productions credits include: WRITER’S BLOCK, THE FULLY MONTY and THE PILLOWMAN. Ground Zero credits: TABITHA: A GIRL AND HER BOX, DOUGH: POLITICS OF MARTH STWEART, THE MERCY SEAT, JOHN DOE / JACK RABBIT, OLEANNA and ILLEGAL ENTRY. Other credits from this season are: FAUST (Calgary Opera), AN INSPECTOR CALLS and COLUBO TAKES THE RAP (Vertigo Mystery Theatre). THE HIGHEST STEP IN THE WORLD (ATP playRites, platform play), and BUT THIS IS MY DAY JOB (Forte Musical Theater Guild). Ruby Dawn is also a member of the cast and crew of DIRTY LAUNDRY.
Amy Lippold
Stage Manager
Amy is delighted to be back with the Ground Zero Theatre and Hit & Myth Productions gang for the musical madness of EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL. Favorite Credits include: Stage Manager: THE MERRY ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD, UNITY (1918), THE DROWNING GIRLS, OLIVER TWIST, WHY FREUD FAINTED (ATP), PRINCESS OF THE STARS (Patria Opera), PHAEDRA, DIDO & AENEAS (The Banff Centre) LITTLE MERCY'S FIRST MURDER (GZT), BAT BOY THE MUSICAL, GODZILLA, MARABOU STORK NIGHTMARES (Mob Hit Productions). As ASM: THE FULL MONTY, URINETOWN THE MUSICAL (GZT/Hit & Myth), PETER PAN, PLAYRITES '06, 2 PIANOS 4 HANDS, STONES IN HIS POCKETS (ATP), FILUMENA (Banff Centre & Edmonton Opera), THE BARBER OF SEVILLE, ARIADNE AUF NAXOS, TOSCA, THE BALLAD OF BABY DOE, CARMEN, THE MAGIC FLUTE (Calgary Opera) and as Rehearsal Coordinator for THE EROTIC ANGUISH OF DON JUAN (Old Trout Puppet workshop/ATP). Amy would like to thank all the bloody fantastic folk of Ground Zero Theatre and Hit & Myth Productions and the wonderful cast & crew!!
Bleeding Art Industries
Effects Supervision
Coming Soon!
Ryan Luhning, Ground Zero Theatre and Joel Cochrane, Hit & Myth Productions
