Theater News

Hinton Battle to Co-Direct Evil Dead: The Musical at New World Stages

Hinton Battle
(© Joseph Marzullo/Retna)
Hinton Battle
(© Joseph Marzullo/Retna)

Evil Dead: The Musical, a new show based on Sam Raimi’s series of 1980s horror films, will begin preview performances at New World Stages on October 2 and is scheduled to open officially on November 1. It will be co-directed by Chistopher Bond and Tony Award winner Hinton Battle, who will also choreograph the production.

The show has a book and lyrics by George Reinblatt, music by Bond, Reinblatt, Frank Cipolla, and Melissa Morris. The creative team is led by Tony Award winner David Gallo (sets), Cynthia Nordstrom (costumes), Jason Lyons (lighting), Peter Fitzgerald and Kevin Lacy (sound), and Louis Zakarian (makeup and special effects).

The cast consists of Jennifer Byrne, Jenna Coker, Renee Klapmeyer, Amy Shute, Tom Walker, Brandon Wardell, Ryan Williams, and Darryl Winslow.

Battle won three Tony Awards for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Miss Saigon, The Tap Dance Kid, and Sophisticated Ladies. He also starred on Broadway in The Wiz, Chicago, and Dreamgirls. He is the choreographer of the upcoming film Idlewild, starring Outkast, and will be seen as Wayne in the film version of Dreamgirls, scheduled for release later this year.