Immaculata’s production of Evil Dead: The Musical leaves the audience begging for more

Published May 17, 2025

Last updated May 17, 2025

12 minute read

Jake, played by Bishop Alan Phyllip Rodriguez (L) and Ash, played by Jeffrey Garcia (R) during Immaculata High School’s Cappies production of Evil Dead: The Musical – High School Version Photo by Alex Budgell /StudentArticle content

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Immaculata High School

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Evil Dead: The Musical – High School Version

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Director: Jillian Budgell

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Chloe Hickson, Critic
Merivale High School

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Nothing says “holiday” like all your friends getting possessed at once while stranded in the middle of nowhere. Immaculata High School’s rendition of Evil Dead: The Musical – High School Version offered insight into one of the rare occasions on which this may occur. A production that was gory, chilling, and camp in the best ways possible!

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Evil Dead: The Musical – High School Version follows Ash and his group of college friends on an overnight getaway in the woods. After breaking into an abandoned cabin, Ash rummages through a cellar and finds an ancient book, referred to as the Necronomicon (Book of the Dead), along with a videotape reciting its contents. After playing the recording, a series of freakish occurrences begin to unfold, commencing with the demonizing of Ash’s sister, Cheryl, and followed by the mass possession of every living and inanimate object within the curse’s parameter. An army of deadites, an assembly of evil entities, decidedly plots to overthrow Ash’s only plan of surviving the night.

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Jeffrey Garcia, in the role of Ash, bestowed a powerhouse performance, with enough energy and vocal fortitude to compensate for all four nights of the showcase! Garcia’s ability to convey enough farcical absurdity to preserve the comedic front and yet just the right amount of realism to keep the audience on their toes was undeniably skillful. Garcia’s vocal range was just as impressive, and the melodic harmonies upheld in “Housewares Employee” were an excellent demonstration of this.

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Talented dancer and vocalist Danica Ianni, in the role of Cheryl, was astonishing to witness. Ianni’s well held execution and grasp of the choreography in “Do the Necronomicon” stood out immediately and graced the stage with aptitude and grandeur. Ianni in “It Won’t Let Us Leave” and “Look Who’s Evil Now” captivated the audience with haunting vocals and stage presence, and Ianni’s use of puns and comedic deliveries throughout the musical left the crowd begging for more!

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Cheryl, played by Danica Ianni during Immaculata High School’s Cappies production of Evil Dead: The Musical – High School Version. Photo by Alex Budgell /StudentArticle content

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An impressive utilization of special effects was seen in ample quantities across the board. In “Good Old Reliable Jake,” a slideshow was organized to accentuate the song’s humorous intent, which landed very well for many in the audience. Additionally, the use of fake blood and other props, such as the chainsaw and shotgun, allowed for the iconic gore aspect of the musical to take off.

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Kudos to the incredible stage management crew, who oversaw and directed every single technical cue effectively, from the multiple sounds to the various lighting presets. The artillery percussionists, Jared Rose and Christopher El-Murr, made for outstanding additions to the pre-selected sound cues, producing live gunshot sound effects that startled the audience more than once!

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The Cabin in the Woods Set Team brought the various set pieces to life, literally. The haunted cabin’s depth of realism was made evident by the continual movement and tossing of windows, picture frames, and accessories along the set walls, encompassing the ghostly and eerie atmosphere of the setting.

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Immaculata High School put on one heck of a production with Evil Dead: The Musical – High School Version. The cast and crew’s involvement with the audience made for a spectacular, engaging experience and showed them all a “bloody” good time!

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Zoe Whitlock, Lead Critic
Colonel By Secondary School

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Splatters of horror, splurts of drama, splashes of comedy. What more could you possibly want in a farcical, campy, horror rock musical? Immaculata High School brought the house down in their groovy performance of Evil Dead: The Musical – High School Version.

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Evil Dead: The Musical, based on the 1980s cult classic film of the same name, follows five college students as they venture to an abandoned cabin in the woods during spring break. Chaos ensues when they discover an old book bound in flesh and written in blood that lets loose a demonic force and turns them one by one into deadites, undead spirits that eat souls. Jam-packed with witty lines, terrible puns, and snarky comebacks, the characters in Evil Dead: The Musical sing, dance, and fight to the death.

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The cast of Immaculata High School expertly handled the campy and farcical nature of the musical. Jeffrey Garcia, in the leading role of Ash, had an infectious energy that was the backbone of the performance. Garcia theatrically overreacted and delivered lines with impeccable comedic timing. Belting out notes and breaking into dance moves was Ash’s snarky sister Cheryl, played by Danica Ianni. Ianni sang Cheryl’s songs with a powerful and soulful voice. Bishop Alan Phyllip Rodriguez was the highlight of the show in the role of Jake. Rodriguez performed the show-stopping number “Good Old Reliable Jake” alongside a projection of the character in unexpected locations doing unconventional things. Together, the cast was animated, melodramatic, and purposeful in their body language, tone of voice, and physicality. From impressive harmonies to overlapping voices creating a counterpoint, incredible vocals were heard from every member of the cast.

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Ash, played by Jeffrey Garcia (L) and Linda, played by Jasmine Champagne (R) during Immaculata High School’s Cappies production of Evil Dead: The Musical – High School Version. Photo by Alex Budgell /StudentArticle content

The Cabin in the Woods Set Team created a set that lived up to their name. The backdrop of the cabin was made of multiple wooden slats spanning the width of the stage, with rustic details like a moose’s head mounted on the wall, a stone fireplace, and chained doors to a basement cellar. Moving effects were built into the set when the moose, the crooked paintings, and the vents danced and sang along to the song “Join Us.” The 28 Props Later Prop Team carefully crafted detailed handmade props, including a shotgun, a chainsaw, and a yellow cutout car. Pants vs. Zombies Costume team sourced, altered, or sewed each costume for the musical. Costumes were carefully designed to reflect each character’s individuality, from Linda’s light blue cardigan and Scott’s leather jacket to Jake’s patched up overalls and Shelly’s cheerleader outfit. When a character turned evil, the costume turned into a mangled, bloodied version of its original and painted zombie masks made of plaster were molded to each actor’s face.

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The music and the choreography worked together to create a vibrant and lively performance. The Dancing Dead Choreographers created simple, Thriller-inspired choreography that emphasized the strengths of the cast in songs like “All the Men in My Life Keep Getting Killed by Candarian Demons” and “Do the Necronomicon.” An improvised electric guitar solo was played by Lucas Malo.

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Evil Dead: The Musical – High School Version was a captivating fever dream of gory bloodshed with a twist of absurdity that left the audience on the edge of their seats.

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Sarah Linn, Lead Critic
Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School

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One would think that it would be common sense to stay away from the abandoned cabin in the woods and to not touch the flesh-bound book… but as Immaculata High School’s production of Evil Dead: The Musical – High School Version showed, some people still need to learn that lesson.

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Five college students embark on a spring break vacation, expecting a week of laughter and fun, though their destination isn’t to a tropical beach or a big city. No, they are headed to an abandoned cabin in the middle of nowhere. Upon arrival, the group discovers a box of strange weapons and an evil-looking book that just so happens to be bound in human flesh. After an incantation from the book is read aloud, the group discovers that some things just can’t be killed and that their spring break isn’t going to be much of a vacation at all.

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Immaculata High School’s production of Evil Dead: The Musical- High School Version. Photo by Alex Budgell /StudentArticle content

Evil Dead: The Musical – High School Version employs a plot that can easily seem familiar, or even overdone, but through animated acting and detailed behind-the-scenes work, Immaculata High School brought a fresh essence to the story.

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Ash, played by Jeffrey Garcia, was everything one would expect from a lead in a splatter-horror. Garcia expertly conveyed the confidence and naivete of Ash in the first act with self-assured body language and animated vocals. As the story went on, though, Garcia subtly developed Ash from an average grocery store employee to a hero who isn’t afraid of zombies, or deadites, as the musical calls them. Garcia worked beautifully with the other actors, and each dynamic felt natural. In the song “Housewares Employee,” Garcia’s impressive vocals blended with Jasmine Champagne’s near-angelic voice to create a duet that was at once comedic and touching.

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Danica Ianni’s Cheryl was the epitome of the doomed smart character in a horror flick. Ianni’s witty comebacks and delivery of Cheryl’s panicked lines conveyed the stress and terror of the character. Once possessed, Ianni’s “evil Cheryl” was at once menacing and amusing, constantly popping out of a trapdoor on the stage to threaten the other characters, or to harass Ash with hilariously awful puns. Ianni’s impressive vocals shone in each song she was featured in, harmonising beautifully with the rest of the cast. Sharp dancing only added to the distinction, all of these elements coming together to create a character that was thoroughly enjoyable to watch.

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28 Props Later Prop Team, the team behind the objects that actors manipulated throughout the show, produced detailed work that added to each scene. Every prop was detailed and fit the scene, blending in seamlessly and enhancing the campy feeling of the show. Whether it was the Necronomicon, the evil-looking book that truly appeared to be made of human flesh, or the breakaway plates that Jeffrey Garcia broke on stage, each prop was meticulously crafted. The lighting added equally to the show, courtesy of the Lights of the Living Dead Lighting Team. Bright, beautifully contrasting lights added depth to the ensemble dance numbers, where demons simultaneously danced and threatened Ash. Warm toned lighting gave the set a realistic, cabin-like feel, while spotlights guided the eye to designated characters. Overall, every backstage crew only added to the show, with each team bringing something unique to the cabin in the woods.

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Immaculata High School’s Evil Dead: The Musical – High School Version paid homage to the cult-classic splatter horror genre, while simultaneously managing to keep the story fresh and alive…or rather, undead.

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Xoraya Mondesir, Lead Critic
Philemon Wright High School

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What the heck was that? Who could have anticipated that five college students breaking into a random cabin in the woods could go so horribly wrong? Immaculata High School performance of Evil Dead: The Musical – High School Version played with shock and hilarity to create a unique viewing experience.

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Evil Dead: The Musical, a musical retelling of an 80s movie franchise, was first staged in Toronto in 2003. Since then, the musical has become a cult sensation, in a similar vein to “A Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “Little Shop Of Horrors.” The plot follows our main character Ash, and his many misfortunes. Terrible things happen to him, seemingly without end, like the time he releases an ancient evil and gets trapped in the woods with friends-turned-deadites!

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The Lights of the Living Dead Lighting Team, Dead FX Special Effects Team, and The Dancing Dead Choreographers all created a beautiful sequence in the song “Do The Necronomicon.” Choreographers Danica Ianni and Jasmine Champagne created an exciting and spirited routine by using the instructions in the song “First we jump … Clap our hands” and adding exciting flair. To highlight the upbeat song, The Lights of the Living Dead Lighting Team synchronized specific cues to highlight particularly animated parts of the choreography.

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An impressive demonstration of versatility would be Danica Ianni as Cheryl’s shocking transformation from a very convincing portrayal of a shy, friendless and easily frightened sibling who’s just tagging along to a frightening creature hungry for revenge and flesh. Ianni used a powerful mixture of commanding vocals and facial expressions to strike fear and take control of Cheryl’s fatal flaw.

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Can anyone truly feel helpless when stuck in the woods with good old reliable Jake? Of course not! Bishop Alan Phyllip Rodriguez surpassed one’s expectations of a hillbilly handyman with a mullet by having excellent comedic timing, ensuring not one joke fell flat. Rodriguez’s crisp and carrying vocals allowed for a complete understanding of every line, adding hilarity to the slideshow demonstrating just how reliable Jake is!

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Though gore is implied throughout the show, the Dead FX Special Effects Team’s impact shined throughout the second act, adding the highly anticipated but shocking element of blood splattering. Projectile blood splatters completely shifted the mood of the entire show as soon as the spritz was seen.

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Immaculata High School’s staging of Evil Dead: The Musical – High School Version had many elements that worked in partnership with each other to produce the demanding atmosphere of this campy and silly musical. Immaculata High School faced the challenge of this musical and defeated it, in the end!

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Nina Moore, Critic
St. Joseph High School

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An empty cabin in the middle of nowhere, five college students and a book that unleashes pure evil, what could go wrong? Immaculata High School’s production of Evil Dead: The Musical – High School Version depicted how the only thing needed to defeat evil is a good heart and bravery.

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As spring break approaches, Ash, an S-Mart employee, decides the perfect place to go is an abandoned log cabin with his girlfriend, Linda; his sister, Cheryl; his best friend, Scott; and Shelly. But soon things become horrific when they find an old tape recorder in the cellar that recites part of the Necronomicon, also known as the Book of the Dead, which releases demons. One by one, the group is turned into deadites until only Ash is left to fight back and save the world. Luckily, Ash is able to defeat the demons and return to his beloved S-Mart, with a little help from the cabin owner’s daughter, Annie.

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Ash, played by Jeffrey Garcia (L), Annie, played by Stevie Angus (2nd FL) and Jake, played by Bishop Alan Phyllip Rodriguez (R) during Immaculata High School’s Cappies production of Evil Dead: The Musical – High School Version. Photo by Alex Budgell /StudentArticle content

From the crew to the actors, each element was done well to ensure that the atmosphere remained lighthearted even in the face of death and deadites. The lighting provided focus on necessary moments and emphasized the horror elements through red lighting. Each actor brought their own unique energy, creating an enthusiastic production of Evil Dead.

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Jeffery Garcia’s Ash had strong dynamics with Linda, played by Jasmine Champagne, capturing the juvenile love between the housewares employee and his dream girl. Danica Ianni, as Cheryl, was delightfully comedic through delivery, dance, and strong vocals. Jake, portrayed by Bishop Alan Phyllip Rodriguez, had strong comedic timing and presence, especially in “Good Old Reliable Jake.”

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The Pants vs. Zombies Costume Team created and altered several costumes that suited the atmosphere well. Each of the characters had an evil outfit that complemented them well, particularly evil Scott’s bedazzled jacket, which was detailed with sparkling flames. From the chainsaw to the Necronomicon, the props were excellently crafted by 28 Props Later Prop Team. Special effects, by Dead FX Special Effects Team, were used to enhance the atmosphere of the performance such as through the comedic images displayed in “Good Old Reliable Jake.” The Cabin in the Woods Set Team made a cabin that was both beautiful and functional in allowing for easy transitions.

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The Zombieband Pit Band was perfectly in sync and performed expertly. Percussionists, Jared Rose and Christopher El-Murr, created strong sound effects, such as the gunshots, that were delivered flawlessly. Lucas Malo delivered an extraordinary electric guitar solo during one of the scene transitions that blended with the orchestra well, while being superbly dynamic and different.

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Immaculata High School’s production was comic throughout, highlighting that even in the midst of extreme horror there can be laughter, joy, and determination. Through fun musical numbers, the cast and crew worked well to create an energetic and notable performance.

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Moose, played by Daniel Matheson (L) and Ash, played by Jeffrey Garcia (R) during Immaculata High School’s Cappies production of Evil Dead: The Musical – High School Version Photo by Alex Budgell /StudentArticle content

Scott, played by Dominic Laconi (L) and Ash, played by Jeffrey Garcia(R) during Immaculata High School’s Cappies production of Evil Dead: The Musical – High School Version. Photo by Alex Budgell /StudentArticle content

Shelly, played by Kiarah Vilsaint during Immaculata High School’s Cappies production of Evil Dead: The Musical – High School Version. Photo by Alex Budgell /StudentArticle content

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About the reviews:

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The Immaculata High School production was reviewed by 26 critics representing 9 schools. The critic discussions were mentored by teacher Wesley Scheer-Hennings of Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School and student reviews were edited and selected for publication by teacher Marianna Klement of St. Pius X High School, who could see only the reviews, not the names or schools of the reviewers.

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Next review: St. Mother Teresa High School’s production of The Play That Goes Wrong: High School Edition.

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About the Cappies:

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The Citizen and 23 high schools are participating in the Cappies, a Washington, D.C.based program that uses high school critics to review high school theatre. The program is a unique partnership between the Ottawa Citizen, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and the Ottawa Catholic School Board. Two schools from other boards in the region and two private schools have also joined. The Cappies season culminates with an awards Gala in June graciously hosted by the National Arts Centre. Follow Canada’s Capital Cappies on Instagram @OttawaCappies.

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