Arlington Heights actress embraces role in campy 'Evil Dead' musical
Arlington Heights actress Julie Baird wasn't familiar with "The Evil Dead" cult horror film franchise when she auditioned for a North American tour of the musical comedy inspired by the movies. But now that she is starring in "Evil Dead - The Musical," which plays the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place starting Tuesday, Sept. 23, Baird and her family are firm fans of the blood-soaked films.
"At the time when I read the audition notice, I had never seen the movies nor really knew of the musical," said Baird during a telephone interview from Madison, Wis., where the "Evil Dead - The Musical" tour officially launched earlier this month. "But when I showed up to the audition, I got to read from the script and sing some of the songs and right away I realized just how much fun this project was going to be."
"Evil Dead - The Musical" premiered in 2003 in Toronto and later played many successful return engagements. The show also played in Montreal in 2004 and off-Broadway in New York in 2006.
The musical is mostly inspired by the first two films of director Sam Raimi's horror trilogy featuring "The Evil Dead" (1981) and "Evil Dead II: Dead By Dawn" (1987), which added a humorous slapstick element to the gore. Baird says there are also some lines thrown in from Raimi's third film in the franchise, "Army of Darkness" (1992).
"Evil Dead - The Musical" tells the bloody tale of five college friends vacationing in an abandoned cabin in the woods. They mistakenly unleash an evil force that transforms them (and, crucially, select body parts) into demons. Baird plays Linda, the unfortunate all-American girlfriend of the show's hero, Ash (David Sajewich).
"It's very funny and it's very over-the-top," said Baird, who adds that the films' original creators gave their permission for the franchise to be adapted by the musical's many authors.
"Evil Dead - The Musical" has George Reinblatt on the book and lyrics, with Frank Cipolla, Melissa Morris and Christopher Bond contributing to the musical score with such songs as "Look Who's Evil Now" and "All the Men in My Life Keep Getting Killed By Canadian Demons."
"It's playing a lot to horror stereotypes," said Baird. "And of course, there's a lot of crazy blood in Act II."
Indeed, audience members in the first four rows risk being sprayed with "blood" in "The Splatter Zone." Baird suggests that those seated up front might not want to wear their best outfits, though she's heard tales of audience members in Toronto who relished their "Splatter Zone" status and would wear white to show off as much fake blood as possible.
"Evil Dead - The Musical" is Baird's first acting job as part of a national tour. A 2012 graduate of Western Michigan University with a BFA in musical theater performance, Baird is also glad that the longest touring stop is in Chicago. She's hoping that many of her teachers and friends who worked with her growing up in productions at Palatine's Cutting Hall will come see the show.
"It's perfect for college kids and groups of young friends, but my parents and even my grandparents went and they loved it," said Baird. "It really is a good time with lots of singing and dancing. And on top of that, a crazy zombie bloodbath."
“Evil Dead — The Musical”
Location: Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut St., Chicago, (800) 775-2000,
Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 7 and 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday; Sept. 23 through Oct. 12
Tickets: $56.99-$64.99