Featuring a chorus of zombie camp counselors, a few talking trees and plenty of dancers with machetes, “Friday the 13th The Musical” may be one of the most unique shows to hit Connecticut College’s campus in a long time. The satirical musical comedy based on the “Friday the 13th” horror movie franchise is the creation of Andrew Marco ’15, a theater and music major with a love for both Broadway and bloody thrillers.
Produced completely by students, the show is backed by Wig and Candle, the College’s student theater society, and will be performed in Palmer 202 on Feb. 15 and 16.
Marco got the idea for the unorthodox project while he was still in high school, but it did not come to fruition until he got to Connecticut College, he said. Here, he began working closely with Grant Jacoby ’13, one of the leaders of Wig and Candle, to bring his original work to the College.
“The fact that we have a student theater group on campus is great because it provides a medium for students outside of the main stage shows,” Marco said. “It was one of the things that originally drew me to the College.” Jacoby was eager to work with Marco on the show.
“I remember reading the script and thinking it was very funny, but as soon as I heard the opening number, I knew it was something really special,” Jacoby said. “Andrew’s piece really lives up to what it sets out to achieve.”
The first completed version of “Friday the 13th The Musical” was performed at the College last year as a one-night-only staged reading in Oliva Hall, under the direction of Alex Marz ’13. Scripts in hand, the eclectic cast put on a hilarious show with a fresh, impromptu feel that excited the entire audience.
“Watching certain moments, I was able to see things I wanted to change and make better,” Marco said. Marco will debut his revamped script in this year’s full-scale production.
Marz, who will reprise his role as the musical’s primary director, says he has enjoyed rehearsing with this year’s cast members, both returning and new.
“This show just brings people together,” he said. “The rehearsal room doesn't feel like work; it's always a bunch of crazy people just playing and creating something together.”
Jacoby, who will serve as the choreographer, actor and director for this year’s show, added, “I love ‘Friday the 13th’ because it is so ridiculous and so fun, but at the same time it is very meaningful. Doing the show again brings back so many great, unadulterated memories.”
The full-length musical features many hilariously ironic and darkly comedic musical numbers, including favorites like “Jason Lives” and “B*tch, Don’t Go In There,” a song in which trees come to life and attempt to warn one of the counselors that she will soon meet her demise.
The richly satirical, cheesy comedy of “Friday the 13th” is aimed at a college-aged audience, making it perfect for performance at Connecticut College.
Marz explained that the show “is totally aware of itself. That is to say there is no illusion that what is happening has any firm grasp on reality. But at the same time, while the characters might be a little blown out of proportion, they totally believe and trust in the world around them.”
“Friday the 13th The Musical” will be performed in Palmer 202 on Friday, Feb. 15, at 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 16, at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free but space is limited.
— Bailey Bennett ’14