KILL VIKTOR, Vol. 1&2
Written by Donaldson
Directed by Chad Wise
at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont (map)
thru Oct 28 | tickets: $15-$18 | more info
Check for half-price tickets
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She’s alive, and kicking butt, in Boystown!
New Millennium Theatre presents
KILL VIKTOR, Vol. 1&2
Review by K.D. Hopkins
What happens when you mix indie auteur Quentin Tarantino with classic horror auteur James Whale and Shaolin schlock? You get KILL VIKTOR, Vol. 1&2. New Millennium Theatre goes to the wall and snatches weapons hidden in the trim to fight off legions of zombies and other creatures of the night.
The Bride (Amee Binder) is pregnant and left for dead by Viktor Frankenstein’s legion of killers, but she survives and is one pissed-off chick made from dead parts. The Bride has learned some moves, and she heads for the enclave of Ho-Tep Ishii (Maria Burnham). KILL VIKTOR, Vol. 1&2 jumps right into the action. Director Chad Wise and writer Donaldson pay homage to the Shaolin movies from Taiwan with the climactic music and red lights with each kill. Binder is quite agile and fun to watch as she turns cartwheels and slams zombie heads together.
Donaldson adds a zany spoof of sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond” called “Everybody Loves Vampira”. This seems inspired by the best of “Mad” magazine, and it is one of the standouts in the show. Vampira (Jessica Rae) is the housewife who is preparing Thanksgiving dinner and waiting for Raymond (Frank Sjodin) to bring home the green beans. Sjodin does a spot on imitation of the whiny Romano character. Brother Robbie (Josh Razavi) shows his jealousy by attempting to off himself with a series of household objects like the sofa pillow or the carving knife. Frank (Alek White) is a nice tribute to the late actor Peter Boyle, who played The Monster in “Young Frankenstein”. White dons the skin cap and crazed expression of both characters. The Bride enters and messes up dinner and no one gets the green beans.
There are some slower moments with characters such as Claudette (Caroline Seal), the Invisible Woman, that could move quicker. The interaction with Bud (Sean Harklerode) the Wolfman is a comedy dud with both the Bride and Viktor (Beau Forbes). If these are supposed to be a swipe at ‘very special episodes’ – it falls flat.
This is also the debut of the character B.B. (Kayla Stypinski), the mutant child of Viktor and the Bride. She is adorable waving her tentacle arms around; actually quite good with stage presence. However, it might be more fun to spin an adult actor in that role. It’s an ‘awww’ moment that could be left out, keeping the show to the hour that it is supposed to be along with the Wolfman scenes. Keep Igor (Richard Mealey) and the Five Points of Death. Scuttle the rest, or tighten it up.
Overall, KILL VIKTOR, Vol. 1&2 is a fun late night show for the Halloween season. It’s flashy, frenetic, and a decent comedy. I had a good time and that’s what weekend nights are made for.
Rating: ★★½
Kill Viktor Vol. 1&2 continues through October 28th at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont (map), with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 11pm, Sundays 4pm. Tickets are $15-$18, and are available by phone (773-975-8150) or online through TheaterWit.org (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com). More information at NMTChicago.org. (Running time: 80 minutes, no intermission)
artists
cast
Amee Binder (The Bride), Beau Forbes (Viktor Frankenstein), Sean Harklerode (Bud), Maria Burnham (Ho-Tep Ishii, Marie), Caroline Seal (Claudette), Jessica Rae (Vampira), Frank R. Sjodin (Raymond), Alek White (Frank), Richard Mealey (Igor), Josh Razavi (Robbie), Kayla Stypinski (B.B.), Caty Natt, Desiree Stypinski (Zombie 88s, Villagers)
behind the scenes
Chad Wise (director); Ellen Domonkos (producer); Janette Bauer (stage manager, lighting); Alyson Kulin (asst. stage manager); Eric Franzen (costumes); Meagan Piccochi (set design); Jared Dennis (fight director); Libby Beyreis (fight choreographer); Jessica Rae (hair and makeup artist)
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