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If you walk past the Bus Barn Theater these days, you’ll notice that something smells funny. In actuality, something smells hilarious. Los Altos Stage Company’s rambunctious, rule-breaking production of “The Toxic Avenger” is just the dose of laughter therapy that we all need.
Based on the 1984 comedy/horror film, this 2008 musical with Book and Lyrics by Joe DiPietro and music and lyrics by David Bryan tells the story of Melvin Ferd the Third (a nerd), who discovers that the toxic waste in his New Jersey hometown is arriving undercover, courtesy of a nefarious arrangement between the mayor and large nasty corporations.
He investigates by becoming a janitor at City Hall, but is quickly dispatched by hired thugs, who toss him into a vat of noxious goo. As superhero stories mandate, this turns him into a powerful monster (also quite hideous) who goes around dismembering polluters.
The Jersey vibe is solid, thanks to the composer, Mr. Bryan, being the founding guitarist for a little band called Bon Jovi. Bryan displays an impressive facility with pop/rock genres, peppering his score with Springsteenian story rock, Mellencampian folk songs and (naturally) Bon Jovian anthems. Just a certain type of piano arpeggio or a dirty sax solo is enough to transport one to the Garden State. The music is delivered by a five-piece band tucked behind some chicken wire, led by the bass player, Gus Kambeitz.
The primary theme of the show’s style is a joyous disrespect for rules. The fourth wall is broken often and gleefully, breaking character is encouraged, and costume changes are a mile a minute.
Harker Russell is perfect for Melvin’s nerd-trope character, and also manages to support the fake muscles and hideous makeup that come later. His voice begins at a pubescent warble but also proves capable of some real power in more dramatic moments. His lament, “You Tore My Heart Out” (a love song that references actual body-part removals) is genuinely moving.
Melvin’s love interest is Sarah the Blind Librarian, and believe me there is no limit on blind jokes. Sarah, who disavows any limitations brought on by her sightlessness, is constantly facing the wrong way, about to walk off the edge of the stage or using an overdue stamp on her hand. Her disability is also a convenient device for not noticing that her new boyfriend, who she calls Toxie, is hugely ugly.
Kennedy Johnson’s performance in the role is phenomenal. She has a great voice, gives Sarah an eminently irresistible likeability, is spot-on with comic timing and tone, and dances like a pop star (choreography by Brittany Watts). I especially enjoyed the harmonies on her duet with Melvin, “Hot Toxic Love.” She also delivered a moment that reminded me of the notorious cutaway scenes from “Family Guy,” taking a nasty spill and insisting on taking freaking forever to find her cane without assistance.
Molly Thornton gets her own running gag, playing both Melvin’s mother and Mayor Babs. Inevitably, these two have to face off (in the tenderly titled “Bitch/Slut/Liar/Whore”), so she dashes in and out of a sideroom, dialoguing all the while, reappearing in one or other of the two costumes, and ending with an innovation that I shan’t divulge.
The fun foundation of the play is Gary Stanford and Max Mahle as the Black Dude and the White Dude, playing an entire town’s worth of hair stylists, girl groups, gangsters, doctors, senior citizens — whatever’s required. Stanford contributes some most excellent dance moves, while Mahle performs the inevitable folk song about the new superhero, getting carried away with his improv choruses until the mayor has to come out and shut him up. Together, the Dudes put out a tremendous amount of energy, keeping the show’s foot firmly on the accelerator.
DiPietro’s humor is divine. He has that talent for leading the dialogue toward an expected joke and then yanking out the rug. It’s clear, also, that the script is open to updates. The Los Altos Stage Company performance included a diss on J.K. Rowling. Earlier, when Melvin asked where the dumping records are, Sarah answered, “The Mayor didn’t want anyone to find it, so I labeled it ‘Epstein Files.'”
Director Doug Brook does a fine job of keeping the train (just barely) on the rails. The Marx Brothers-style chaos will have you a little exhausted and sore in the ribs from laughter. But it’s a good pain.
“The Toxic Avenger” runs through June 28 at Bus Barn Theater, 97 Hillview Ave., Los Altos. Tickets are $25-$48. 650-941-0551 or losaltosstage.org.
