A musical version of ‘The Toxic Avenger’? Why not?

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Hey, if they can make musicals out of ‘The Phantom of the Opera,’ ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ and ‘Jekyll & Hyde,’ why not ‘The Toxic Avenger,’ a camp horror film from 1984?

After several months at New Jersey’s George Street Playhouse last fall -- no accident, since the show is set in New Jersey -- the kitschy ‘Toxic Avenger: The Musical’ has moved across the river to New York. Written by David Bryan and Joe DiPietro and directed by John Rando (‘Urinetown’), the production began previews March 18 and opens officially April 6.

To read about the show and learn why Bryan says it makes fun of New Jersey ‘in a good way,’ read the story posted here on our sister blog the Hero Complex. But just to give you a feel for the approach, know that the songs include: ‘It’s a Brand New Day in New Jersey,’ ‘Evil Is Hot’ and ‘Hot Toxic Love.’

And the humor doesn’t stop there. Here’s what the show’s website will tell you: ‘’The Toxic Avenger’ is appropriate for teenagers to centenagers (13 to 100+), although over 100, we’re not responsible for death due to laughter. The show contains a monster that might frighten young children, and it also contains some words our mothers said we shouldn’t use. If it was a movie, it’d be rated PG-13 ... but it’s not a movie.’ Not anymore.

--Lee Margulies