‘Lend Me a Chainsaw’ @ Lakeside Community Theatre
Photos courtesy of Lakeside Community Theatre
—Rickey Wax
Just in time for Halloween, the world premiere of Lend Me a Chainsaw, a horror-slasher comedy by Brian Christensen, is the perfect show to kick off the spooky season at Lakeside Community Theatre. Directed with a keen eye for camp by Aaron Schultz, this fresh new musical takes horror tropes and playfully flips them upside down, blending blood-soaked thrills with side-splitting humor. Ten years in the making, Lend Me a Chainsaw is the twisted, tongue-in-cheek love child of horror and musical theater, luring audiences into a night of outrageous songs, unexpected laughs, and pure mayhem. With a colorful cast of thrill-seeking teens, a bizarre backwoods mechanic, and a series of “killer” surprises, this musical slasher promises a ride as wild as it is wickedly funny.
The show opens on a chilling note, with an ear-piercing scream as an unidentified woman flees in terror from a lurking killer. From there, the stage shifts to introduce the audience to a band of excitable teenagers who are unchaperoned and eager for a weekend at a remote cabin—what can possibly go wrong? The road to freedom takes an ominous twist when a blowout strands them in the middle of nowhere, and a peculiar mechanic warns them about their chosen destination—a sinister spot known locally as “The Killer Cabin,” where recent gruesome events have unfolded.
Faced with this chilling information, the teens debate turning back but ultimately decide to push forward. But their journey continues to unravel as all their tires mysteriously go flat, forcing them to abandon the car and wander through the darkened forest—with no phone signal (yikes). Relief appears briefly in the form of a motel, where they hope to find sanctuary. But as the night spirals into a chaos of blood and slapstick horror, it becomes clear that everyone may not make it until dawn.
Each couple in Lend Me a Chainsaw brings their own unique dynamic to the stage, with strong comedic chemistry and vocal prowess. Sam (Dahlia Parks) and Kevin (Cam Hayes) serve as the grounded heart of the group. Sam’s nurturing, motherly instincts make her a stabilizing presence, while Kevin’s leadership qualities add a calm amidst the chaos. Their level-headed approach provides a nice balance to the group’s more chaotic personalities, and both Parks and Hayes bring a warm, earnest touch to their performances.
Jess (Noelle Saul) is the edgy, hypersexual grunge girl whose chemistry with Nick (Dakota Britvich) is both comical and electric. Their duet (and my favorite) “Do You” is a fun, tongue-in-cheek number that brings a sassy, flirtatious energy to the stage. Rounding out the couples we have Kat (Lindsey Kay Smith), who is the quintessential bombshell, while Chad (Troy Murray ) is the obnoxious jerk everyone (including the audience) loves to hate. Smith and Murray bring plenty of humor to their roles, with Murray embracing Chad’s over-the-top arrogance (the jock voice was perfect). Their banter and eye-roll-inducing exchanges make for some of the show’s funniest moments.
Shanspeare Alexander’s performance as the “Man,” the peculiar country mechanic, is a scene-stealer. With an accent that’s as mysterious as it is hilarious, Alexander owns every moment on stage, turning even simple lines into comedic gems. He brings a quirky charm that’s magnetic, leaving the audience eagerly anticipating each of his appearances. Jo (Hailey Hatfield) is the apathetic motel worker dreaming of a bigger life. Hatfield brings an emotional depth that contrasts with the campy vibe of the show. Her solo number “Spread My Wings” is a heartfelt ballad, and Hatfield’s impressive vocals shine.
The musical score, directed expertly by Joey O’Reilly, is a lively mix of genres from upbeat pop-rock numbers to tender ballads, lending variety and depth to the show. The horror scenes feature zany, cartoon-like scores—and a callback to classic slapstick humor—that turns the bloody slasher moments into bits of dark comedy. The production design (Keegan Arnold) is playfully low-budget in the best way, with cardboard trees creating a deliberately campy forest that compliments the over-the-top horror. Lighting effects play with intense reds, blues, and eerie glows, embracing the slasher genre’s visual style while maintaining a tongue-in-cheek approach. The camp aesthetic runs through every detail, amplifying the comedy and reinforcing the self-aware humor of the piece.
Lend Me a Chainsaw is a rollicking, blood-soaked blend of horror and humor that keeps the audience laughing and gasping until the very end. Thanks to Rebecca Lowrey and MusicalWriters.com, the ten-year journey to bring Christensen’s vision to life has paid off in a delightfully original, uproarious piece of musical theater that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
WHEN: October 4- October 26, 2024
WHERE: 6303 Main St, The Colony, TX 75056
WEB: www.lctthecolony.com
