A Prophetic Musical Production

Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog – Black Button Eyes Productions

Back in a more innocent time, about thirteen years ago, Covid-19 hadn’t reared its ugly head. We weren’t yet imprisoned in our homes for safety’s sake or masked for protection from a pandemic when we had to go out. After theatres shut their doors in March of 2020, live productions ceased to be. Only plays, musicals and concerts that could be streamed online were safe for presentation. Entertainment and enlightenment for an arts-hungry public was limited, but still possible. 

But back in 2008, one creative writer/director had the novel idea to present a musical comedy-drama in three acts on the internet. It was unique, if prophetic; and his musical production may have even served as a blueprint for contemporary companies wishing to produce theatre during the pandemic shutdown. Joss Whedon demonstrated, with the popularity of his tuneful superhero satire, that theatres could still create entertainment for their audiences if they Zoomed the show over the internet.

The incident that sparked Whedon’s unprecedented three-act mini musical in 2007 was a strike by the Writers Guild of America. Created with Whedon’s brothers Jed and Zack, along with actress/writer Maurissa Tancharoen, the series won every award possible and became a wildly popular cult favorite. A soundtrack of the songs was released through the iTunes Store, and eventually a DVD of the entire 45-minute show became available for purchase. Four years later, “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” was finally broadcast on television on the CW network. Since that time, the shooting script was made available and live stage productions became quite successful. 

Ed Rutherford, the talented Producing Artistic Director of Black Button-Eyes Productions, has brought the musical to life onstage, now that live theatre’s thankfully returned to Chicago. Working closely with Music Director Micky York and Choreographer Derek Van Barham, this dark musical spoof is a perfect fit for the company known for such eerie, supernatural shows as “Coraline,” “Shockheaded Peter” and “Evil Dead, the Musical.” 

In addition, Rutherford’s stunning production owes much of its success to the genius of his team of gifted theatrical artists. Jeremiah Barr creates a fine, flexible stage environment and his technical directorship keeps the show in motion. Chicago’s master of video and projection design, G. “Max” Maxin IV, infuses the production with the authentic look, sound and energy of a real internet presentation. Additional credit for this production’s success goes to Liz Cooper for her lighting design, Robert Hornbostel for his outstanding sound work, and Rachel Sypniewski for her inventive costuming.

The story is simple. Dr. Horrible aspires to become a super-villain, while continually giving updates on his evil schemes and responding to emails from his video blog fans. The mad doctor is in the middle of telling his public about Penny, a beautiful girl he met and fell for at the laundromat, when his accomplice, Moist, shows up. The wet sidekick reads him a letter sent from Bad Horse, the head of the Evil League of Evil. The villain tells Dr. Horrible that his application for admission to the League will solely depend on how dastardly his next evil deed will play out. Horrible’s arch nemesis, the anti-superhero Captain Hammer, is to become the object of his underhanded plot, particularly since he’s swept Penny off her feet. The story is filled with fake fighting and wondrous weapons of destruction that rival James Bond. The entire three-act production is like watching a short, tongue-in-cheek superhero movie and is equally as much fun.

Rutherford’s cast is comprised of a talented group of triple threats, most of whom are familiar faces to Chicago audiences. They include the incomparable Kevin Webb in the title role (originated by Neil Patrick Harris), chewing up the scenery with his diabolical nastiness. Tommy Thurston is perfect as the arrogant strongman, Captain Hammer, and Stephanie Fongheiser is sweet and sympathetic as Penny. Joshua Servantez is hilarious as Dr. Horrible’s dripping wet gofer, Moist. The brilliant ensemble, all of whom play multiple roles, includes North Homewood, Caitlin Jackson, Peter Ruger, Maiko Terazawa and the multitalented Josh Kemper.

Black Button-Eyes’ latest production arrives just in time for Halloween and smartly capitalizes on the popularity of the superhero/villain trope found everywhere these days. It’s a concise little show filled with special effects, satire and comic book humor. Thanks to a topnotch artistic team, the attention to detail is particularly magical, and Ed Rutherford’s brilliant cast even out-blasts the mad doctor’s powerful Death Ray. Overflowing with effervescent enjoyment, this homage to serialized melodramas and superheroes is a perfect way to spend a chilly Autumn evening.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented October 8-November 6 by Black Button Eyes Productions at the The Edge Theater, 5451 N Broadway Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available at the box office or by going to www.drhorriblechicago.eventbrite.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.