The RASH! Theatre Company production adapted, directed and featuring music by Ren Casey will perform at The Connelly Theater.
The parody mirrors the film which starred Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman, Kerri Green, Martha Plimpton and Jonathan Ke Quan as seven treasure hunting kids who follow a found pirate's map while trying to outrun a family crime gang.
"But what our show is about is twelve actors on stage trying to do the impossible — recreate on stage a film based so heavily on special effects," Casey posed to Playbill On-Line. Then admittedly adds, "And we just can't do it — but we're trying so hard, and you just love us for it."
The show was born out of a whim when, after writing a musical based on a television show, Casey had been asked about his next project. "Just as a joke, I thought of the first movie that came to my head that would be hard to do and for whatever reason 'The Goonies' popped into my head. But after I thought about it a bit more, I realized it could be perfect. 'The Goonies' is a major pop culture icon of my generation. It has a following, people care about it. They are already invested in the show when they arrive at the theatre, and that's a neat experience for audience and actor alike."
The cast of Save the Goondocks! features Brendan Bradley, Ryan Bogner, Ryan Eggensperger, Liz Gutman, Kelsey Robinson, Kohli Hessler, and Casey himself as the seven adventure-seekers with Carla Stickler, Madalyn McKay, Jacob Kramer, Christopher Crowthers and Shane Desmond. The design team includes Matt Gurry (set), Michael Bevins (costume) and Greg Emetaz (lighting). Colby Fuller provides choreography.
Casey promises that fans of the film and theatregoers unfamiliar with the show alike will be able to relate to the tale. "What makes our show different is that we're not a one-dimensional comedic parody. And while most parodies make fun of and criticize the work from which it was born, we completely celebrate and pay homage to this film. We place it on the level of Shakespeare, of the literary giants and film icons. Musicals are known for being extravagant and flashy, but there has to be room for one for $5.99 — and that's us."
For tickets to Save the Goondocks! at The Connelly Theater, 220 East 4th Street (between Avenues A and B), call (212) 279-4488 or (888) FringeNYC (outside New York). For more information, visit www.rashtheatre.org or www.FringeNYC.org.
