'Exorcistic: The Rock Musical' Off-Broadway review — the possession of the theatre kids
Read our review of Exorcistic: The Rock Musical off Broadway, a parody of The Exorcist now playing at Asylum NYC after a previous 2023 run in New York.
When a troupe scraps together an experimental rock musical adaptation — that is, musical parody — of the 1973 possession-horror classic The Exorcist, a lot can go to hell. Exorcistic: The Rock Musical, directed by Alli Miller and Chadd McMillan, has been resurrected at Asylum NYC off Broadway following a 2023 run.
Parody musicals have long been hallowed grounds of freewheeling absurdity inspired by its source material. Conceived by bookwriter/composer/lyricist Michael Shaw Fisher (who also plays a caricaturish version of himself, and was understudied by a booming Richardson Cisneros-Jones on my night), Exorcistic is framed as a parody musical about making a parody musical: A pretentious theatre company is staging one in development, offering a meta take on the egotistical exercise of the genre.
An (un)holy marriage between the reverent and irreverent, Exorcistic is frivolously fun when charting a coup de théâtre spurred by demonic possession, accompanied by Fisher’s varied score of rock, cabaret, and hip-hop. Is the leading actress Emma Hunton (the actors’ real names are used), playing the possessed girl, just a diva intoxicated by method acting? Nope, she’s possessed for real.
Exorcistic can also be a mess. The excessive gyrating in Camel Pugh’s Act 1 choreography — however apt it is for the environment — can exhaust itself of comedic shock. Soapy in-universe drama between actors doesn’t always intermingle with the structure, even with chuckle-worthy banter. Most egregiously, the over-amplified music drowns out the lyrics (sound design is by Tyler Walkes).
That's a shame, since the cast unleashes an inferno of talent. Hunton performs with a demonic cadence and Beetlejuice mischief, and she is as bendy as required by the film’s infamous money shots. Ethan Crystal puts the H in Hot Priest with an angsty flair as Father Garras, his “The Jesuit Blues” introduction number combining camp and earnest character psychology. He’s complemented by Jesse Merlin’s stately cartoonishness as Father Barren. Leigh Wulff also fits like a glove as a single-mom movie star who could use a glass of wine.
Exorcistic at least finds theatrical salvation in Act 2, when most of the sound mixing was adjusted and there's a meaty guest star number, “Your Mother Sucks Cocks in Hell,” performed on my night by Wicked alum Lindsay Heather Pearce. Moreso, the Act 2 climatic turns straddle the silliness and sincerely dramatic, especially during a slow-motion stair climb. It’s hard not to commend the big swings of Exorcistic.
Exorcistic: The Rock Musical Summary
Exorcistic: The Rock Musical follows a theatre troupe workshopping and staging their experimental parody rock musical of the 1973 landmark horror film The Exorcist, directed by William Friedkin and written by William Peter Blatty. The musical-within-a-musical keeps the movie’s plot beats — with screwball artistic license — chronicling an actress’ daughter (named “Megan” instead of Regan, leading to a running gag about the show’s legality) becoming possessed by the devil.
The show must go on, even when the lead actress Emma, playing Megan, gets possessed for real and begins her conquest of the stage. Against all odds, it’s up to the actors to exorcise her.
What to expect at Exorcistic: The Rock Musical
Exorcistic: The Rock Musical retains the movie’s vulgarities and then some: there's the oft-quoted “your mother sucks cock in hell,” yaoi between priests, gyrating, sex positions, quick-changes into sultry getup, body horror, and stage snafus involving a sinister spiritual force.
The show-within-a-show will “pause” to deliver intermittent “Anatomy of a Scene” discussions to discuss scenes reenacted from the movie — a recap that might help a novice catch up to speed — while allowing the in-universe actors to debate the show’s execution.
Thanks to the immersive nature, inspired by Rocky Horror Picture Show, the actors will sidle into the audience to interact with, or seduce, them. Those seated in the side “confessional” will be closest to the mayhem. As I was seated on upper premium left, I had to twist and turn my head (thankfully not 360 degrees like in the movie) to catch some of the action behind me on the stairs.
What audiences are saying about Exorcistic: The Rock Musical
Viewers have commented on Exorcistic's Asylum NYC production and the 2023 Off-Broadway run across various social media platforms.
- Mezzanine app user Agie Cummings commented on the 2023 run as “absolutely wild,” while adding that “the narrative structure needs a bit of work.”
- Mezzanine app user Alex Ballester said of the Asylum NYC run, “I was crying laughing… Overall, was a good time.”
- “I had fun. I could understand the speaking parts, though I gave up trying to hear the song lyrics by Act 2. There’s really a lot of talent. I haven’t seen the movie but I feel I got it and I wasn’t lost. Emma Hunton really slayed it.” - My +1 at the show
Who should see Exorcistic: The Rock Musical
- Fans of The Exorcist, from old to young cult horror acolytes, would laugh at a parody musical endeavoring to match the iconic energy in its own comedic flair. One gag that will hit the spot for longtime fans concerns composer Jack Nitzsche’s movie theme.
- Even non-viewers of The Exorcist may pick up on the movie trivia referenced in Exorcistic and feel inclined to check out the movie and its history.
- A viewer can make repeat viewings to experience the rotating lineup of guest stars. Alongside Pearce at my night, confirmed guests include Lance Bass, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Frankie Grande, Lena Hall, and Evan Rachel Wood.
- Viewers of parody musicals like Titanique may enjoy a production that sends up the parody genre with a talented ensemble.
Learn more about Exorcistic: The Rock Musical off Broadway
In paying homage to and lampooning The Exorcist and the process of parody musicals, Exorcistic: The Rock Musical can be a hot mess. By the time the show resolves its sound issues, the audience can more fully revel in the irreverence.
Photo credit: Exorcistic: The Rock Musical off Broadway. (Photos by David Haverty)
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