Toxic Avenger announces complete cast

Jean Cheever and Tom Polum, producers of The Toxic Avenger, have announced the complete cast for the upcoming new musical about New Jersey�s first superhero.

Joining the previously announced Nancy Opel are Sara Chase, Nick Cordero, Demond Green and Matt Saldivar. Opel, Cordero and Green all starred in the George Street Playhouse production of the show, while Chase appeared in the initial workshop production. Tony Award-winner John Rando directs.

Featuring book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You�re Perfect, Now Change) & music by David Bryan (Bon Jovi), with direction by John Rando, The Toxic Avenger will open at New World Stages / Stage 1 on 6 Apr 2009, following previews from 18 Mar, and is selling through to 6 Sep 2009.

Toxic Avenger: Set in the mythical town of Tromaville, Exit 13B off the New Jersey Turnpike. An aspiring earth scientist, Melvin Ferd the Third, is determined to clean up the town�s burgeoning toxic waste, until he is tossed into a vat of radioactive goo and emerges as a seven-foot mutant freak and New Jersey�s first superhero. Armed with superhuman strength and a heart as big as Newark, he�s out to save New Jersey, end global warming and woo Sarah, the prettiest, blindest librarian in town.

Based on the classic 1985 cult film by Lloyd Kaufman, Toxic Avenger premiered this fall at Jersey's George Street Playhouse, where the show became the biggest grossing musical in the theatre�s 34 year history.

Toxic Avenger marks Bryan and DiPietro�s second collaboration.

The design team will be announced shortly.

Nancy Opel was nominated for a Tony for her performance as 'Penelope Pennywise' in 'Urinetown' (2001). Some of her other Broadway credits include 'Fiddler on the Roof' (Yente: 2004 revival), 'Triumph of Love' (Corine: revival) and 'Teddy & Alice' (Eleanor Roosevelt: 1987). She was nominated for both a Lucille Lortel Award and Drama Desk for her last off-Broadway appearance in the MTC's production of David Ives' 'Polish Joke' (2003).

Sara Chase returns to the company of Toxic Avenger after doing the reading last year. She most recently starred in and produced the hit sketch comedy 'Jen and Angie' at the Upright Citizen's Brigade Theatre in NY and LA. Off-Broadway/Regional: 'Slut,' 'Godspell' (Paper Mill Playhouse).

Nick Cordero is making his New York stage debut in the role he created in The George Street Playhouse production of Toxic Avenger. In his native Canada, Nick has been seen as 'Che' in 'Evita,' 'Jamie' in 'The Last Five Years' and 'Tony' in 'Tony and Tina�s Wedding.'

Demond Green most recently appeared in The George Street Playhouse production of Toxic Avenger Other regional credits include: 'A Midsummer Night�s Dream '(McCarter Theatre/ Paper Mill Playhouse), 'Two Gentlemen of Verona' (Baltimore CenterStage), 'The Wiz' (La Jolla Playhouse), and 'The 25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee' (Barrington Stage/ North Shore). He is making his New York Stage Debut.

Matthew Saldivar's Broadway credits are 'Grease' (Kenickie: 2007 revival) and 'The Wedding Singer' (Samm: 2006). He last appeared off-Broadway in the Atlantic's production of 'Sea of Tranquility.'