Cult classic horror film + Broadway musical = campy ‘Creature from the Black Lagoon’ at Universal Studios Hollywood

“The Creature From the Black Lagoon — A Raging Rockin’ Show” debuting at Universal Studios Hollywood on July 1 blends a Broadway-style musical with a romantic-comedy-adventure that promises to be unlike any other theme park experience.

The 25-minute show tells the twisted love story of beauty and beast through song, dance, aerial acrobatics, puppetry, special effects and an original score.

The question, of course, is will your average theme-park audience unfamiliar with the 1954 cult classic story grasp the high-camp concept.

The story centers around a menacing but tormented reptilian-man (Gill, a.k.a. the Creature) who falls in love with Kay, a beautiful and brilliant scientist. Kay’s emotionally detached scientist-fiancé (David) and an obnoxious rich kid (Mark) obsessed with capturing the creature provide the requisite complications. An exotic voodoo queen (Miranda) serves as the ship’s captain.

The show includes four original songs:
“Black Lagoon” – the opening number which introduces the cast and sets the story in motion.
“Slay Me” – Kay’s solo performance during her choreographed swimming sequence with Gill.
“Prime Evil” – the ensemble piece that tells the story of Kay’s kidnapping by Gill.
“Strange New Hunger” – a romantic duet between Kay and Gill.

The production certainly won’t want for expertise. “Creature” combines the talents of “Footloose” choreographer Lynne Taylor-Corbett, “Lion King” puppeteer Michael Curry and “Wicked” aerial stunt designer Paul Rubin. Producer Marc Routh’s credits include Broadway’s “Hairspray,” “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Young Frankenstein.”

Find the latest amusement and theme park news at the Los Angeles Times Funland blog: www.latimes.com/funland. Follow Funland on Twitter.

— Brady MacDonald, Los Angeles Times staff writer

Image: Universal Studios Hollywood

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 12:13 pm by Brady MacDonald and is filed under California, Family & Kids, Los Angeles, Theme Parks, Universal Studios Hollywood. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.