“Killers in the Woods” is a delightfully campy musical movie – you read that right, it’s a movie! A narrator, script in hand, reads the shot descriptions throughout the performance after explaining to the audience that a live stage version is just way cheaper than filming it. Though this cast of youngsters can sometimes seem inexperienced on stage, the script itself is strong and the singing voices are lovely.
As with all unmic’d Fringe shows, there were times the actors were hard to hear, especially in the musical numbers as the soundtrack could drown out the words. I recommend sitting closer to the stage if you want to be sure to catch all the lyrics. I found the songs to be well written and performed, but a little more serious than the rest of the ridiculous and campy script. My favorite song, because of both the great harmonies and it really fitting in with the rest of the show, recapped the plot of the first two installments of a fictional slasher franchise.
The physical bits were often laugh-out-loud funny, though a few of the fights scenes had me briefly concerned for the cast’s safety (no injuries though!). If you can handle comedy violence and grown-up language, this show is very enjoyable. Overall, “Killers in the Woods” is well worth putting on your Fringe list. I hope someday writer Nik Baument raises enough money to make the movie.
