Theater Review: HotCity Theatre’s ‘SLASHER’

A director and writer can take many different angles when tackling the subject of the American “slasher” film. One could make a parody of the often looked-down upon genre. Another could approach the subject with a loving homage to the genre. This is evident in Adam Green’s recent Hatchet films. The third approach is one that can be seen in Allison Moore’s new 2010 dark comedy Slasher. Though combing elements of adoration and poking fun of the genre, Slasher is more interested in presenting a dissection of the horror genre and the industry behind it. HotCity’s “anti-Christmas” show delivers this interesting conversation with both laughs and seriousness.

Slasher centers on the troubled life of Sheena (played perfectly by the gorgeous Natasha Toro). Between juggling the responsibility of caring for her younger “smarter” sister and keeping her drug-addicted mother (Lavonne Byers)  in-line, Sheena tries to find time (and money) for her college studies and her “Hooters”-esque restaurant job. Thankfully for Sheena, slick Hollywood director Marc Hunter has just landed in her hometown of Austin to direct his next horror film. While meeting with his new assistant Jody (James Cougar Canfield), Marc sees Sheena and is set to make her his “last girl” in the horror feature. There is only one little problem that stands in the way for Sheena … her drug riddled, scooter imprisoned, ultra-feminist mother, Frances.

HotCity is presenting the St. Louis premier of the 2010 Humana Festival play Slasher. From the very opening scene, the show jumps quickly between dark humor to serious anecdotes regarding the roles of men and women in society. Much of this humor is derived from many of Lavonne Byers’ endless rants that are both funny and poignant. In the same sentence you will hear her spout statistics regarding the pay of women compared to men while also hearing her talk about running her car into a politician’s SUV. It is this quick approach to the subject matter that makes Allison Moore’s writing one of the most entertaining and clever scripted plays you will see staged this year. Though Sheena’s mother Frances sounds like a stereotype, never once does Lavonne Byers present her as a stale character we have seen before. Her extremely believable performance infuses equal parts of the mother from Requiem for a Dream and the mother from Carrie. Chopper Leifheit portrays Marc Hunter as a know-it-all veteran of the Hollywood system, but again … never delving into a cartoon-like performance. His sleazy demeanor reveals a pathetic nature at times but a sadistic womanizer in others. Both of these characters that share Sheena’s attention are played great, but the main character and “last girl” is certainly Sheena. Toro gives an energetic performance that captures an innocent girl stepping into the wild world of horror cinema. Costume Designer Scott Breihan initially dresses her in jogging pants and sweatshirts at the beginning of the play. Yet by the end she is barely covered in cut-off jean shorts and revealing a bright red push-up bra under an unbuttoned shirt. As Sheena’s mother would say, she comes off as “just another girl being exploited by men.” Yet, as is witnessed when Sheena negotiates with Marc for higher pay for her role, Sheena can also be seen as having the upper hand. It is these discussions about exploitation, gender roles, and the intent of horror films that makes Slasher a play for both horror film fans and theater enthusiasts looking for an interesting night at the theater. One can argue that this play fits well with some of the ideas that are brought up in the book, Men, Women, and Chainsaws: Gender Roles in the Modern Horror Film written by Carol J. Clover. Because I went to a preview performance that was staged prior to opening night, there were some technical details that still need to be worked out. Hopefully the production staff could also be a little quieter behind the scenes as well when the initial production begins. Besides these technical problems, I also felt that the ending seemed a bit rushed. This is no fault to the production. It is just when the first act runs a quick hour and two minutes, the 27 minute second act comes across as rushed. I would have been fine if Moore kept the tension from the first act boiling a little longer in the second.

Though I have made Slasher sound like a college ethics discussion, I assure you, Slasher is a fun show filled with blood, boobs, and laughs. What is even better, is realizing that writer Allison Moore clearly has a knowledge of the genre she is writing about. This is evident in a great speech Chopper Leifheit gives regarding the larger societal metaphor of Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. It is instances like this that makes it fun being a horror fan when watching the play. Just as Hooper’s film was able to entertain while also hinting at larger issues, Slasher is also able to show you both sides of the knife.

HotCity Theatre’s production of Slasher is showing at the Kranzberg Arts Center in St. Louis, MO, Dec. 3- Dec. 18. You can find out more info regarding the production here.