There might be very little about the upcoming rock musical at Sea Glass Stage Company that is typical fare for the Lowcountry. And therein lies the wonderful opportunity for patrons to sit back and enjoy the onstage antics of a nerdy guy who is trying to save the world from climate change, falls in love, gets bullied, then mutates into a green monster trapped in a toxic dump site at Exit 13B off the New Jersey Turnpike, still trying to save the world and impress a girl – and all the while, everyone is poking fun at the Garden State.
Of course, the story is deeper than the vats of green gloop representing toxic waste. After all, it’s a love story. This is The Toxic Avenger.
The cast of The Toxic Avenger includes, clockwise from left, Dan Franke as a Dude, Mark Erickson as Melvin Ferd the Third, Meagan Berger as Sarah, Kyle Price as a Dude, and Lily Beck as Mayor Babs Belgoody.
Alex Clark, director of this summer spectacle, understands why some folks might think the show choice was a bit far-fetched, but she had good reasons. “I chose this show because I felt it was so similar to The Great American Trailer Park Musical (produced by Sea Glass Stage in the summer of 2024 and very well received), in the style of music and the style of humor, and the fact that it’s kind of raunchy but fun,” she said. “The reason people loved Trailer Park was because it was about Southern people in Florida, and that was relatable to our audiences. I think our audience members, many of whom are from New Jersey and New York, will relate to the way the characters poke fun at their states. I think they will identify with the show in the way that people who are from here were able to identify with Trailer Park.”
This musical is based on Lloyd Kaufman’s 1984 cult classic movie – and subsequent movies and a comic book – with the same title. It was written in 2008 by Joe DiPietro, with music by David Bryan, a founding member of rock band Bon Jovi. The pair co-wrote the lyrics. DiPietro, who is a native of New Jersey, by the way, also wrote I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, which Sea Glass produced earlier this year.
The Toxic Avenger is described as a comical take on several unrelated themes, such as politics, superheroes, and pollution. The musical made its off-Broadway debut in 2009 and won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical. It has since been performed around the world.
Melvin Ferd the Third (Mark Erickson) is an earth scientist determined to rid his town of toxic waste.
Melvin Ferd the Third is an earth scientist determined to clean up his hometown of Tromaville, New Jersey, and its toxic dump site. But the corrupt mayor sends her cronies to stop him. Her goons drop Melvin into a barrel of the green waste and leave him to die. However, he emerges from the glop transformed into a hideous mutant, The Toxic Avenger, and is more driven than ever to rid the town of the mess.
Somewhere along the way, the freakish monster falls in love, escapes repeated attempts on his life, goes a bit crazy, and finally regains his confidence to help make his world better.
Clark said the cast is loving the music, because it’s “super rocky with an ’80s flair” and includes some funky tunes as well. Bob Adams, who has served as music director for several previous Sea Glass productions, returns to lead the cast in learning and polishing the music for this show.
“Bob, as usual, is great to work with,” Clark said. “He is very detailed in making sure the music sounds good.”
Mayor Babs Belgoody (Lily Beck) hires goons to do her dirty work.
There is also a fair amount of dancing, which has been choreographed by Jodi Layman, a well-known and much-loved director and choreographer in local community theatre circles.
“I am super excited to have her because I thought her direction and choreography of Newsies was spectacular,” Clark said. “She has brought a lot of life and vision to this show.”
This is Layman’s first show with Sea Glass Stage.
Sarah (Meagan Berger) calls a friend to talk about her new boyfriend as Shinequa (Dan Franke) listens in.
“The cast members are all returnees, which is fun because they must be enjoying something here if they keep coming back,” Clark said. “I’ve worked with all five of them before, so everyone kind of feels like family, and we all have chemistry with each other.”
Melvin Ferd the Third, who is transformed into the Toxic Avenger, is played by Mark Erickson, a Sea Glass Stage veteran. He appeared most recently in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change – in which he played numerous characters. For this show, he plays “a character and a half,” Clark said. “Mark’s voice is really getting to shine with these ballads.”
Meagan Berger plays just one character – Sarah, the blind librarian who befriends Melvin. “Her voice is so perfect for this role,” Clark said. Berger performed in the Sea Glass productions of The Great American Trailer Park Musical and The Great Gatsby.
Lily Beck takes on the dual roles of Mayor Babs Belgoody and Ma Ferd, Melvin’s mother. The dichotomy of good and evil is obvious, and Beck plays both well. She also makes a cameo appearance as a nun. “I’ve never seen Lily in such a comedic role, but she is absolutely hilarious,” Clark said. Beck made her Sea Glass debut in Next to Normal in 2025.
Dan Franke and Kyle Price round out the cast, playing a total of 27 characters plus a voice over. “These roles are perfect for them because they’re both so versatile. They really can morph into whatever character they need to be,” Clark said. “The height difference is hysterical and they’re both bald, which makes it perfect for all the wig changes.”
Franke has performed in four Sea Glass productions: Next to Normal, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Great Gatsby, and Christmas Belles. He directed I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change earlier this year.
Price previously appeared in The 39 Steps, Spelling Bee, and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, in which he played multiple roles. In The 39 Steps, he was the only actor in the cast who played a single role.
The Toxic Avenger will run the company’s typical summer show schedule July 9-26, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets may be purchased at sgstage.org.
Sea Glass Stage at Coligny Theatre is located at 1 N. Forest Beach Drive, Unit I-5, across the breezeway from Life Is Good.