An exciting new creative collaboration between independent film and independent theater begins this June at Fringe Festival with an adaptation of the indie cult classic comedy horror film Hell’s Kitty! The Los Angeles theatre company New Musicals Inc. (NMI) and the entertainment production company Smart Media have teamed up to present HELL’S KITTY: The Musical is a comedy, horror musical based on the original award- winning Hell’s Kitty web-series, comic book, and movie. There’s even a musical exorcism of a cat sung mostly in Latin, with “Exorcismus Feline,” and the theme song from the film sung in ensemble humorously titled “My Pussy’s Possessed.”
Unlike the movie, the musical is more of an unrequited love story involving a lonely, struggling writer, who blames his cat for his lack of inspiration, not knowing that his cat is possessed by someone from his past. The musical like the movie, which attracted horror fans and cat lovers alike, with its uncanny array of iconic cult figures from classic eighties horror films, hopes to develop the story line further by adding new musical performances, and expanding off of what began in the film with Dale Midkiff (Pet Sematary) performing a parody of Frank N’ Furter in drag. This time, however, the actors will really be singing!
Adapted for the stage by Hell’s Kitty writer/director and star, Nicholas Tana, HELL’S KITTY: The Musical is a collaborative contribution between Nicholas Tana and Alexa Borden, a Los Angeles based composer, who arranged most of the music while Tana contributed to the lyrics and melody. Other musical contributors include Richard Albert, a German based film composer, who also worked on the film and web-series, and Spanish born composer, Miguel Coiz. The song “Chainsaw Kitty,” written by Richard Albert and Nicholas Tana, was an American Tracks Winner for Best Song in a Film in 2018 and will appear in the musical to be directed by veteran musical theater director, Denis McCourt. The musical includes exciting cat choreography by a professional Broadway performer, John Paul Batista, who was in the musical CATS, with help from Melissa Carvajal.
Hell’s Kitty: The Musical
Audience
LemonMeter
Reviews: 5
Reviews
The songs are the shows major failing—most are just underscored dialogue. There is no imperative reason for these characters to burst into song when what they are saying/singing is so mundane. There are two major exceptions...
Recently, I drove 400 miles to see what I believe could easily be a mini version of a Broadway musical. I was not disappointed and stayed a second night to watch it again. The author, Nicholas Tana, caught the essence of Angel the cat lamenting she had no voice to express her feelings to Nick her keeper. The cast performed magnificently with singing, acting and choreography. If you want to see a great musical, Hell’s Kitty is a must. Its last showing is this coming weekend.
The dancers, the music, and the tempo of the show were wonderful.
I loved that while I was expecting a more gory show, it was done without a lot of “blood” and gore – just enough!
I truly cannot think of anything to improve this show. There may have been a rough spot (vocally) at some point, but hardly noticeable.
My overall impression - A fun, provocative, and surprisingly merry show!
The pace of this show surprised me. The cast was incredibly lively and seemed to be thoroughly enjoy themselves.
It’s definitely campy in it’s delivery, but how else to make Hell’s Kitty come alive?!
I truly enjoyed the “kitty” costumes of the cats – loved that they were the chorus and “energy” of their dance.
“Nick” was awesome, perfectly playing our hero – sorry forgot to get his name from our Saturday evening 6/21 show.
I was surprised! As a skeptic 🤨 I wanted to go show support for my friends show, except it was a lot bolder, SEXIER, and different than your average broadway play.
Even as a dog lover I found a lot of lessons and amusement by the variety in this play. Definitely worth my buck!
HELL’s KITTY – the musical!
Going to any Fringe theatrical production is an act of faith, is a gamble – the Russian roulette (if u will) of theatrical experiences. You could have a dud – u could have a masterpiece – the only guarantee is that u are supporting the theatrical arts community – and in the Los Angeles community of dreamers – the talented and less so are in abundance – and on full display these days of dedicated theatre going events.
Full disclosure: I am well acquainted with the project – have been an enthusiast of its creators – writer/producer Nicholas Tana & producing partner Denise Acosta – for quite some time – and am on the family side of friendships with them. So as biased as I am – I can honestly say objectively – go see HELL’s KITTY – as it is worthy of your time – and you of it’s entertainment.
Don’t be discouraged noting it’s 99 minute running time – nor if it’s generally late eve start time – this ride keeps your interest and delivers many catchy tunes.
Hell’s Kitty – as I left the theatre I greeted the producers with a huge smile and warm grasp ; “A + “ I said – very well done!
And I meant it! I was thrilled to see the price go from sketches on YouTube to a film on Amazon and now a musical version – with a feature film aspirations. Of course there are things … many more GREAT than REGRETTABLE – I could say about the experience – #FRINGEworthyHIT. – but Bedore I commit to any particulars, I need multiple viewings – excited to see it again!
Amazing show! I felt like I was on Broadway with the impressive arrangements and dance choreography. What starts as a writer's plight to find his muse ends up in a spectacle of sheer supernatural insanity, possession, possessiveness, murder and mayhem. At the same time, all this action is accompanied by humorous, sometimes sexy, dance numbers, some heartfelt songs, a musical exorcism, and even a pernicious spirit that brings a supernatural twist to the Fatal Attraction story! What a hoot!
The songs are the shows major failing—most are just underscored dialogue. There is no imperative reason for these characters to burst into song when what they are saying/singing is so mundane. There are two major exceptions...
Recently, I drove 400 miles to see what I believe could easily be a mini version of a Broadway musical. I was not disappointed and stayed a second night to watch it again. The author, Nicholas Tana, caught the essence of Angel the cat lamenting she had no voice to express her feelings to Nick her keeper. The cast performed magnificently with singing, acting and choreography. If you want to see a great musical, Hell’s Kitty is a must. Its last showing is this coming weekend.
The dancers, the music, and the tempo of the show were wonderful.
I loved that while I was expecting a more gory show, it was done without a lot of “blood” and gore – just enough!
I truly cannot think of anything to improve this show. There may have been a rough spot (vocally) at some point, but hardly noticeable.
My overall impression - A fun, provocative, and surprisingly merry show!
The pace of this show surprised me. The cast was incredibly lively and seemed to be thoroughly enjoy themselves.
It’s definitely campy in it’s delivery, but how else to make Hell’s Kitty come alive?!
I truly enjoyed the “kitty” costumes of the cats – loved that they were the chorus and “energy” of their dance.
“Nick” was awesome, perfectly playing our hero – sorry forgot to get his name from our Saturday evening 6/21 show.
I was surprised! As a skeptic 🤨 I wanted to go show support for my friends show, except it was a lot bolder, SEXIER, and different than your average broadway play.
Even as a dog lover I found a lot of lessons and amusement by the variety in this play. Definitely worth my buck!
HELL’s KITTY – the musical!
Going to any Fringe theatrical production is an act of faith, is a gamble – the Russian roulette (if u will) of theatrical experiences. You could have a dud – u could have a masterpiece – the only guarantee is that u are supporting the theatrical arts community – and in the Los Angeles community of dreamers – the talented and less so are in abundance – and on full display these days of dedicated theatre going events.
Full disclosure: I am well acquainted with the project – have been an enthusiast of its creators – writer/producer Nicholas Tana & producing partner Denise Acosta – for quite some time – and am on the family side of friendships with them. So as biased as I am – I can honestly say objectively – go see HELL’s KITTY – as it is worthy of your time – and you of it’s entertainment.
Don’t be discouraged noting it’s 99 minute running time – nor if it’s generally late eve start time – this ride keeps your interest and delivers many catchy tunes.
Hell’s Kitty – as I left the theatre I greeted the producers with a huge smile and warm grasp ; “A + “ I said – very well done!
And I meant it! I was thrilled to see the price go from sketches on YouTube to a film on Amazon and now a musical version – with a feature film aspirations. Of course there are things … many more GREAT than REGRETTABLE – I could say about the experience – #FRINGEworthyHIT. – but Bedore I commit to any particulars, I need multiple viewings – excited to see it again!
Amazing show! I felt like I was on Broadway with the impressive arrangements and dance choreography. What starts as a writer's plight to find his muse ends up in a spectacle of sheer supernatural insanity, possession, possessiveness, murder and mayhem. At the same time, all this action is accompanied by humorous, sometimes sexy, dance numbers, some heartfelt songs, a musical exorcism, and even a pernicious spirit that brings a supernatural twist to the Fatal Attraction story! What a hoot!