Overview

Synopsis

In the satirical rock musical The Toxic Avenger, the quiet town of Tromaville, New Jersey, is plagued by corporate corruption and toxic waste. Melvin Ferd the Third, an awkward but passionate environmental scientist, vows to clean up his hometown and expose the polluters. However, his crusade makes him a target of the town’s corrupt mayor, who orders her goons to dispose of him. After being dumped into a vat of toxic waste, Melvin is transformed into a hideous yet powerful mutant superhero known as The Toxic Avenger—affectionately nicknamed “Toxie.”

Embracing his new identity, Toxie sets out to rid Tromaville of crime and corruption while navigating his relationship with Sarah, a kind but quirky blind librarian who falls for the man beneath the monster. Along the way, he must battle villains, confront his own insecurities, and ultimately face off against the mayor in a campy, action-packed showdown. The story blends outrageous comedy, environmental themes, and heartfelt romance, all underscored by David Bryan’s high-energy rock score.

Show Information

Book
Joe DiPietro
Music
David Bryan
Lyrics
Joe DiPietro , David Bryan
Based on the Play/Book/Film
The musical is based on the 1984 cult-classic film The Toxic Avenger produced by Troma Entertainment.
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
2008
Genres
Comedy, Horror
Settings
Period
Time & Place
A fictional, pollution-ridden town of Tromaville, New Jersey, in the present day.
Cast Size
small
Orchestra Size
Rock Combo
Dancing
Some Dance
Licensor
Music Theatre International
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Professional Theatre, Diverse Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Small Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Melvin Ferd The Third / The Toxic Avenger

Lead

Male

Tenor

Sarah

Lead

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano

Mayor Babs BelGoody and Ma Ferd

Lead

Female

Alto, Mezzo-Soprano

Black Dude

Supporting

Male

Tenor, Baritone

White Dude

Supporting

Male

Tenor, Baritone

Songs

Act I

Act II

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number.

Monologues

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

    Anti-hero

    An anti-hero is a central character who lacks traditional heroic qualities such as morality, bravery, or idealism. Often flawed and complex, anti-heroes appear frequently in modern drama and literature.

    Camp

    Camp is a performance style that celebrates exaggeration, theatricality, and deliberate bad taste for comic or satirical effect. Often marked by irony, flamboyance, and over-the-top characterizations, camp turns the absurd into entertainment. In theatre, it invites audiences to laugh both at and with the performance’s outrageousness.

    Cult Classic

    A cult classic is a play, film, or musical that develops a devoted and passionate following despite (or because of) its unconventional, offbeat, or low-budget qualities. These works often gain popularity through word-of-mouth and fan enthusiasm rather than mainstream success. In drama, cult classics are celebrated for their uniqueness, eccentricity, and enduring subcultural appeal.

    Grotesque

    Grotesque refers to a style of theatre that blends the bizarre, distorted, or monstrous with comic or sympathetic elements. It often exaggerates physical or emotional traits to provoke both laughter and discomfort in audiences. In drama, the grotesque highlights the strange or unsettling while still revealing human vulnerability and truth.

    Parody

    Parody is a comedic imitation of a style, genre, or work that exaggerates its features for humorous or satirical effect. In theatre, it playfully mocks conventions, characters, or cultural icons while still relying on audience recognition of the original. Parody can both celebrate and critique its subject, often blurring the line between homage and ridicule.

    Rock Musical

    A rock musical is a form of musical theatre that incorporates the rhythms, instrumentation, and energy of rock-and-roll into its score. Emerging in the late 1960s with shows like Hair, rock musicals often bring a contemporary, rebellious edge to the stage. They blend theatrical storytelling with the raw power of popular music to attract younger and more diverse audiences.

    Satire

    Satire is a dramatic style that uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to criticize human behavior, social institutions, or political systems. In theatre, it highlights flaws and hypocrisies through wit and parody, encouraging audiences to laugh while also reflecting on serious issues. Satire can range from lighthearted comedy to biting social commentary, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.

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Guide Written By:

Jason Engleman

Jason Engleman

Humming show tunes day and night.