Matthew Saldivar and More Complete Cast of The Toxic Avenger

Casting is complete for The Toxic Avenger, a new musical adaptation based on the 1985 cult movie. Among the performers who'll join previously announced star Nancy Opel is Matthew Salvidar The Wedding Singer, Grease. Featuring book and lyrics by Joe DiPeitro I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and music by David Bryan from the rock band Bon Jovi, the show starts previews on March 18 at New World Stage, with opening night set for April 6, directed by Tony Award-winner John Rando.

Rounding out the cast is Sara Chase, Nick Cordero and Demond Green. Opel and Green also starred in the musical’s world premiere at the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, New Jersey last fall, while Ms. Chase appeared in the initial workshop production.

Matthew Saldivar appeared on Broadway last year as Kenickie in Grease, and originated the role of Sammy in The Wedding Singer. His other credits include productions with LAByrinth Theatre Company, Classic Stage Company, NY Theater Workshop, Theater for a New Audience, The Guthrie Theater, Long Wharf Theater, Public Theater, NY Shakespeare Festival, New York Stage and Film, The Drama Department and The 52nd Street Project. On film, he's appeared in Tony and Tina's Wedding, Year of the Fish and Boiler Room. He's also a member of the band, The Petersons.
 

Sara Chase most recently starred in and produced the hit sketch comedy Jen and Angie at the Upright Citizen's Brigade Theatre in NY and LA. Her off-Broadway and regional credits include Slut and Godspell Paper Mill Playhouse. Film/TV credits include The Winning Season, Uncertainty, Little Black Book. Law & Order, As the World Turns and Guiding Light.

Nick Cordero will make his New York stage debut in The Toxic Avenger. In his native Canada, Nick has been seen as Che in Evita, Jamie in The Last Five Years and Tony in Tony and Tina’s Wedding. His other credits include Equus, Blood Brothers, City Of Angels and Closer Than Ever.

Demond Green’s regional credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream McCarter Theatre/ Paper Mill Playhouse, Two Gentlemen of Verona Baltimore CenterStage, The Wiz La Jolla Playhouse, and The 25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee Barrington Stage/ North Shore. He also performed in the European Tour of Hair. TV/Film credits include Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Peep Show.

Set in the mythical town of Tromaville, Exit 13B off the New Jersey Turnpike, The Toxic Avenger tells the story of Melvin Ferd the Third, an aspiring earth scientist who’s determined to clean up the town’s burgeoning toxic waste. After being tossed into a vat of radioactive goo, however, he emerges as New Jersey’s first superhero: a seven-foot mutant freak, armed with superhuman strength, a heart as big as Newark and bigger plans like saving New Jersey, ending global warming and wooing Sarah, the prettiest, blindest librarian in town.

The design team will be announced shortly.