​American Psycho The Musical: A Bloody Good Time

Fun Fact: Tom Cruise is actually featured in Bret Easton Ellis' 1991 novel, American Psycho, and that same hilarious scene makes it into the Broadway musical. For the 2000 film adaptation, Christian Bale based his performance of Patrick Bateman on Tom Cruise after watching him on David Letterman; stating “He just had this very intense friendliness with nothing behind the eyes.”

Best Bits: The cast performs a haunting, choir like version of Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight", providing an eerie backdrop to the first time the audience gets to witness Bateman’s monster in full effect.

Standout Actor: Although Benjamin Walker's amazing performance is the foundation that carries this entire show, I was pleasantly amused by Theo Stockman's over the top performance as Timothy Price, Bateman's work colleague and friend. It was difficult to contain my loud bursts of laughter when he was on stage.

Target Audience: This musical is basically a love letter to anyone who loved the book or film. I feel that it would be hard for someone to truly appreciate the show if they arent at least familiar with the story. Or, that's the feeling I got when the person beside me couldn't understand why I laughed so hard when Patrick presented his bone toned business card. Also, probably not the best show for children.

Morning After Effect: Even though the second act slipped a bit for me, I left the theater feeling thoroughly entertained… and with a strange need to listen to Huey Lewis and the News.

On stage, a sleek, colorless, New York City bachelor's pad sits behind a floor to ceiling glass curtain. The lights go down and the sound of a heartbeat thumps through the speakers. Dry ice creeps its way along the stage towards the audience only to be blocked by the glass. The sinister fog slithers its way up the glass until all we can see is a hazy, thick, white murk. All of a sudden a person comes running through the haze, banging on the glass for help. Someone is behind her. As the predator slinks closer to it's victim, weapon raised and ready to strike, everything goes black. A scream can be heard as light projects the words “American Psycho” across the glass. The audience cheers.

That was just the beginning of the wild and disturbing ride. American Psycho: The Musical follows Patrick Bateman, a privileged, seemingly put together narcissist who works in Murders and Executions. I'm sorry… I mean Mergers and Acquisitions. Patrick's luxurious, yuppie lifestyle seems to have one extreme flaw: His thirst for murder, dismemberment, and blood.

When we first meet Patrick, he's emerging from a tanning bed looking like a perfectly sculpted, chic Frankenstein. He jumps into a monologue about his routine and possessions. Right from the beginning, its clear that all this character wants to do is fit in. He's like a visitor from another planet immersing himself in popular culture and anything considered the best of the best just to be a high ranking member of the it crowd... whatever that may be. Actor Benjamin Walker does an outstanding job of riding out the Dr. Jekyll moments. He hits you with the Mr. Hyde out of nowhere and draws it back in just as quickly, leaving you wondering, “Did he just say what I think he said?”

Award winning composer Duncan Sheik delivers a clever mix of classic 80's tunes and original music to narrate the homicidal tale. If I had to describe the feel of the play I'd have to say, "80's pop culture explosion". Everything from the set and costumes to the lighting and sound was stylized, colorful, synthesized, and robotic. Like one giant "I want my MTV!" music video. All of it working together perfectly to create the materialistic world that Bateman drowns himself in.

American Psycho is well on its way to becoming one of those cult favorites. I remember reading somewhere that people started showing up dressed as Patrick Bateman, wearing his famous 'killer raincoat' and gloves - acts reminiscent of other musical, murderous tales like Rocky Horror and Little Shop of Horrors. I still feel that it could use a little more fear; like the opening fog scene. I honestly found the show more of a comedy than anything. Maybe that was the point. Even with that being said, the show is fun, clever and sharper than Patrick's axe.

Reviewed by makia Martin

Sunday 29th May 2016
Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre Theatre, New York City
Find me on Twitter: @newyorktheatre

View our show pages for more information about American Psycho, Gerald Schoenfeld Theater.