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Review: Sink your teeth into 'The Hunted: Encore'

I confess. I was a devoted fan of TV’s "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"; it must have been Spike and that leather coat now that I think of it, but that’s another story. With Halloween around the corner, I was intrigued by the invitation to view “The Hunted: Encore.”

Written by Ned Donovan, and billed as “brawn meets Broadway," “The Hunted: Encore” is a musical, action and horror comedy (whew – a lot to encompass). A “rockin’ band” of vampire slayers is pitted against the top North American “sinister blood sucking syndicate,” all in New York City. There are two seasons with a total of 10 episodes, each installment complete with songs and running six to 10 minutes, which can be somewhat annoying when you want the episode to continue to flow and you have to hit the “next” button to continue. But it’s all so delightful, so well-paced and clever with wonderful tongue-in-cheek nods to actors and the theater world. (Photos provided)

By REGINA M

Written by Ned Donovan, and billed as “brawn meets Broadway," “The Hunted: Encore” is a musical, action and horror comedy (whew – a lot to encompass). A “rockin’ band” of vampire slayers is pitted against the top North American “sinister blood sucking syndicate,” all in New York City. There are two seasons with a total of 10 episodes, each installment complete with songs and running six to 10 minutes, which can be somewhat annoying when you want the episode to continue to flow and you have to hit the “next” button to continue. But it’s all so delightful, so well-paced and clever with wonderful tongue-in-cheek nods to actors and the theater world. (Photos provided)

The lyrics and music are clear, concise, catchy and witty. The special effects, so necessary when chopping off vampire heads, are of the proper amount and usage. And that entire ensemble – many have appeared on Broadway and television – can they ever sing, dance and fight with fluidity, grace and skill. The lead character, veteran vampire slayer Megan, is portrayed by the multi-talented, lithe and just amazing Megan Dorn, who runs the show. She is joined by her loyal sidekicks, from the hapless to the buff – the perfectly cast Ned Donovan, Adam Kaster, Andrew Mayer and Robert Chapin (interestingly the originator of the first long-running web series “The Hunted” available at www.thehuntedtv); and her evil enemy, the hipster cloneable vampire John Steven Gardner. Even the cinematographer, Garrett Kafchinski, gets lines off-screen. But you’ll have to wait until season two to meet The Queens, a very applaudable girl band composed of Liz Damuth, Amanda D’Archangelis, Carly Kincannon, Hannah Rose and Adenike Thomas. It must have been great fun casting this quirky production; there are no weak links, and the cast is exceptional with great chemistry. The entire cast seems focused in their energetic joy – portraying their sword fighting, stage combat, motorcycle riding, dancing and absurd characters whom you really do grow to care about.

Kudos to directors Crystal Annette and Ryan Gibeau and original music composers Marcus Thorne Bagala and Steve Goldshein. Some of the songs were written by some of the stars, Megan Dorn for one, and Preston Max Allen. It is understandable why “The Hunted: Encore” has won more than 50 awards. The show contains some adult language. Although the plot is uncomplicated and wonderfully easy to follow, there are several strong episodes: season one’s lament between Ned and Adam, “This Sucks,” and the extremely enjoyable season two’s “Subscribe, Rate, Review,” the blog of vampires John and Adam, who sing across a montage of topics such as the Big Fang Theory, An Inconvenient Tooth, 115 Things I Wish I knew at 15, and Staying Fit When your Bones are 100. Season two introduces us to The Queens of the Damned and their delicious song “It Only Takes One Bite.” You’re in for quite a treat. The ending may be oh-so predictable, but it is highly satisfactory. The last of The Queens announces via the vampire blog that “this isn’t over,” leaving the door wide open for a season three.

OK – it’s not Steppenwolf or the Goodman, but if the “tooth” be told, I say “fang” you for bloody good entertainment. • Regina Belt-Daniels misses theater, from Shakespeare to vampires, and live audiences. Theater has been in her blood since the first grade when Sister Mary Justia perhaps unwisely cast her as Mother Goose in the school play. IF YOU VIEW WHAT: "The Hunted: Encore" COST: Free INFO: watch.seeka.tv/the-hunted-encore; watch.thefantasy.network/tv-show/the-hunted-encore; www.streamingmusicals.com/#!/browse/tv/954/season/1/the-hunted-encore; thehuntedencore.com (Image provided)

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