A killer new musical is coming to Houston — and we've got a first look.
"American Psycho" opens Tuesday as part of Houston Broadway Theatre at Hobby Center. The musical is based on the controversial bestseller by Brett Easton Ellis about a slick investment banker and '80s pop music aficionado who is secretly a serial killer. The book also inspired the 2000 film starring Christian Bale, Reese Witherspoon and Jared Leto.
Take a look at these never-before-seen rehearsal photos from the Wortham Theater Center in downtown Houston — an exclusive first look from the Chronicle.
"American Psycho" premiered in London in 2013 and had a brief Broadway run in 2016. It has since developed a cult following. The Houston production has been radically reworked with new music and lyrics by Duncan Sheik and a revised book by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa that includes new scenes and characters.
The new version continues to lean into the story's over-the-top violence and humor. Leave the kids at home for this one.
Robert Lenzi leads the cast as Patrick Bateman. Lenzi's Broadway credits include "Tuck Everlasting" and "Tina: The Tina Turner Musical," and he has also appeared in several M. Night Shyamalan films. The cast also includes Paul Schwensen ("The Book of Mormon" on Broadway) as Paul Owen; Tony nominee Tyce Green ("The Who's Tommy") as Timothy Price; Australian actress Kaye Tuckerman as Patrick’s mother; and recent Sam Houston State University graduate Ethan Achee as Sean Bateman.
"American Psycho" runs Tuesday-Sept. 14 at Zilkha Hall at the Hobby Center, 800 Bagby. Tickets are $30 and up at thehobbycenter.org.