Sunnydale might have crumbled into the ground in the final scene of the seven-year phenomenon that was Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but DC’s Avalon Theatre is taking fans of the TV series back to a happier time of singing, dancing, and spontaneous human combustion.
“Once More, With Feeling” is the brilliant, Emmy-nominated musical episode from Buffy’s sixth season. All of the songs were written and composed by the show’s creator, Joss Whedon, and sung by the cast, including Sarah Michelle Gellar, Alyson Hannigan, and James Marsters. The episode, a fan favorite, features a demon who casts a spell over Buffy’s fictional hometown of Sunnydale, California, making all of its residents sing out their secrets and dance uncontrollably until they burst into flames.
“Once More, With Feeling” hits the Avalon’s big screen Friday and Saturday nights for a sing-along event, à la The Rocky Horror Picture Show, that’s been playing all over the country. Buffy fans can come out of hiding and take pride in their love of the show through a rowdy, interactive musical evening. Everyone is given a goodie bag of monster finger puppets, plastic fangs, kazoos, and more to be used throughout the hourlong episode. And all are expected to sing, laugh, cheer for the Scoobie Gang, boo the baddies, and tell Dawn, Buffy’s kid sister, to shut up! (Dawn’s never been a favorite of the show’s audience.) Costumes are “soooo encouraged,” says Clinton McClung, the show’s creator.
Saturday night is sold out, so act quickly to get tickets for Friday. The show starts at 11:30 PM, and tickets ($12) are sold only at the box office. The Avalon is located at 5612 Connecticut Avenue, NW. Call 202-966-3464.
The Avalon has confirmed that the Buffy sing-along will return to Washington in mid-November. Check www.theavalon.com for updates.
