You don’t expect to come away from a Broadway show covered in blood, but that’s what some theatergoers are complaining about at “American Psycho.”
The musical, which is based on Bret Easton Ellis‘ cult 1991 novel and the subsequent film starring Christian Bale, began previews March 24 prior to an official opening April 21 at Broadway’s Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre.
However, guests are already saying the onstage serial killer horror is too realistic as they are getting splattered with (fake) blood when Benjamin Walker’s killer Patrick Bateman slays his victims on stage.
The soaking even prompted the Schoenfeld Theatre manager to send out a memo to staffers, according to the New York Post, which read: “Last night, a patron came to me to complain about being hit by the stage blood. Not only was her sweater stained, but also her Burberry cashmere scarf and more importantly (she cried when she showed it to me) her leather Louis Vuitton bag.
“I told her that we will pay for the cleaning of her items,” the note added.
A representative for the production did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
Ironically, the stage adaptation has a song with the line, “I will not touch a drop of red wine, don’t want to ruin the Calvin Klein.”
Set in ’80s Manhattan, the musical tells the story of Patrick Bateman, a young and handsome Wall Street banker with impeccable taste and unquenchable desires, according to the production’s website.
Patrick and his elite group of friends spend their days in chic restaurants, exclusive clubs and designer labels. But at night, Patrick takes part in a darker indulgence, and his mask of sanity is starting to slip …
Along with Walker (“Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson”), “American Psycho” also stars Tony Award winner Alice Ripley (“Next to Normal”), Helene Yorke (“Bullets over Broadway”), Tony nominee Jennifer Damiano (“Next to Normal”), and Drew Moerlein in his Broadway debut.