Show & Tell: Lorie Palkow of ‘Evil Dead’

Q: What was your first show?

A: I started performing in ninth grade in a school play. We did "Once Upon a Mattress." That was my first official show. ... (Laughs) In kindergarten, I was in a production of "Cinderella," as a horse.

Q: Did you find yourself drawn to performing back then?

A: Definitely. I did theater all through high school. I was in all the theater classes.

Q: You also were a military kid. Did theater give you a way to meet people as you moved around?

A: Oh yeah. A lot of my friends were theater people, and a lot of my really good friends now I met through theater. But after I graduated high school, I went on to college and didn't do theater that much because I was focused on getting my degree. Then I moved back home (to Amarillo, Texas) and one of my good friends was, "Why don't you come and audition for this Shakespeare (production)?"

Q: But performing in "Evil Dead: The Musical" is only one of your jobs?

A: I have a bachelor's degree in zoology and a master's degree in environmental science. ... My real job is, I'm an environmental compliance officer for a construction site.

Q: It must be fun switching from the precision of science to letting loose with "Evil Dead."

A: It is (laughs). And I love them both.

Q: Who do you play in the musical?

A: I play Cheryl. She's the sister of Ash, who's the lead character, and I go on a trip with him, kind of (as) the tag-along on the trip, and I get attacked and turn evil.

Q: Does your science background give you insight into playing a supernaturally evil character?

A: (Laughs) Kind of. Most people find that Cheryl starts out being really nerdy and the tag-along, and none of them really want her there. A lot of people are, like, "Oh, God, I hate her. Please turn into a demon." But I love her. I have such an affinity for nerdy Cheryl, because she's me. I was that kid in high school.

Q: Have any of your daytime job co-workers seen the show?

A: Yes, they have. Not that they would tell me if it was terrible, but none of them has said anything bad, so there you go.

Q: Do you hope to someday transition completely into performing?

A: I think that's the ultimate dream for every performer, to do that full time. (Laughs) It's like recess every day and getting paid.