Johanna Spencer isn’t really a fan of horror movies, so it might seem odd that she’s directing the production of “Evil Dead the Musical” that’s playing at Albany Civic Theater.

It’s that word – “musical” – that helps unlock the mystery.

“The Evil Dead” movie and its first two sequels – “Evil Dead 2,”and “Army of Darkness” – have become cult favorites over the years in large part because of director Sam Raimi’s skill at mixing horror and comedy.

Spencer recalls watching the first “Evil Dead” movie – probably on a VHS tape in college – and being taken by the comic touches, slapstick moments and campy feel of the movie. She didn’t necessarily think, “This would be a great musical” – but somebody did, and when Spencer found out about “Evil Dead the Musical,” she started thinking about directing the show.

In the first “Evil Dead” movie, five college students vacationing at an isolated cabin in the woods accidentally unleash a group of demons four of them become possessed by the demons, leaving only Ash (played by Bruce Campbell in the movies) to fend them off in increasingly gory ways. “Evil Dead 2,” which serves as both a remake of the original and a sequel, features the iconic bit of business in which Ash’s hand becomes possessed and tries to kill him; Ash uses a chain saw to decapitate the hand and, of course, replaces his missing hand with the chain saw.

“Evil Dead the Musical” adds singing and dancing to the mix.

As soon as Spencer learned about the musical version, she sent out for a copy of the script. She wasn’t disappointed: “It is hilarious, and it’s right down my lane,” she said.

And she has advice to people who might have second thoughts about attending the musical because they’re not fans of horror flicks: “Oh, this is not scary. I mean, there are moments that lead you up to (what appears to be a frightening moment), but actually it’s a moment that’s leading to a punchline, usually.”

Of course, there is lots of fake blood – so much so that, as is the case with other productions of the show, the first few rows of the theater are designated as the “splatter zone.” You pay extra to sit in the splatter zone.

You don’t wear your best clothes.

“I would suggest that folks wear clothes that they don’t mind if they get stained — old clothes or old T-shirts or something,” Spencer said, adding that attendees in the splatter zone will be provided with a white T-shirt they can wear over their clothes. “That’ll protect their clothing somewhat.”

Spencer said rehearsals for the show have been enormous fun, but it works best if the actors play the show relatively straight: “I come from a world of acting (in which) you always play it straight within parameters – within the world that you’re in. So we’re playing it straight as (the actors in) ‘The Evil Dead’ played it straight in the movie.”

But, she added, the show also includes plenty of moments when the cast breaks the fourth wall by offering asides to the audience.

And she’s offered to her “Evil Dead” cast the same advice she frequently gives to her casts: “As I usually do with most actors, I would say, you could never go too big. I will tell you if it’s too big.”

But cast and crew are having a good time with the show, she said.

“They just really seem to enjoy it. … They’ve found the freedom to just loosen up and play with it.”

And that sense of fun can be contagious for audiences.

“I think people will just have a good time” watching the show, Spencer said – “and they may be surprised at how funny it is.”

If You Go

What: “Evil Dead the Musical,” a production of Albany Civic Theater.

When: Friday and Saturday, Sept. 27 and 28, and Oct. 4-5 and 10-12 at 7:30 p.m. Matinees are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 29 and Oct. 6.

Tickets: Splatter Zone seats cost $44. Otherwise, tickets are $21 for adults, $17 discounted. Click here for ticket information.

Cast:

Ash: Ant
Linda: Lucy Elgin
Cheryl: Ashlee Nunez
Annie/Shelly: Jessica Moyer
Scott: James Murray V
Ed: Olivia Pereyra
Jake: Maximilian Corneliusen
Fake Shemp: Hunter O’Guinn Briggs
Demons/Blood Dogs: Llewyn, Jay Kendall, Red, Luke Bowden, Bear Simonet