Q Artistry's 'Bomb on a Bus' turns 'Speed' on its head

It's the perfect recipe for a thriller: a bomb squad specialist is tasked by a psychotic extortionist with keeping a Los Angeles city bus traveling over 50 mph, or it will explode.

But is it the perfect recipe for a musical?

Local playwright Paige Scott sure thought so, and after knocking the idea around for a few years, she decided to adapt the 1994 film "Speed," starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, into a musical parody. The plot follows the film version fairly closely, with only a few deviations from the original script.

The real parody is found in the songs, with titles like "My Life's the Bomb," "There's a Bomb on a Bus," "Shoot the Hostage," "Rebellion on the Bus" and "I Think I Might Fall in Love with You Today."

"The songs in this show are amazing," said Dave Ruark, who plays Dennis Hopper's (the psychotic extortionist) character in the film. "It's such a respectful treatment of the source material."

Logan Moore and Carrie Morgan take on the roles of Reeves and Bullock's characters. The two watched the film repeatedly to try and learn the mannerisms of the blockbuster duo.

"It's interesting to play the high-stakes along with the comedy and the love scenes," said Moore. "It's a ride, it really is."

Contact Star reporter Michael Anthony Adams at (317) 444-6123. Follow him on Twitter: @MichaelAdams317

Bomb on a Bus

• When: 8 p.m. March 28, 29 and April 4, 5.

• Where: Q Artistry, 5515 E. Washington St.

• Cost: $15-$18.

• Info: qartistry.org.