"Night of the Living Dead: The Musical"!!

[chanel]

Posted: 6/1/12 at 10:43am

And it's serious.


http://blogs.villagevoice.com/dailymusto/2012/06/night_of_the_li.php

[xoffender45]

Posted: 6/1/12 at 11:01am

I can't wait to hear the inevitable "They're Coming To Get You, Barbara" number, and its reprise.

[DEClarke]

Posted: 6/1/12 at 3:34pm

@xoffender45, I wish they had a "Like" button on BWW!

[newintown]

Posted: 6/1/12 at 3:45pm

A black Next To Normal? How thrillingly... groundbreaking?

Based on this one (admittedly slipshod) report, it sounds like this company takes themselves very seriously.

[trentsketch]

Posted: 6/1/12 at 4:57pm

I remember a Night of the Living Dead musical playing some hole in the wall converted theater space around Fall 2004 or so (maybe 2005). The twist ending was Barbara turning into a one bad mother and killing all the zombies. There was also an interlude where George W Bush was eaten by zombies while playing golf. I sure hope this isn't the same version.

[missthemountains]

Posted: 6/17/12 at 12:50am

After seeing this post, I was intrigued and saw this tonight. I have also tech directed and co-adapted a version of "Night Of The Living Dead" as well which compelled me to see it.

Overall, a really great and different take on the material. It is quite literally a chamber musical, with only six characters (Ben, Barbara, Harry, Helen, Tom, Judy - Harry and Helen's daughter, Karen, is played by a blanket in this version) and no zombies actually appear, which might be for the better, seeing as any camp was completely eliminated from this production. Although the score wasn't particularly memorable and it ran a bit long at parts - it was extremely suspenseful, well acted and creatively staged. It was such a shame that there were only a handful of people in the audience. It was true artistry at work and really worth seeing if you're around tomorrow at 3 for it's last performance. A great reminder that suspense and horror can work in theatre when in the hands of capable people. I intend on seeing their version of Next To Normal in the fall if I'm around.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/17/12 at 12:53am

I'd rather see an all Chinese musical version of MANNEQUIN.

[My Oh My]

Posted: 6/17/12 at 2:14am

missthemountains is involved with this production. Wild guess.

That review...can hardly be called a review.

And who on earth would want to see a totally serious "Night of the Living Dead" that isn't the original film? This is coming from someone who had a multi-year obsession with that darn flick (along with "Dawn of the Dead"). I didn't think they were the height of cinema then, I doubt they can successfully turn out a deep, serious musicalization of it without coming off terribly pretentious.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 6/17/12 at 8:40am

The twist ending was Barbara turning into a one bad mother and killing all the zombies."

Not that she killed all of the zombies, but as I recall that was the approach that was taken for the remake of the original movie.

[Tom5]

Posted: 6/17/12 at 9:57am

A better title would be, "Night Of The Living Dead: The Ballet".

[missthemountains]

Posted: 6/17/12 at 1:09pm

What would make you think I'm involved with this production? I stated that I have co-adapted my own a while back, but I was not at all involved in this one. Except for in the audience :)

[My Oh My]

Posted: 6/17/12 at 2:47pm

Apologies. I'm not usually that bitchy. Was on the rag, woke up on the wrong side of the bed, had something crawling up me hiney, was testy...you get the picture.

I'm usually very Polyanna!

Carry on.

[StephenGregory2]

Posted: 6/20/12 at 2:39am

Thank you, I have read this thread, and am the writer of the show. The version done in NYC was an experimental workshop, and not done under the best of circumstances. Sean MacLaughlin did the reading because he is my best friend. The show was not presented in it's best light due to budgetary constraints. No one should judge the show at full value or the performers to full value due to this. This piece was given a full workshop in DC in 2010, and was recieved so well that it will be done at several theatres across the country in the next 2 years. I think that it is easy to get catty on this page, but it is also important to remember that people's hopes and dreams are at stake in these offerings. Not just fun stuff to ridicule or dismiss. This show is 10 years of work, and was recieved quite well in DC. Anyone who has not seen it, and wants to dismiss it will, but the take on the material is handled in a way that most Evil Dead fans would not like. It isn't that we are pretentious and think we are above that view. I wrote this interpretation while we in DC were in the midst of the DC Sniper, post 9/11, during plastic sheeting and duct tape era, and the media was our oxygen. Those commentors who laugh at this idea can continue to do so. But I want to stress that this is a show that deals with anxiety of Americans due to media. I thank those commentors who have been positive, which is what new works need. I also want to stress that doing this show is my dream. I am thankful to those who support dreams and question motives of those who merely shoot down dreams. Maybe it isn't for you. But maybe there is someone who it speaks to. We have found that audience so far, and continue to build it. I am happy that it speaks to as many people as it has so far. I can only hope the show continues to grow. That is all that any writer can hope for. To those who have given positive feedback, thank you. xoxoSGS/MJC

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 6/20/12 at 10:42am

So THAT'S why they couldn't spring for a baby doll. That sheet she sang to was ridiculous. I really enjoyed some of the lyrics, particularly the opening number, but sadly the poor direction outweighed the material.

Good luck with the production.

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 6/20/12 at 12:29pm

The reason I joined this board was just so I could say this. I did enjoy this musical as a whole and the fact that it was done in a serious tone rather than the expected camp of Evil Dead or Toxic Avenger.

What I did not enjoy was iluvtheatertrash laughing and cracking jokes the ENTIRE time while sitting front row. I thought it was extremely juvenile and rude to the actors. You shouldn't go into this type of show expecting a full Broadway production so don't cackle about the use of a sheet for a baby. Get over it and pay attention.

[StephenGregory2]

Posted: 6/22/12 at 1:41am

Thank you for saying that. The entire cast was aware that there was someone in the front row laughing inappropriately, and was distracted and perturbed by this. Perhaps that is exactly what this human being wanted to do to the cast. I find this behavior tiresome, juvenile, and ridiculous. But good for this person. They clearly find their own personal behavior perfectly acceptable and think that they have all of the knowledge in the world. On their closing night, the cast had to sit through this behavior, and it was noticed. I am sure that this individual feels better knowing that. They were noticed. That is what they wanted. Congrats on that. What musical are you writing? Can I come and watch it and laugh in your actors faces too? Feel good about yourself, man. That was Class A behavior.

[My Oh My]

Posted: 6/22/12 at 3:54am

Dude, I get it that it's a really big deal to you but I am having trouble picturing a musical about zombies that takes itself seriously and is actually good.

I work with children in an elementary school and I do my job well and have done so for many years; I wouldn't categorize myself as a killer of dreams. If anything, I'm usually the mushy one who looks at all the bright places.

But I can't help giggling when I think of a dead serious "Night of the Living Dead" the musical.

I am not condoning the behavior mentioned above by another poster. But I have to give him the benefit of the doubt, as the thought of someone singing to a blanket makes me chuckle a little bit.

I hope we are all wrong and it's a fabulous show.

[StephenGregory2]

Posted: 6/23/12 at 2:41am

My Oh My - Hey there "Dude"..I am sorry if you are having trouble "picturing" a musical about zombies that takes itself seriously...I think that is where you are going off course. The poeple in the house don't know that what is outside attacking them are "zombies". I would agree that on the outside that it seems odd. But, if you know the music of Matt Conner, the brilliant composer of the piece, you would not have any doubts. You can giggle if you want. I am sure people have giggled at many a prospect of source material of a new show. As for singng to a blanket, I agree with you. However, if directed properly, and in the right context, it could have been heart-breaking. I have seen amazing direction limited to small props as these and have been devastated by the results. Chuckle all you want.
In the end, this musical is not about"zombies" but about people in a crisis scenario, and how they react. The people left in the house are THEMSELVES the living dead. I also teach children in elemantary school. And as in improv, the answer is always, "yes, and..."
So giggle away. I look at the film and try to put it in connotation of a live present day disaster scenario. It isn't so funny then. Because the nature of human beings isn't so great. Everyone is out for themselves always. And will do anything to get through the night. That is the point of the show. Nothing about that gives me "giggles".

[My Oh My]

Posted: 6/23/12 at 4:12am

Why so defensive? I'm obviously speaking from the perspective of someone who loved the melodramatic, cheesy moments of the original film. A film I estimate I watched close to a hundred times in the span of a year when I was a kid.

I especially dug Barb's monologue in which she goes nuts and then gets punched by the Black guy.

"I looked up and said, 'good evening,' and he GRABBED ME! HE GRABBED ME!!! And he ripped at me! He held me and he ripped at my clothes!!! *sob* And I screamed, 'JOHNNY'!!! Ooooh, help me! OOOoooooooh halp meeee!! And he wouldn't let go, he ripped at me! *sob* A-a-a-a-nd then Johnny came and uh, he raaan, and he, uh, he-he-he f-fought this man! And I got so afraid, I ran, and ran, and ran. And Johnny dint come." =(

Can't believe I still memorize that. Good times.

Dude (yes, dude! What's wrong with that? I don't mean it to be degrading, if that's how you're taking it), relax. I haven't seen the show so there's no way of telling if it blows or not or if it's an obscure gem. We should be free to react to the idea of a "Night of the Living Dead" musical. Doesn't mean we're right. At least I didn't claim to be and I sincerely hope the show is fantastic.

Updated On: 6/23/12 at 04:12 AM

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 6/27/12 at 2:33pm

Updated On: 6/27/12 at 02:33 PM

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 6/27/12 at 2:46pm

Updated On: 6/27/12 at 02:46 PM

[missthemountains]

Posted: 6/27/12 at 6:57pm

"Dude, I get it that it's a really big deal to you but I am having trouble picturing a musical about zombies that takes itself seriously and is actually good."

See the problem with this train of thought is that "Night of The Living Dead" is more than just a movie about zombies, like how "Carrie" is more than a misfit with telepathy or "Sweeney Todd" is more than just a murderous barber. While all the elements I mentioned are crucial elements in telling those stories, they are about more than that.

I will admit in your defense though that the 1968 film has been very dated and when I first saw it I was confused - I was intrigued, but confused. Simply because I felt like there was a story there I was missing. "Night...Living Dead" is at its core, a human survival story and how people react when they feel threatened or harmed. And THAT's what intrigued me about it, and what stuck with me about it. Then of course I watched the 1990 adaptation which I think captures that even better (but that's just me), and what led me to adapt the story myself for the stage which I recently tech directed/co-wrote in February.

Also because you haven't seen the musical and are just making broad assumptions, you would know that NO ZOMBIES ACTUALLY APPEAR IN THIS VERSION. This version is purely about the people in the house and is an extremely psychological and human take on the material. What stuck with me is during the end, all the characters sung about things they were going to miss, and Helen said she was never going to see her daughter graduate or get married and Ben kept singing how he was never going to see the ocean. They were all giving up because they knew their situation was hopeless. It made me think about if I were stuck in this situation, things I would want to do before I die. Something I hadn't thought about before.

As I said earlier I don't think the material is perfect. Even though Matt Conner is probably reading this, I don't think all of the songs are memorable and I think that some of the characters come off a bit flat, but other than that it was a really creative and intense view of the film that I feel like has not been captured on stage, and I look forward to this show's future.

Updated On: 6/27/12 at 06:57 PM