2013: Finding Love in the Zombie/Cannibal Apocalypse
2013: Finding Love in the Zombie/Cannibal Apocalypse
By Jack McGrath
Directed by Chuck Dent
Starring Adam DelMedico and Julie Snyder
Playwrights’ Round Table
Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival – Blue Venue</strong>
Zombies or cannibals, paper or plastic, Democrats or Republicans – pick on or the other, the results are pretty much the same in the long run. In this campy beyond camp love story not even the 4th wall can prevent the Big Bad from getting on stage. The Zombies are heading down I-4 like demented Bike Week rejects and the Cannibals are streaming north from the parks because they can’t afford the $10 hamburgers. That hasn’t stopped Bruce (DelMedico) from dropping into the Umbrella Cafe, it’s run by nearly broke Glenda (Snyder). He’s in favor of barring the doors and reliving a video game; she’s desperate for customers and hopes the zombies are big tippers. It’s the End of the World As They Know it, and the juke box is stuck on R.E.M. so you don’t forget. Brad and Stephanie (Derek Smith and Jenny Ornstein) drop in for a nosh and a passive aggressive argument. She lets everyone know she’s not wearing and undies while he might needs some quiet time to “discover himself”. Soon enough a cannibal (Joel Perez) rushes in making Spork jokes and double entendre-ing the cast to death, then a Goth zombie chick (Jennifer Rea) ambles in and slowly attempts to seduce Glenda. You know the rest; it takes NRA toting “Zucchini Man” (Sam Waters) to save the day.
While the plot is thin the jokes are slathered on thicken and even if don’t get why Zucchini man keeps calling Glenda “Barbara” (I didn’t) you have a great time. DelMedico is at his boyish best while Perez’s Cannibal ought to run for mayor. Like any good Adult Swim show, everyone has an obsession and was uninterested in anyone else obsession – Mr. Cannibal lectured us on economics, Goth Zombie explained why she loves black make up, and Glenda struggles to sell more than a cup of coffee to the picky eaters in house. “2013” is a zippy, silly show, and is certainly a horror comedy you should visit.
Disclaimer: Mr. Gauze is involved with Playwrights’ Round Table and may not be completely objective in this particular commentary. In fact, the show might be a complete dud with jokes that don’t work, props that fall apart and actors that can’t remember lines. It’s not, but it’s a conflict of interest possibility and must be disclosed.
More information on Playwright’s Round Table may be found at http:\www.ThePRT.com
This show is part of the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival. Tickets and other information may be found at http:\www.OrlandoFringe.org
