Almost as far off-Broadway as you can get...

Twelfth Night of the Living Dead

Playwright:  Brian Smallwood

Stray Cat Theatre, Tempe, Arizona

Hilarious mash-up of Shakespeare and Romero performed by non-equity community rep in university town.  Even before the lights went down, front row audience covered themselves in plastic sheeting as if Gallagher and his watermelons were expected.  Only a single splotch of fake blood on my pants in Row D, but otherwise it was all over the place.

From beginning as each character is bitten and slowly becomes a Zombie, his or her precise Shakespearean presentation is first interrupted by groans and shreeks, and then is lost to Zombie-speak.  Viola's speech to a suitor's dismembered hand was memorable.

Whatever they used to simulate intestines was effective and comical.

This play was first produced off-Broadway several years ago.  Is actually great theater, as engaging as some, more renowned farces I've seen.  Clever.

Attended April 2010.

www.straycattheatre.org