Photo Flash: Cowardly Scarecrow Theatre's MUSICAL OF THE LIVING DEAD Begins Tonight

The Cowardly Scarecrow Theatre Company, INC presents the return of Musical of the Living Dead in its fourth season, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Musical of the Living Dead is directed with book and lyrics by Marc Lewallen and Brad Younts, with music by Mary Spray. Performances are tonight, Oct. 10 through Saturday, Nov. 9. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the show below!

Voted "Best Musical" in 2012 and "Best New Play" in 2011 by the Chicago Reader, Musical of the Living Dead takes audiences on a rip-roaring journey beyond the grave with its satirical send-ups of classic zombie films and musical theater. The curtain opens on 10 survivors of a recent zombie apocalypse, trapped in a farmhouse and willing to try anything to escape. Writers Lewallen and Younts gleefully fulfill horror-film conventions in creating the melee of the zombie apocalypse as one watches the cast of memorable characters - all brought together seeking refuge from a ravenous horde of brain-eating (and dancing) zombies in this "completely original experience" (Chicago Journal).

The zombies and humans alike all take part in the memorable original songs inspired from such disparate sources as George Gershwin and Green Day that reveal "starting sophistication" - complete with bloody tap dancing, power ballads and street-smart rapping zombies.

Those intrepid souls who plan to sit in the front rows should be ready to be part of the "Splatter Zone," as the stage's invisible fourth wall may prove porous to blood and flying bits of brain as this hysterical, hummable zombie doomsday unfolds.

The cast and crew of Musical of the Living Dead includes:

Red Cast: Jill Valentine (Barbra Flowers),Quinton Guyton (Ben Blackman), Adam Yencho (Johnny Flowers), MAndy Whitenack (Helen Cooper), Billy Sullivan (Harry Cooper), Jonathan Hymen (Ted Dillard), Liz McArthur (Judy McCoy), Mary Spray (Trudy McCoy), Ashley Bush (Fran Davis), Vance Brinkerhoff (Steve Sherbotsky), Jacob Clausen (George), and Brittny Congleton (Understudy)

Green Cast: Danielle Wheeler (Barbra Flowers), Jaime Falu (Ben Blackman), Aaron Sarka (Johnny Flowers), Caitlin Jackson (Helen Cooper), AJ Wright (Harry Cooper), Grant Drager (Ted Dillard), Carrie Campana (Judy McCoy), Ashley Agbay (Trudy McCoy), Katie Johnston-Smith (Fran Davis), Vance Brinkerhoff (Steve Sherbotsky), Jacob Clausen (George) and Brittny Congleton (understudy).

Crew: Marc Lewallen (co-creator and director), Brad Younts (co-creator and director), Mary Spray (composer), Matt Mehawich (musical arrangements), and Carisa Barreca (choreography).

The Cowardly Scarecrow Theatre Company, INC presents the return of Musical of the Living Dead in its fourth season - this year at a new venue. The production will take place at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. and is directed with book and lyrics by Marc Lewallen and Brad Younts, with music by Mary Spray. Performances begin Thursday, Oct. 10 through Saturday, Nov. 9 on Thursdays at 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 and 11 p.m.Opening/Press night is Oct 10. All performances are recommended for ages 14 years and older. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at www.stage773.com, www.musicalofthelivingdead.com or by calling the Stage 773 box office at 773-327-5252. For more information, please visit www.musicalofthelivingdead.com.

Photo Credit: Michael Courier

Need more Chicago Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...