BWW Preview: ZOMBIE ROCK 'n' Roll

The end of days, signified by a hotter-than-hellfire heat wave that persists despite the annoyance of local residents and the rise of the living dead to seek cultural acceptance from the living, has arrived. This Halloween, Santa Barbara can look forward to temperatures in the 80s and zombies singing the classics of the 80s (among other karaoke gems) at open mic night. Beginning on Wednesday, October 28th, local musician and theatre artist Rick Cipes stars in Zombie Rock at Center Stage Theater.

October theatre has been festive thus far--the SBCC Theatre Group is inviting guests of the October 31st performance of The Hound of the Baskervilles to dress in Victorian sleuthing or steam-punk attire; and Ensemble produced the murderous, musical rampage of a barber named Sweeney Todd. Murders and supernatural mysteries are certainly among Halloween favorites, but missing so far is the ghoulish and the ghastly, and the absurdity of a holiday in which we drunkenly revel in costume. Cipes's Zombie Rock perfectly fits that niche: it's a living-dead twist on the misunderstood monster story, told in the campy, comedic style of a theatrical rock musical.

Cipes, who penned this musical, is offering audiences a raucous, interactive theatre experience in which winning a game of zombie bingo might earn you a place onstage with the undead. Complete with wounds and melting flesh, these zombies have taken over open mic night in an attempt to gain tolerance from the living by rocking a wide range of popular music. Zombie Rock parties at Center Stage all Halloween week: October 28th--October 31st. For a comedic, high-energy way to start Halloween early, join the living dead! Featuring Rick Cipes, Valarie Mulberry, Michael White, Nina Rose Carlin, Issac Kirk, Brad Katz, Ryan Daly, and Steve Stockmail.

Zombie Rock
Written and Directed by Rick Cipes
October 28-30 at Center Stage Theater
10$ Tickets

www.zombierock.com