This is a Review About Zombies

By Karen Weinstock

This is a Musical About Zombies (TIAMAZ) is a completely student-operated production that debuted last week and ran from May 29-31.

The musical was written by senior Celina Siegel and directed by senior Sophie Cash, with students filling most other typically adult roles, such as choreographer.

The show was performed in the lab theater, which gave it a very intimate feeling. There was a platform creating a second level and a live band on the second floor, hidden behind the curtains.

The stage crew wore shirts branded “Winchester Moving Co.,” allowing the audience to remain in the Winchester, New York, mindset even when they see the crew rearranging the set.

Upon entry, the audience must walk through a clean white picket fence, entering the world of the show. A hanging sign says “Welcome to Winchester” with a population count underneath.

The show begins with a funeral, where we meet the heroine, Georgia, played by junior Kristen Magliozzi, and the hero, Romero, played by senior Rowan Davis.

What struck me immediately about Romero was his mystery and resemblance to an Edward-Cullen-type character.

Romero and Georgia bond over the fact that they both hate life in Winchester and both love zombie movies.

We learn of Georgia’s plans to escape to New York University and Romero’s plans to save up for a lawyer for his mother, who was arrested for drug dealing.

As the show progresses, we learn of a zombie outbreak in Winchester. Jeff Knoedler or Joel Stembridge, depending on the night, comes barreling out, sporting bloody clothes and zombie makeup.

Casting the school’s principal in this role was a perfect way to engage the audience further as the story begins to take off.

After intermission, the audience returns to a now-bloody set; the white picket fence is no longer clean, the walls are stained with blood, and the Welcome to Winchester sign has a bloody reprint of the population count — now half the original.

Act two starts with an interactive moment, in which the audience is harassed by strong beams of light, which are meant to be a police crew tracking down zombies.

As the zombies begin to pile up in act two, the characters realize they must take down the population of zombies before it’s too late.

The resulting scene is a shoot down involving real gunshots, the first few come as a major surprise for the audience and evoke genuine reactions of shock and fear.

Meanwhile, Georgia and Romero are developing a strong love for each other. Through arguments and disagreements, the two always end up back together.

Romero and Georgia end up as the only two non-infected humans, and are left with the burden of killing all of the zombies.

Romero and Georgia have their ultimate love scene as they are dragging dead bodies, singing “I’m glad it’s you dragging bodies with me…”

The musical ends as Romero and Georgia are burning the remaining zombies. Georgia shares with Romero that she was infected earlier with the zombie virus and is soon going to change into one.

This is Georgia and Romero’s last moment before her impending death. They exchange a final kiss, and Georgia jumps into the flames to spare Romero the need to kill her once she completes the change.

The heart-breaking ending evoked tears from the audience, serving as a reminder that love is a sacrifice.

Siegel is working to copyright her script and music. It will be available online once she is granted the copyright.