Zombies from the Beyond

Now, granted, there are shows that you would see in the paper or online and think they are doomed from the beginning. There are shows that you consider leaving at intermission once you see how bad the first couple of lines from Act I are. This is one of those shows. And this show changes the tune and grows on the audience before intermission. That's why people stay for Act II. Never take this show seriously - it's fun. It's light. It's Sci-Fi and very campy. Annie Cook did a fabulous job with the voices she was given. Well done to her and her piano playing! The set was ok, so props to Anthony Owen for that. The lights, however...way too much red, not enough light on Carrie Manuel's character in her Act I song "In the Stars" God bless Kevin Swisher playing Major Malone, but there was just a cringe in the audience anytime he had to sing. Anytime he had to move on stage. He's a great straight and comedic actor, but the musical thing - ah, no. Same goes for Sergio Estrada playing Rick Jones. High notes were not Sergio's forte. He looks great in a uniform, he had good comedic timing in Act I, but playing a Russian, he lost his accent often in Act II. Consistency. The bright and shining star on the stage is Ms. Charlene "Charlie" Osmanski. What a doll! What excellent comedic timing! What a fun character and she pulls it off without blinking an eye! Would have loved to see her smiling in the Act I dance number, "Blast Off Baby", but it's minor. Nothing, of course, can compare to Ms. Alli Simpson or Mr. Michael Austin - these two veteran professionals of Atlanta stage were brilliantly funny in their roles. Alli's costumes as Zombina were over-the-top and she worked them well! Michael's dance steps were devine, although - a note to the playwright, if that's where this would go - If you have a scene with two people and one is in tap shoes, and the other starts dancing without tap shoes - might wanna get her some tap shoes. It looks funny and the audience was waiting for those tapping feet to continue with the music. Trenton Corbett was a delight: a very good "straight man" in the comedy. Over-all, not too bad. Good story about a town and a UFO and a diva from outter space.

It could happen.