6/15/2023 0 Comments Preserving Humanity Amidst the Undead : A review of LOSING YOUR HUMANITY (A ZOMBIE MUSICAL)Losing Your Humanity is a charming new musical that explores a family's struggle to maintain their humanity in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. The talented cast brings the characters to life, immersing the audience in their emotional journey. The musical numbers are catchy and enhance the storytelling, providing insights into the characters' experiences. The comedic zombies add humor and levity to the show. The unexpected ending may divide viewers, but the overall experience is enjoyable and leaves a lasting impression. Overall this is a promising addition to the genre, combining humor, heartfelt moments, and thought-provoking themes.Production Team
Book by SPENCER JOHNSON and ARIELLA FIORE Lyrics by SPENCER JOHNSON Original Music by JEFF THOMSON Arrangements and Additional Original Music by ESIN AYDINGOZ Ariella Salinas Fiore, Director Rachel Ohnsman, Music Director Luke Smith, Choreographer Mikael Mattsson, Fight Choreographer Lauren Josephs, Assistant Director Spencer Johnson, Executive Producer Ariella Fiore and Philip McBride, Associate Producers Meghan Ripchik, Production Associate Venue: The Broadwater (Second Stage) 6320 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90038 TICKETS: Tickets can be purchased here Losing Your Humanity is a charming new musical that explores how a family grapples with the zombie onslaught and strives to preserve their humanity amidst the chaos. Residents in the small Midwest town of Sidie Hollow face a global brain virus outbreak that transforms people into violent zombies. This show takes the audience on a fun musical journey, delving into a family's challenges in a world infested by zombies. The talented cast breathes life into the characters, immersing the audience in their struggles and emotions. The production effectively portrays the delicate balance between maintaining humanity and succumbing to survival instincts. The story centers around 17-year-old Riley (Rachel Yoffe), who finds herself navigating the challenges of a world overrun by zombies. After a close encounter with zombies at school, while waiting for her preoccupied brother to pick her up, she realizes the dire situation they all face. With her father missing and her mother Michelle (Samantha Barrios) in denial, Riley faces difficult choices. The uncertainty surrounding her brother Kyle (Sam Intrater), who may be infected, adds to the ever-growing tension. Michelle, unable to accept her husband's absence, remains oblivious to the imminent danger, dismissing Riley's concerns as mere obsessions with social media and the town's homelessness issue. During a supply run to a local store, Michelle's skepticism is shattered when she meets Donovan (Michael German) and Hank (Jake Noren), old friends turned enthusiastic zombie hunters armed with their weapons of choice, including Hank wielding a sword that would make Michonne proud. Their encounter provides undeniable proof that the zombie threat is real. As the characters grapple with fear, loss, and their own humanity, they are forced to confront the challenge of navigating this new world while preserving their sense of self. The music is catchy and funky, with talented voices delivering the songs. The musical numbers further enhance the storytelling, particularly standout performances like the Zom-semble's rendition of "Free of Heartbreak." These songs entertain and provide deeper insights into the characters' emotions and experiences, enriching the overall narrative. The zombies in the production, performed by the Zom-semble, are a delightful addition. While they lean more towards the comedic side of the zombie spectrum, similar to "Shaun of the Dead" rather than the intense horror of "28 Days Later," they bring much-needed humor and levity to the story. The interactions with the zombies offer lighter moments amidst the chaos, leaving the audience delighted whenever they stumble onto the stage. Although the show's concept and execution are commendable, there is the occasional feeling of cramped musical numbers due to the limitations of the small space, particularly at the Broadwater Second Stage venue. Despite this, the design team does an excellent job transforming the space and maximizing its potential. However, considering the scope of the production, one can't help but imagine the added impact and possibilities a larger venue would provide more space for the performers to fully express themselves and for the audience to fully immerse themselves in the world of the musical. Additionally, the unexpected curveball ending may polarize viewers as it deviates from the anticipated narrative trajectory. Expanding the story to a full two-act musical could potentially provide more time for character development and prevent certain moments from feeling rushed. Overall, Losing Your Humanity is a fun and engaging musical that immerses audiences in a thrilling journey through a zombie outbreak. With its talented cast, compelling storytelling, and exploration of human resilience, the show leaves a lasting impression. Despite some minor setbacks and an unconventional ending, the overall experience is enjoyable, making it a promising addition to the genre. The musical successfully combines humor, heartfelt moments, and thought-provoking themes, reminding us of the importance of preserving our humanity in the face of adversity.
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