Night of the Living Dead Live

A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Night of the Living Dead Live

Full-Length Play, Dark Comedy  /  2w, 4m

George A Romero’s NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD™ LIVE
Written by Christopher Bond, Dale Boyer and Trevor Martin
Created by Christopher Harrison and Phil Pattison

Based on the original film Night of the Living Dead™ written by George A Romero and John Russo and produced by Russ Streiner
First produced by Nictophobia Films in Toronto in 2013
Recorded sound effects and music by Jamie Lamb and Mike Trebilcock

Night of the Living Dead™ Live is a comedic tribute to the historic 1968 film and is the official authorized stage production of the film. 

Night of the Living Dead Live

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 4m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Adaptation (Stage & Screen), Parody/Spoof
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Teen (Age 14-18)

Details

Summary

Six strangers in a lonely farmhouse, surrounded by brain-eating zombies – what could go wrong?

Night of the Living Dead™ Live is a fun and hilarious re-imagining of George A. Romero’s legendary classic. Set in 1968 and presented in all black and white, it literally feels like the film has been brought to life and placed onstage. The play lovingly examines the movie itself, the period in which it was made, and the film’s undying influence on the horror genre.

Night of the Living Dead™, the film, was produced at a time of incredible social and political upheaval. The film was met with controversy for featuring an African American protagonist and realistic horror images; and yet, possibly the most controversial element to Night of The Living Dead™ was the ending… Everybody dies! Even the hero doesn’t survive.

More than just a recreation of the story, the play celebrates the history and influence of the movie. Through a series of multiple endings, the characters are all faced with different issues and challenges while desperately trying to survive the night. However, their contrasting personalities and agendas always seem to prevent the group from working together. Which leaves us all wondering: Could anyone survive a night of the living dead? 

There is an optional Music/Media fee of £25 per performance or £80 per production, whichever is greater.

History
Night of the Living Dead Live! premiered at the Theatre Passe Muraille in Toronto, Ontario in April 2013 under the direction of Christopher Bond. The cast included Darryl Hinds, Mike “Nug” Nahrgang, Gwynne Phillips, Andrew Fleming, Dale Boyer and Trevor Martin.
Keywords

BARBRA – Early/mid-twenties, woman. Traditional and put-together at first, but as the events unfold, digresses into a child-like state.
BEN – African American man in his late twenties. A “leading man” type. Heroic. Outspoken. Protective of Barbra.
TOM – Young man. Handsome. Bright-eyed. Judy’s boyfriend.
JUDY – Young woman. Tom’s girlfriend. Girl next door.
HARRY – Late thirties. Curmudgeonly, working-class man. Weaselly and antagonistic. Helen’s husband and Karen’s father.
HELEN – Late thirties. Dry, world-weary homemaker. Unamused wife of Harry. Mother of Karen.
CHIEF MCCLELLAND – Late thirties, small-town sheriff. Folksy and pragmatic.
VINCE – Chief McClelland’s young deputy. Local volunteer. A little idealistic. Obedient to the chief.
KAREN – Nine-year-old daughter of Harry and Helen.

Note: The original production featured a cast of six actors, with the following doubling:

BEN / VARIOUS
HARRY / VARIOUS
BARBRA / KAREN / VARIOUS
TOM / JOHNNY / VARIOUS
HELEN / JUDY / VARIOUS
CHIEF MCCLELLAND / WHITE BEN / VARIOUS

  • Time Period 1960s
  • Setting A farm house in rural Pennsylvania. Late 1960s.
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Additional Features Multimedia
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Gun Shots
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

“Spooky, sophisticated, and silly in equal measures.” – Fangoria Magazine

“Night of the Living Dead Live reveals itself to be more than an adaptation. It's a devout and carefully crafted expansion of the beloved film with heaps of laughs along the way.” – The Zed Word

“This campy folly is a witty, smartly-imagined adaptation that should not be discounted.” – The Walleye

“No surprise here as the creation of a perfect staged version is set to be an international smash success. Drag your undead butt to this show!” – Mooney on Theatre

“Spooky, sophisticated, and silly in equal measures... so recommended it hurts.” – Fangoria Magazine>

ON BREAKING CHARACTER

Our Picks for 2019 Fall Plays
Samuel French
March 27, 2019

Videos

  • Night of the Living Dead Live trailer youtube thumbnail

    Night of the Living Dead Live trailer

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £70 per performance plus VAT when applicable.
  • Optional Music/Media Fee: £25 per performance.

Scripts

Available Formats:

Add-Ons

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Authors

Author

Christopher Bond

Author

Trevor Martin

Author

Dale Boyer

Author

Mike Trebilcock

Author

Jamie Lamb

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