My goodness, I love Zombies. I love them even more when they are a part of beautifully crafted theatrical experience and that is exactly what Maverick Theater’s Night of the Living Dead is. Now, full disclosure, I first experienced this show back in 2005 and saw it 3, maybe 4 years in a row before moving away from Orange County. I then became heavily involved in the haunt community and my spooky season dance card was always too full to make the trek back to Fullerton. Despite not being able to attend, I have always sung the praises of Brian Newell’s adaptation. The staging, the set, the acting, the makeup, the entire experience remains unlike any production I have ever seen. It is so beautifully done and really stays with you in a hauntingly fun way. I always knew I would make it back someday and this year was finally the year.
I am no longer creeping through the fog to scare people, not professionally anyway, and although I still live over 40 miles away I was lured back by happy memories of this incredible show, but also by the return of Scott Johnson as Ben. I love me some Scotty J! Add in Mark Coyan, Tara Pitt, Jaycob Hunter, and the always popular Joe SMASH and you have an insanely talented cast of OC theater greats who I have had the absolute pleasure of creating art with. I could not wait to revisit my Hunger Artist Theater Company roots and I was not alone. Several other old friends came out to brave the monsters and add mirth and merriment to our mini reunion.
In addition to my absolute joy at reconnecting with these lovely humans, I was thrilled to be able to introduce the boyfriend AKA Matt Ritchey to my theatrical past and to this show. Here is what he had to say about it!
BY: MATT RITCHEY
The Maverick Theater in Fullerton has been presenting a live stage adaptation of NIGHT OF THE
LIVING DEAD every spooky season for twenty years, but I hadn’t had the opportunity to
experience it myself. In fact, it’s been years since I watched the original George Romero zombie
film that, as the effective creepy advertising for this stage show reminds us, “started it all.” But
last weekend my girlfriend Bella (who has great taste and is a consummate theater
professional) made sure I had a nearly-front-row seat to the production. And it’s one of the best
productions I’ve seen in years.
The theater itself is tucked away in a renovated industrial complex across from an Amtrak
station and has two stages – one of which hosts a concessions stand for pre-gaming. One of the
doorways is boarded up and soon after guests arrive, some undead start reaching out for them
– a perfect selfie opportunity and smart way to get to get the word out about the show, though
I believe this show (and its annual follow-up, a live version of SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE
MARTIANS) gets sold out as soon as tickets go on sale. Understandably.
There are enough jump scares and terrific zombie make-up and action to satisfy any horror fan,
and the direction and soundscape are tight and engaging. Every actor does a fantastic job and
this highlights the real reason to see this story… yes, it’s fun to experience a scary zombie story
on stage, but the relationships and the situation the characters find themselves in is so human
that the original theme has transcended time.
NOTLD was, of course, Romero’s commentary on the Red Scare and how humanity is causing
their own doom by not working together and by letting bigotry and politics divide us. As the
mindless violence grows and encroaches, we still can’t let go of our prejudices, and eventually if
we don’t fight back, we’ll all be destroyed. I’m sure either side of the political spectrum has
their opinion of which side is correct (and what the mindless murdering corpses represent
these days) but the message remains the same – if we don’t work together, we’re doomed. This
production, deftly adapted and directed by Brian Newell, highlights the humanity and the
actors do the work great justice.
Plus, it’s a lot of fun with some moments and effects far too cool to spoil here.
A great production that fires on all cylinders, I can understand why Night Of The Living Dead has
endured here for twenty years, and I don’t see it dying anytime soon.
Maverick Theater’s Night of the Living Dead runs through November 1, 2025. Grab some tickets if you dare (and if you CAN)! Seriously, they sell out hella fast. Good luck!
