Published: January 17, 2008 06:10 pm            

Rose-Hulman students bringing ‘Night of the Living Dead’ movie to stage

TERRE HAUTE — Ravenous ghouls that seem to be everywhere, a revolving set that depicts an isolated farmhouse and dazzling special effects add to the thrills and excitement in Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Drama Club’s production of the “Night of the Living Dead” play this weekend, in the college’s Hatfield Hall Theater.

Performances are planned at 7 and 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, along with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. General admission tickets are $5. Tickets are free for Rose-Hulman students. No advance or reserved tickets will be sold. Tickets are only available one hour or earlier before show time.

The gripping, terror-filled play brings all the fright of George A. Romero’s 1968 cult honor classic film to life. Chaos descends upon the world after a satellite probe shot to Venus returns to Earth carrying mysterious radiation that transforms the unburied dead into flesh-eating zombies. Seven people trapped in an isolated farmhouse, held hostage by ghouls, begin to turn on each other as the dead encroach.

When the group of humans finally put their survival plans into action, panic and personal tensions add to the terror as they try to survive. And, everything is over in about one hour.

“This play tests our students’ dramatic and technical talents. There are so many things that need to go precisely right for this production to achieve its goals -- artistically and dramatically,” states veteran Drama Club Director Bunny Nash, who is being assisted by student director David Bander, technical director Greg Stump and costume/makeup coordinator Jessica Becker. There are eight technicians for the production.

Rose-Hulman Drama Club has tackled — and met — such challenges in the past, with amazing crowd-pleasing performances in “Frankenstein,” “Guys and Dolls” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

“The technical areas are where we really excel,” states Bander, a senior applied biology major from Woodinville, Wash. “We’re working with the biggest set for the Rose-Hulman production [which revolves onstage to take the audience inside the farmhouse]; there are special effects galore; and lighting and sound challenges from the minute the opening curtain is raised.”

Then, there are the hordes of walking dead (zombies) that seem to be everywhere in the theater.

“The zombies are always there. You always feel their presence,” Bander admits. “This is a play that steps on the gas and takes you on a wild ride from first second. It is a fun and entertaining show.”

Bander is making his directorial debut after sharing center stage on 11 dramatic and musical productions during the past four years. He also has acted in youth and community theater plays in the Seattle area.

“It has been challenge [stepping into the director’s chair],” Bander admits. “I’ve done so many shows on the other side that I thought I could add something to this play as a director. Bunny [Nash] has been very supportive, along with Greg Stump and the rest of the technical team . . . It has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience watching the actors and actresses grow into their roles, and the characters develop. I feel like I have been raising children throughout the rehearsal process. Now, much like a proud parent, with opening night approaching, I’m ready to see my children shine.”

The cast features Candice Brown, Andrew Byrley, Christian Gage, Jessica Honegger, Kendra Lyons and Jarod Markley. Other Rose-Hulman students in the play are Cheyenne Arrowsling, Candice Brown, Sam Capone, Ben Collins, Sami Dick, Kris Dobbins, Sarah Erhart, Alex Frederick, Evan Kirsch, Jarod Markley, Aaron Meles, Marc Pardee, Michael Pridal-LoPiccolo and Kyle Schmetz. Performing as zombies are Joel Carlson, Rachel Carlson, Jon Christie, Colin DeClue, Monica Guzik, Chelsea Howard, Rachel Howser, Marcie Huber, Levi Hudson, Jon Krotz, Nicholas Leedy, Megan Lu, Pete Lusk, Clancy Soehren and Bobby Withrow.

For more information, call (812) 877-8544.

        

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