Jana Wimer to Adapt and Direct Sci-Fi Version of The Tempest for ZJU Theatre

24 Oct 2016 1 Comment

by Shakespeare in LA in Los Angeles Tags: ,

The Tempest - ZJU
Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group presents a one-hour, dark sci-fi version of Shakespeare’s The Tempest adapted and directed by Urban Death co-creator Jana Wimer, beginning November 11. Exiled to a primitive planet, the cruel and arrogant Prospero, using technology to enslave and control the natives, is given the opportunity to exact his revenge on those who wronged him. The production stars Bert Emmett as Prospero and Jonica Patella as Caliban, and is produced by Zombie Joe. Recommended for Ages 13 and up.

Performances run November 11 – December 18, Fridays at 8:30pm and Sundays at 7:00pm. No performances Thanksgiving weekend, November 25-27.

THE TEMPEST
November 11 – December 18, 2016
ZJU Theatre Group
4850 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Tickets ($15) at 818-202-4120 or ZombieJoes.Tix.com
More info: ZombieJoes.com

ZJU Theatre Group Presents 2nd Annual Underground Fringe in NoHo

29 May 2016 2 Comments

by Shakespeare in LA in Los Angeles Tags: ,

OTHELLO - ZJU Theatre Group

This June, Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group brings back its annual Avant-garde Mini-Theatre Festival for the second year in a row.The 3-weekend event will take place at ZJU Theatre Group and showcase two productions:

OTHELLO
June 24 & 25 (11pm), July 2 – 30 (8:30pm)
This is Josh T. Ryan and Zombie Joe’s wet n’ wild, high-euro-fashion adaptation of Shakespeare’s tale of love, murder and betrayal, where glamor is a rocky-road and jealousy is a green-eyed monster. Featuring Vanessa Cate as Othello and directed by Josh T. Ryan.

URBAN DEATH
June 3 – 18 (11pm), JUNE 3 thru 18, June 20 & 24 at 8:30 pm.
ZJU Theatre Group’s special classic edition of their signature horror production returns to dive into the depths of inexplicable horrors, unfathomable monstrosities, and the disturbed spirits that walk among us. Directed by Jana Wimer.

ZJU Theatre Group
4850 Lankershim Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Tickets: Zombiejoes.tix.com
More info: Zombiejoes.com
Both productions are recommended for ages 15 and up.

As You Like It Gets Sexy at Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group

06 May 2016 1 Comment

by Shakespeare in LA in Los Angeles Tags: ,

As You Like It - Zombie Joe's

Director Denise Devin is back with a rollicking, romantic, and sexy romp through the magical Forest of Arden, beginning May 20 at Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group. Shakespeare’s comedy follows the adventures of banished heroine Rosalind as she flees to the forest – dressed as a man, looking for true love, and her father…while fending-off the amorous advances of a shepherdess. Show runs Fridays at 8:30 pm and Sundays at 7:00 pm through June 19. (This production is for ages 13 and up.)

AS YOU LIKE IT
ZJU Theatre Group
4850 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Tickets: $15
Reservations: 818-202-4120
Advance tickets at ZombieJoes.Tix.com
More info: ZombieJoes.com

Zombie Joe’s Underground Fringe Opens with OTHELLO

19 May 2015 1 Comment

by Shakespeare in LA in Los Angeles Tags: ,

ZJU - OthelloZombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group presents Josh T. Ryan and Zombie Joe’s wet n’ wild, high-euro-fashion adaptation of Shakespeare’s tale of love, murder and betrayal, where glamour is a rocky road and jealousy is a green-eyed monster. Directed by Josh T. Ryan, Othello headlines Zombie Joe’s 1st Annual Underground Fringe and will open Saturday, May 30th at 8:30 pm, running Fridays and Saturdays through June 27.

OTHELLO
May 30 – June 27, 2015
ZJU Theatre Group
4850 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Tickets: $15
Call: 818-202-4120 or go to ZombieJoes.Tix.com
For more info: ZombieJoes.com

Review: ZJU’s MACBETH – Short and Sweet, Dark and Bloody

28 Apr 2015 Leave a comment

by Shakespeare in LA in Los Angeles, Reviews Tags: ,

ZJU - Macbeth

Amir Khalighi as Macbeth and Jason Britt as Macduff

Director Denise Devin knows how to set a mood. Her one-hour Shakespeare adaptations condense the Bard’s source material into compact, efficient theatre capsules that are perfect for those who want their Shakespeare short and sweet – or in this case, dark and bloody – with enough time left after the show to head out on the town.

This latest version of the Scottish play contains all of ZJU’s signature touches as Devin transforms the intimate space into an ephemeral black hole with 11 actors, 2 stationary black cubes, and an earthy costume design.  More

Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group Reimagines MACBETH

10 Apr 2015 1 Comment

by Shakespeare in LA in Los Angeles Tags: ,

Macbeth - ZJU 2015

Director Denise Devin unleashes a dark, bold and emotional re-imagining of Shakespeare’s bloody masterpiece on the ZJU stage, April 24 – May 31. It is a fresh, new, fearless vision of this relentless classic as only Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group can present. The shows stars Amir Khalighi as Macbeth and Melissa Kite as Lady Macbeth, and features the Fearless Macbeth cast: Jason Britt (Macduff), Arielle Davidsohn (Witch), Brian Felsen (Banquo), Hillary Freedman (Lady Macduff, Seyton, Donalbain), Jenny Gustavsson (Witch), Mark Hein (Duncan, Porter, Murderer), Chandler Hudson (Malcolm), Jonica Patella (Ross), Angela Robitaille (Witch). The creative team includes Kevin Vancott (original music commissioned for the production) and Amy Volker (technical assistance). The show is produced by Zombie Joe.

Macbeth runs Fridays at 8:30 pm and Sunday at 7:00 pm at ZJU Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601. Tickets are only $15. For reservations call (818) 202-4120 or go to ZombieJoes.Tix.com. For more information visit www.ZombieJoes.com.

ZJU Theatre group and a MIDSUMMER Sequel-Of-Sorts!

02 Sep 2014 2 Comments

by Shakespeare in LA in Los Angeles Tags: ,

Snug's Revenge

Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group proudly presents the premiere of Adam Neubauer’s Snug’s Revenge, the hilarious and surprisingly dark story of a theatre company’s attempt to mount a production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and just how far the actor playing Snug will go to secure the role of Puck. You can always expect the unexpected at Zombie Joe’s and once again it’s Shakespeare with a twist. Written and directed by Adam Neubauer and Produced by Zombie Joe.

SNUG’S REVENGE
Sundays at 7:00 pm
September 14 – October 5, 2014
ZJU Theatre Group
4850 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Reservations: (818) 202 – 4120
Tickets: $15 www.ZombieJoes.Tix.com
www.ZombieJoes.com

Review: ZJU Theatre Group’s Sexy, Funny MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

05 Jul 2014 Leave a comment

by Shakespeare in LA in Los Angeles, Reviews Tags: ,

MIDSUMMER - ZJU Theatre Group

It never ceases to amaze me how effectively the members of Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group can create an atmosphere in their incredibly intimate – make that tiny – black box. You would think a small space might limit their options but they have proven, over and over again, their innate ability to suggest time and place using even the simplest of objects.

For their current production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, they transport the audience to Athens with only a cascade of glittering stars and a moon, affixed to the black walls, plus a partial Greek column that doubles as a fairy seat. Eclectic pre-show music further enhances the ambience and shows their sense of humor with a mix of songs that includes Buddy Holly’s “That’ll Be The Day,” “Volare,” “That’s Amore,” “Love Shack,” “Funkytown,” and even the country favorite “Crazy.” Notice everything because there is no random choice made here.  More

It’s a Sexy MIDSUMMER Romp for ZJU Theatre Group

11 Jun 2014 Leave a comment

by Shakespeare in LA in Los Angeles Tags: ,

Midsummer - ZJU

Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group proudly presents director Denise Devin’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare’s hilarious, sexy and mischievous moonlit-romp, filled with feuding fairies, star-crossed lovers, and wanna-be actors – all trying to resolve their troubles before the Duke’s wedding day!

Fridays at 8:30 pm, June 27 – August 15, 0214 at ZJU Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601. Tickets are $15. For reservations call (818) 202 – 4120. Advance tickets are available now at www.ZombieJoes.Tix.com. For more information visit www.ZombieJoes.com.

ZJU Theatre’s Young and Dark Richard III

12 May 2013 Leave a comment

by Shakespeare in LA in Los Angeles, Reviews Tags: ,

Richard-ZJU2

W. Lochridge O’Bryan as Richard III. Photo by Zombie Joe’s Underground

All of its pieces add up to Shakespeare’s Richard III but Zombie Joe’s version directed by Denise Devin is certainly an oddball mix. Picture a thin, pale Duke of Gloucester (W. Lochridge O’Bryan) with hollow cheekbones and sunken eyes who looks to be barely out of his twenties, a Lady Anne (Anna Gillcrist) with the essence (and visual resemblance) of Julia Stiles, and a wild-eyed Margaret (Tina Preston) with the haunted look of the almost dead, and you get the idea.

Most of the actors, with exception of O’Bryan, Preston, and Sarah Fairfax (Elizabeth), play multiple roles, with much of the cast skewing on the young side. The basics are there, but if you aren’t familiar with the story and the relationships, it isn’t always easy to distinguish one character from another. This can be a challenging play for those without the life experience or length of Shakespeare study to fully engage with the text at a visceral level. It can also limit an ensemble member’s ability to clearly communicate which of his characters he is portraying in any given moment.  More

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