Among the Dead
Factory Theatre

"While some companies do camp send-ups of cult horror films, others seriously aim to re-create their look and feel. Factory Theater has done both in this wickedly funny ? - Jack Helbig, Chicago Reader 11/29/02


11/21/02 - 12/22/02

thu-sat 8p; sun 3p


"While some companies do camp send-ups of cult horror films, others seriously aim to re-create their look and feel. Factory Theater has done both in this wickedly funny homage to George Romero, Sam Raimi, and other purveyors of low-budget gore.

Ryan Oliver's story--millions of corpses come back to life and lay siege to the civilized world in an apocalyptic dark future--is so improbable and gruesome it could pass for a straight-to-video knockoff. Even Oliver's forays into typical Factory Theater parody, such as his grim deconstruction of the convention of having an attractive, good-hearted couple at the story's center, are now, thanks to postmodern practitioners like Wes Craven, accepted elements of the horror genre.

But no cinematic shockmeister I've seen has yet created a work that intertwines comedy and pulpy horror as tightly, and successfully, as Oliver (who also directs). An army of actors, fight choreographers, sound people, and makeup artists helps him achieve this goal. The acting style is epitomized by Mark Montgomery's brilliant performance as the sadistic leader of a band of paramilitary survivalists: the pompous posturing of this Patton wannabe is at once hilarious and an important facet of his character. Like the other inspired ensemble members, he's determined to do everything he can to make you laugh as your flesh crawls--just in time for, er, Christmas? - Jack Helbig, Chicago Reader 11/29/02


"As written and directed by Ryan Oliver, the somberly titled Among the Dead stars a group of hillbilly beer-swilling militia types holed up in a remote underground bunker. Their mission: to hunt and destroy an endless supply of zombies who roam the earth thanks to a government experiment gone awry. Of course, none of this would be any fun without a squeaky clean young couple to terrorize, nicely played here by Harry Eddleman and Lisa Rothschiller. The production needs a quicker pace (the faster, the funnier), but overall this show is the kind of low-down-and-dirty spectacle that has cult favorite written all over it." Nina Metz, NewCity Chicago

Author
Ryan Oliver

Director
Ryan Oliver

Performers
Molly Brennan, Nick Digilio, Harry Edleman, Keith Ellis, Jason Lubow, Mark Montgomery, Lisa Rothschiller, Manny Tamayo, Steve Wilson

Production
Megan Carr, Darryl Miller, Sean Cannon, Geoff Vines, Chas Vrba

Tags: Theater, American, 2002