Hidden between the comedy clubs of North Hollywood’s Lankersheim Boulevard is a simple storefront with “Z J U” in big black letters above the entrance. This is Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre, home to supremely provocative signature production, Urban Death. Part theatre, part performance art, part horror show, Urban Death, a haunting presentation that must be experienced by any fan of live performance.
The spring version of the show starts off by making its intentions to challenge the audience abundantly clear. As the intimate black box theatre filled up to overflow capacity on opening night, a full-figured woman entered the stage, topless and stared directly out into the crowd. Later, about 5 minutes before curtain, a 6 foot tall clown scuttled onto the stage with a cat-o-nine tails and began to whip the woman mercilessly. This went on for a few uncomfortable minutes until the lights faded and the eager audience roared with approval. Welcome to Zombie Joe’s!
In the dark of the theatre an ominous music swelled and filled the air with forbidding anticipation of what was to come. This would be a familiar anticipation as the show is a series of vignettes, most of which feature no dialogue whatsoever. When the lights rise we find what we are faced with. In this first instance we see a pile of bodies. Silence. Then a twitch, a breath, and the pile slowly comes to life. The opening scene builds to grotesque life with the performers lunging toward the audience. Blackout.
The cycle repeats, exploring the human condition in ways that are haunting, terrifying, perplexing, and even moving. A standout among the scenes; An old man hobbles across the stage in dim lighting, struggling to move. He pauses, the lighting suddenly becomes bright, the actor comes to life, dancing the expanse of the stage with lovely dexterity and command. Without warning, the lighting returns to its sullen tone and the man reverts to his aged characterization. A memory of youth lost, the figure stands defeated by time. In another scene a caretaker struggles with ending the suffering of her charge.
These moments of poignancy are coupled with scenes of disturbing gore and absurdity. In one scene two business men stand facing each other, masturbating, and slapping each other in the face with fanned out dollar bills. In still another piece, two doctors proceed to lance boils on a patient’s back while lapping up the expressions. Yeah. Insane right? But that’s the point. Zombie Joe and his troupe gleefully assault the audience with scene after scene of shocks, emotion, and humor.
Something needs to be said here for the troupe of performers. In fact just one word. Fearless. This fine ensemble of actors literally bares all as they explore the peaks and valleys of what it means to be alive. They are able to exude extreme terror one second, then suddenly turn on a dime and deliver riotously funny sketch comedy. They have no problem exposing their souls and then some to an audience that is just inches from them. It takes a lot as an actor to do that and somehow Zombie Joe finds them.
Let’s be clear however. This is not a show for everyone. In fact it is a show that many main stream audience members may not enjoy at all. But it needs to be seen. Nothing taps into the raw existence of humanity like Urban Death. See it at least once, be haunted by it forever.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][banner728 banner=”557356c28958a”][/vc_column][/vc_row]URBAN DEATH runs on SATURDAYS @ 11:00pm, thru June 27th, at ZJU THEATRE GROUP, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601.
Tickets are $15. Our 24-Hour Reservation Hotline: 818-202-4120.
Advance Tix Available at ZombieJoes.Tix.comOur Official Websites: ZombieJoes.com and UrbanDeath.com
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I can’t wait to visit Zombie Joe’s soon. It’s sounds beautifully obscure. Loved your scene interpretations, especially this line ” A memory of youth lost, the figure stands defeated by time. .”