Reviews: Zombie Prom at James Madison High School
Written by Ava Carter of Langley High School
Love never dies... but in Zombie Prom at James Madison High School, it comes back with a radioactive glow and killer dance numbers! Complete with stellar vocals, matching costumes, and makeup design that even flatters the undead, Zombie Prom was a campy delight.
Set in the 1950's, Zombie Prom is a rock-n-roll musical written by John Dempsey and Dana P. Rowe. The show follows high school senior Toffee, whose romance with "bad boy" Jonny is forbidden by her parents, leading Jonny to die in a nuclear plant and return as a zombie determined to take Toffee to the prom. Toffee often seeks advice and support from her group of friends, Coco, Ginger, and Candy. Meanwhile, Principal Delilah Strict is set on maintaining order to the high school and keeping Jonny out by all means necessary.
Katie Johnson leads the show as Toffee with tenderness and poise, effectively displaying Toffee's dilemma between following her parents' wishes or following her heart. Johnson also employs stunning vocal variety throughout the show, with her high mix-belt especially notable in "Jonny Don't Go" and "Easy To Say." As Jonny, her scene partner and love interest, Jack Rodstrom brings incredible charisma and stage presence to the role. Rodstrom's physicality also transformed alongside his character, adopting an uncontrolled, zombie-esque gait. Gwyneth Kemeny (Principal Strict) also has impressive vocal abilities, particularly in "Rules, Regulations, and Respect."
Allie Blanchet and Grace Rodstrom as Ginger and Coco, respectively, crafted distinct, unique characters that are elevated with various vocal and physical qualities. Rodstrom consistently displays Coco's love for pep squad and "queen bee" energy, whether she is twirling a baton or leading a partner dance. Meanwhile, Blanchet remains hilariously committed to Ginger's straight-A, nerdy character. Blanchet's posture (her shoulders are glued nearly to her ears) and vibrant facial expressions provide excellent comedic relief.
James Madison's technical elements brought the show to the next level. It would be remiss not to applaud Lily Fitzgibbons and the JMHS Hair and Makeup Team for their masterful application of Jonny's zombie makeup. Some designers may just paint an actor green and call it a day, but Fitzgibbons' design had realistic looking dirt, depth, and contouring. Additionally, Rodstrom's real skin stayed hidden throughout the show, proving the team's commitment to a transfer-proof design. Additionally, all characters from the leads to the ensemble had distinct eyeshadow that matched their costume designs. Charlie Dyer and the Costuming Crew designed unique, identifiable looks for each character based on colors and patterns. For example, Toffee's friends each had a color scheme that stayed consistent throughout various costume changes, and the designs even matched the character's boyfriends' costumes.
Altogether, Zombie Prom came roaring to life with a blend of talent, creativity, and commitment. The cast and crew at James Madison High School embrace the show's delightfully campy spirit with infectious energy, striking technical design, and standout performances across the board. Zombie Prom doesn't just rise from the grave, it absolutely steals the spotlight.
Written by Christine Dang of Lake Braddock Secondary School
With young love and corpse germs in the air, the senior prom is set to bring new surprises to the seniors of Enrico Fermi High School. Welcome to Zombie Prom, produced by James Madison High School!
Skillfully crafted by playwright and lyricist John Dempsey, as well as composer Dana P. Rowe, Zombie Prom first premiered in 1993 at the Red Barn Theatre in Key West, Florida. Filled with energetic comedy, this musical follows a beautiful high school senior by the name of Toffee, who falls for the rebellious boy Jonny. When pressure from disapproving parents cuts the relationship short, Jonny ends it all. Toffee is destitute - until Jonny shocks the school as a rotting corpse, determined as ever to graduate and win back his girl.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of the performance was Katie Johnson as the gorgeous Toffee. With clear, strong vocals and a honey-sweet tone, her voice perfectly encapsulates the sunny, optimistic aspect of her character. Additionally, her performance impressively expressed the range of emotions her character underwent throughout the show, from bright and cheerful at the beginning of the show, to mournful and destitute at Jonny's death, and hopeful when he returns even as a corpse. Her interactions with the commanding principal Miss Strict (Gwyneth Kemeny) was especially entertaining, as her character's sweet personality interestingly contrasted with the headstrong, bossy personality of Kemeny's character. With her sweet voice and evidently thorough understanding of her character, Katie Johnson created a convincing, lovable portrayal of Toffee that one can truly root for.
Another one of the strongest performers was Jack Rodstrom as the decaying zombie boyfriend Jonny. Without a doubt, the strongest aspect of Rodstrom's performance was his physical expression. The difference between his character's human and zombie states was clear as night and day, even apart from the costume change, due to the fact that when he was a zombie his movements were wider, intentionally appearing uncontrolled, with arms stretched and hands limp. Rodstrom's performance especially shone in his interactions with Johnson's Toffee - their vocals were absolutely gorgeous together, especially in their duet, "The Voice in the Ocean," where Jonny tells Toffee has heard her voice even in death.
Doubtlessly, the technical elements of this show effectively immersed the audience in the world of Zombie Prom. The lighting team, consisting of Zara Robinson and the Lighting Loons effectively enhanced the high-spirited, comedic feel of the musical, utilizing a vast array of colors in the background to do so. With red, white, and blue lighting for the number "Rules, Regulations, and Respect," and a cool, ocean blue for "The Voice in the Ocean," the lighting technicians' dedication to conveying the message and intentions for each number was rather evident. What was especially impressive, however, was the orchestration by Jason Ye. This student expanded the pit orchestra to include multiple new instruments, as well as a new brass section, and composed parts for them, ensuring the added orchestration fit with the rest of the show's music and the time setting of the show. These added orchestral elements blended seamlessly with the existing music and effectively enhanced the music aspect of the show, an endeavor truly not to sneeze at.
With high-energy music and stellar performances across the board, James Madison High School's Zombie Prom provided for a truly unforgettable experience.