Last Night: Zombies and Shakespeare

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern (Thaddeus Alexander and Marvin Newton) are huuungggrrryyy for brains.
Photo by Amy Lu

Living Dead in Denmark
When: Thursday, May 15, 8:00 p.m.
Where: Theatre Off Jackson

Were you a Shakespeare hater back in high school?

You know, the kind who doodled all over their copy of Hamlet, only knew the famous ''To be or not to be'' line, and only liked the 1968 film production of Romeo and Juliet because Olivia Hussey nearly bared all in front of the freshmen English class?

Admittedly, that was me (please don’t tell Mrs. Smith).

And if you’re any bit like me, then Pork Filled Players and Qui Nguyen’s Living Dead in Denmark will be right up your alley.

The combat-filled, live-action sketch comedy is full of Shakespearean hilarity. Yes, they make Shakespeare funny. And even if you didn’t study up, there’s still plenty to laugh about for the average Joe (like Marvin Newton, pictured above).

The two-hour show features some impressive combat scenes and well-executed, third-rate special effects worth a side-splitting laugh (watch for the beheading special).

Miko Premo (Juliet), Marvin Newton (Guildenstern, gravedigger, and Witch), and Deniece Bleha (Lady Macbeth) all deliver excellent performances.

My only complaint: The Thursday night show was fairly empty, so it was hard to get into the comedy without others laughing beside me.

So head to Denmark for the zombie action soon (the finale is May 24). And bring plenty of friends.