R & J & Z by Melody Bates - April 1 - 18 at New Ohio Theater
R & J & Z exceeds all expectations... Jubett and Bates have accomplished that rare satisfying balance of scary and funny... R & J & Z is a very entertaining show for all of the right reasons. Shakespeare is not spinning in his grave, but perhaps he will rise from it just to see this delightful, theatrical gorefest."
--Rachel Kerry, New York Theater Review
"Honestly, I couldn't keep up a body count...directed by Joan Jubett in the boisterous style of fellow genre-masters the Vampire Cowboys...the blood effects, courtesy of Stephanie Cox-Williams, are splendid...Bates keeps the iambic pentameter going right until the end, which is no mean feat."
--Alexis Soloski, The New York Times
“This strong cast only enhances Bates’ clever text…Murdy’s devilish Apothecary is especially delightful. Her detailed performance binds the perfect combination of frightening yet enticing; Bates crafts a character who is horrendous, yet you love watching him wreak havoc.”
–Sarah Weber, Theatre Is Easy
“From the last line of Shakespeare’s text (which is interrupted by a zombie attack) the humor and humanity shine through… The sword skills of the fabulous ensemble, especially the Searchers (thanks to Dan Renkin, Fight Director) might have you screaming “kill him again”, but it’s all very edifying. Stephanie Cox Williams’s blood work is exemplary, making one wonder how Kate Mincer’s charming costumes get cleaned for the next performance.”
–Ed Malin, NY Theater Now
“J. Stephen Brantley lived up to my twenty years of pent up expectations. His drooling, hissing monster Mercutio moved with the structural integrity of a Frankenstein-like creature driven by blood and hunger. When he returns to his former self and regains his voice, he's a bit of a romantic fool… Brantley manages all with authenticity… Bates makes Juliet strong and delicate even with a taste for flesh. She's convincing as a Shakespearean heroine, a blood hungry zombie, and a girl in love. It's not an easy trio to pull off.
–Mildly Bitter’s Musings
--Rachel Kerry, New York Theater Review
"Honestly, I couldn't keep up a body count...directed by Joan Jubett in the boisterous style of fellow genre-masters the Vampire Cowboys...the blood effects, courtesy of Stephanie Cox-Williams, are splendid...Bates keeps the iambic pentameter going right until the end, which is no mean feat."
--Alexis Soloski, The New York Times
“This strong cast only enhances Bates’ clever text…Murdy’s devilish Apothecary is especially delightful. Her detailed performance binds the perfect combination of frightening yet enticing; Bates crafts a character who is horrendous, yet you love watching him wreak havoc.”
–Sarah Weber, Theatre Is Easy
“From the last line of Shakespeare’s text (which is interrupted by a zombie attack) the humor and humanity shine through… The sword skills of the fabulous ensemble, especially the Searchers (thanks to Dan Renkin, Fight Director) might have you screaming “kill him again”, but it’s all very edifying. Stephanie Cox Williams’s blood work is exemplary, making one wonder how Kate Mincer’s charming costumes get cleaned for the next performance.”
–Ed Malin, NY Theater Now
“J. Stephen Brantley lived up to my twenty years of pent up expectations. His drooling, hissing monster Mercutio moved with the structural integrity of a Frankenstein-like creature driven by blood and hunger. When he returns to his former self and regains his voice, he's a bit of a romantic fool… Brantley manages all with authenticity… Bates makes Juliet strong and delicate even with a taste for flesh. She's convincing as a Shakespearean heroine, a blood hungry zombie, and a girl in love. It's not an easy trio to pull off.
–Mildly Bitter’s Musings