World Premiere Of 'Zombie Beach: The Musical' Set March 30 In Tampa

TAMPA, FL — A musical comedy that combines beach movies, rock music and the living dead will have its world premiere March 30 at the Hillsborough Community College Ybor City campus.

The rockin’ new comedy, "Zombie Beach: The Musical," will be presented by the Hillsborough Community College Theater Department and LAB Theater Project from March 3o to April 8.

Adapted from a book by Tampa Bay native John Cecil, with music and lyrics by Cecil and Laura Rebel-Angel, this musical set in the 1960s, tells the story of a group of clueless teens in a little-known Southern California beach town who head straight for the beach as school ends for the summer only to discover that the beach has some surprises in store.

This mashup musical brings together everyone’s favorite elements from '60s beach movies: young romance, skimpy bikinis and rock music with the addition of zombies and lots of blood.

Cecil, now a playwright in New York, grew up in the Tampa Bay area where he was a product of the Pinellas County Center for the Arts theater program. He has had numerous plays, screenplays and a sitcom pilot produced in New York.

usician, vocalist and DJ, Laura Rebel-Angel, of the Brooklyn-based roots band Screaming Rebel Angels, joined with Cecil to compose the music and lyrics for the show.

Zombie Beach is directed by Suzy Devore, head of the HCC Theater Department and noted actor and director. Musical direction is by Miles Randolph, last seen locally as the music director for LAB Theater Project’s show, "It Started with a Kiss."

“I love the concept of combining a '60s-style musical with the zombies from the film world,” said Devore. “It is a love story, and who doesn't love a great romance? I'm thrilled to direct and co-produce this world premiere and bring Hillsborough Community College Theater Department and Lab Theater Project together. It’s a toe-tapping, bloody good time."

This show appeals to kids of all ages, said Cecil, who calls it "a love letter to the pop culture of the 1960s.” He joked that he always wanted to see Annette Funicello in a fight with Vampira.

This co-production between LAB and HCC is structured as an opportunity to give HCC theater students the experience of working in a professional production. Some roles are cast with professional actors, and the production team is drawn from some of the most seasoned experts in the region.

The choreographer is Heather Cole; The set design is by LAB’s founding producer, Owen Robertson; lighting is by Wayne Linderman, costumes by Lindsay Ellis and sound by Aimee Sallee. Mike Martin (guitar) and Sid Wright (drums) will join Miles Randolph (keyboard) in the show’s band.

This is the second original musical LAB Theater Project has staged, but, according to Robertson, who is also Zombie Beach’s producer and an adjunct professor at HCC, the size and scale of this one made it ideal for a collaboration that would give HCC students experience working with local professionals.

LAB, which was founded in 2015 as a professional company dedicated to a “playwright first” vision and bringing new works to life, has produced more than 40 new works from local, national and even international writers.

The HCC Performing Arts Department offers associate degrees and university-level training in theater, dance and music. The theater department has been led by Devore since 2014. Devore has produced and directed more than 25 productions there, including theatrical classics and new works.

Her dedication to teaching new theater artists and working in all genres has allowed students to go on to well-recognized four-year schools and directly into the professional market.

"This is the first full-length musical that the department has had the resources to produce, thanks to the collaboration with LAB Theater Project, and it is a tremendous experience for the department and the students," Devore said.

"Zombie Beach: The Musical" runs Thursday to Saturday, March 30 to April 8 at 7:30, plus Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. on April 1 and 8 in the Mainstage Theater at the HCC Ybor City campus, 1411 E. 11th Ave.

General admission tickets are $20, through www.labtheaterproject.com. Admission is free for HCC students, faculty and staff with a valid ID, through HCC.