The dead have risen from the grave in The Renaissance Players production of “Night of the Living Dead” at The Renaissance Center in Dickson, Tennessee. The cult classic opened to an enthusiastic theater audience this past weekend and the zombies and ghoulies will return next weekend with Friday and Saturday night performances, Oct. 29 and 30, at 7 p.m.
Despite the terror-filled storyline of seven people trapped in an isolated farmhouse, held hostage by the ravenous flesh-eating zombies, this popular production is actually a family affair as many of the 40-plus cast members include mulitple family members. Cast in the role of Barbara, Rachel Gunn, of Dickson, is accompanied by her daughter, Tory (News Anchor), her oldest son, Will (in the role of Ben) and her three younger boys, Andy, Al & Luke, all zombies. Beth Burch, of Bellevue, is playing the role of Helen and her son, Jeremy, was cast in the role of Tom. The mother/daughter team of Vickie and Paige Songer, father/son team of Jim and PJ Reyome, mother/son combo of Arden and Austin Gatlin, and sister/sister duo of Jessie and Amanda Woodland also are a part of the act. “Theatre is one of the few things that an entire family can do together anymore, and The Renaissance Players is like one big family. . .even at Halloween,” says Director, Bryan Wlas. 
The show is unlike anything ever seen on The Renaissance Center’s stage, as it’s completely done in traditional black and white. “We’ve never done a show on a grayscale before, including skin tones, so this is an exciting new boundary to push that I think audiences enjoy and appreciate it,” Wlas notes. Based on the classic independent film from 1968, directed by George Romero, the theater production is also set in the 1960s. “We wanted to keep true to the original movie, but with our own take. It’s a classic for a reason, ” adds Wlas.Gather your family of ghoulies and zombies and come out to see “Night of the Living Dead” at The Renaissance Center. After all, the family that plays together… can have a lot of fun together!
Performances: Oct. 29 and 30, at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $15/adult, $12/seniors, and $8/children. Call 615-740-5500 for reservations today, or visit the website, www.rcenter.org for more information.
It was okay, except that it wasn't scary. I found it really funny! The Zombies walking around the audience was the scariest part. I have to say ,though, that Amanda Woodland's makeup was the SHIZ!!!!!!!!!!!!! The best makeup I've EVER seen in all my time in the theatre.
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