Zombies from the Beyond Reviews

Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended

"...One credits BackStage Theatre Company for stretching themselves by tackling a musical, and there are some genuine laughs, as well as a cheesy-but-clever set design by Heath Hays. But the cast is vocally uneven and Megan E. Frei's rather shapeless staging doesn't lift the material above the level of a good-natured trifle."

Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended

"...despite the outlandish premise, the comedy is never quite as cheeky or outrageous as it should be--if there's such a thing as a safe space zombie musical, this is it. BackStage Theatre Company's production, a Chicago premiere, is lively but uneven."

Windy City Times - Somewhat Recommended

"...In between alien chorus lines, Zombies throws in a clunky tap number and a romantic subplot involving the winsome daughter of the chief scientist. There’s a fine line between campy and over-earnest, “hey-kids-let’s-put-on-a-show” cheesiness being skirted here and, alas, Zombies lands in the land of cheese more often than not."

Gay Chicago Magazine - Somewhat Recommended

"...Chief among the actors are Elizabeth Hope Morgan, Matthew Gottlieb and Rebekah Ward-Hays. Morgan is particularly unfaltering, playing this saucy style like she was born into it. She delivers lines like, “Who knows what ghastly atrocity is coming next?,” with such relish we can’t help but laugh. She also delivers a spotlight solo free of cringes and full of perfect comedic timing. Matthew Gottlieb also gets this wide-eyed, heartthrob style."

Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended

"...There are two assets here: Elizabeth Hope Morgan’s delightful voice and comedian Ken Barnard’s awkward stage exits. Still, this can’t quite separate itself from other bloated musical comedies on the fringe circuit—where anything after intermission seems like surplus."