You might have seen zombies wandering around Morganton and Valdese this past week, but don't worry if they stagger toward you.
These zombies are part of the Old Colony Players' production of "Night of the Living Dead." It begins a four-night run at 8 p.m. today at the Fred Cranford Amphitheater on Church Street.
Adapted from the 1986 George Romero and John Russo film, the play is definitely not a show for young kids, director Mike Pruitt said. It's recommended for 13 years old and up.
Reanimating the amphitheater was the first step toward the production, Pruitt said.
"The amphitheater has been sitting there empty," Pruitt said, "and it's only being used once a year for the outdoor drama."
Vicki Hyde, general manager of Old Colony Players, said, "(It) hasn't really been utilized as it should be, except for productions for 'From This Day Forward.' "
Pruitt said Old Colony Players also wanted to head in a different direction in order to reenergize the group.
One night while looking through scripts, Pruitt came across "Night of the Living Dead."
"It sort of timed out right just to do something around Halloween," Pruitt said.
Hyde said, "I've been told zombies are big right now… (and Pruitt) had a tremendous amount of response to it."
The cast and crew pulled together a show in just four weeks, Pruitt said. Some of the cast members were doing double duty, because they had roles in "The Sound of Music" that ended its run Sunday.
"We've had the cold and we've had wind and we've had howling rain," Pruitt said. "I've got a cast that withstood it all. The cast I've got right now is the toughest cast."
Another challenge the Old Colony Players faced was performing the production in black and white, Pruitt said. The only exception to the rule? Blood red.
As dress rehearsals commenced, the cast couldn't contain its excitement. Their zombie flash mobs invaded Morganton and Valdese on Thursday to promote the production.
Said Hyde, "This well could end up being an annual thing."
Ticket information
Old Colony Players will present "Night of the Living Dead" at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday at the Fred Cranford Amphitheater on Church Street in Valdese. Tickets are $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and students and $6 for children under 12. For more information call the Old Rock School at 879-2129.
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