Back to life with the undead at CF’s black box theater

Cailey Blosser, who plays the part of a Zombie, stares off into empty space during a dress rehearsal of “Ten Ways To Survive The Zombie Apocalypse” in the Dassance Fine Arts Center at the College of Central Florida in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, Nov. 1, 2021. The College of Central Florida students will perform four 10-minute musicals plus the one-act 30 minute play “Ten Ways To Survive The Zombie Apocalypse” on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. and a Sunday matinée at 3 p.m. All of the performances are being held for free admission. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2021.

Home » Arts & Entertainment

Posted November 5, 2021 | By Julie Garisto
julie@magnoliamediaco.com

CF’s black box theater is dark no more. The acoustically exquisite space at the College of Central Florida’s Dassance Fine Arts Center springs back to life this weekend with an eclectic musical production that’s spiked with humor and campy horror.

Expect a performance catered to those of us adjusting our attention spans post-quarantine—a tasty assortment of bite-size musical theater pieces that add up to around 90 minutes.

“It’s a great buffet!” said Jason Longtin, CF associate professor of visual and performing arts. Longtin helps steer the vocal, technical and musical elements of the show.

The production starts with four 10-Minute Musicals: “A Most Average Musical,” book and lyrics by Jonathan Keebler and music by Bob Kelly; “The Hipster Sister” by Andy Roninson; “Pellets, Cherries, and Lies” by Erik Przytulski; and “Any Ordinary Sunday” by Joshua L. Mazur.

Mazur’s “Any Ordinary Sunday” is a new work by the Gainesville-based singer, composer and musician. A sought-after performer and voice coach, he keeps busy at churches, ensembles and other organizations throughout north central Florida.

“The students were excited to premiere new work and have a creator here giving them notes,” said director and CF theater instructor Nonalee Davis.

The one-act play “10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse” by Don Zolidis caps off the performance, clocking in at around 30 minutes.

Director Davis brings a varied background to her role at CF. Along with her experience as an actor and director, she’s a former communication coach, training executive at Feld Entertainment and, of all things, a stuntwoman. So, expect a fair amount of physicality in the show.

“Movement is my thing,” she said semi-jokingly before the students’ dress rehearsal this week. Davis shared that her most memorable stunt involved a car rolling off a bridge and underwater escape during a Lifetime network series dramatization. “The program was called “What Should You Do?” Davis added with a laugh.

The comedy “10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse” promises the most physical gags by providing tips on what to do when it’s the end of the world and a horde of rampaging zombies is about to attack.

Three of the musical shorts were curated from Theatre Now New York. The arts organization celebrates voices and forms that push the boundaries of musical theater.

“A Most Average Musical” finds college freshman Jenny spending her first Friday night at college alone. “The Hipster Sister,” set in Brooklyn in 2015, is the story of Chelsea, who is fed up with her slacker singer-songwriter sister and roommate.

Gen X folks nostalgic for the video games of their childhood will appreciate “Pellets, Cherries, and Lies,” which looks addiction through the life of a video game golden boy struggling to keep his family together while dealing with late-night binges. If you grew up watching “Say No to Drugs” PSA’s during the 1980s and ’90s, you’ll appreciate when the hilariously yellow-suited Pac-Man dad hears his son say, “I learned it from you, Dad! I learned it from watching you!”

From feisty girl-group ghosts in shiny sequins to outbursts of existential philosophy to ravenous brain eaters, CF’s wild assortment of theater nuggets entertains with catchy tunes and memorable one-liners.

“This show is super fun for the students,” Davis said. “They really just get to play after finding their comfort zones just being around people, which for many of us has been difficult. Now we just get to have fun and be silly.”

Tickets are free and no advance reservations are required. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime. For more information about CF events, visit CF.edu.