For the past few weeks the DVC’s Department of Drama latest production of the Off-Broadway musical Zombie Prom, directed by Lisa Drummond with musical direction by Sierra Dee, has been performing to thunderous applause from greatly appreciative audience members.

I admit at first I was apprehensive towards the thought of a musical about a prom featuring zombies. The concept appears as though the world has run out of ideas for musicals and is relying on boring clichés, but due to the amazing performances by the cast as well as music by Dana P. Rowe and lyrics by John Dempsey, it’s a purposefully campy musical delight.

The show begins as an idealized day in the1950s at Enrico Fermi High School, which sits dangerously close to an unstable nuclear plant, with the budding romance of good all American girl Toffee, played by Gabriella Marchion, and orphaned bad boy Jonny ‘without the H’ Warner, played by Enrico Real.

Things seem to being going great for the two lovers until they are forced apart due to disdain for their relationship from Toffee’s parents as well as the school Principal, Miss Delilah Strict played by Farah Dinga.

Everything then spirals out of control as one suicidal teenager’s expired presence threatens to ruin everything the teenagers love, including the one thing they hold near and dear–the Senior Prom.

Despite a few issues with harmonies among the lead vocalists and the lack of a live band in house, the cast soared with amazing musical numbers while making you laugh uncontrollably at the same time. Each second was filled with the right amount of cheesy ‘50s musicality due to the exceptionally talented cast.

While a lot of the focus was on the very talented leads, the true gem within the production was the ensemble whose harmonies were nearly perfect and their background reactions to the events of the show priceless.

Overall DVC’s production of Zombie Prom was a delight and I look forward to seeing what the DVC Department of Drama has in store next.