Zombie (play)
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The play Zombie is based on the 1995 novel Zombie by American writer Joyce Carol Oates, and adapted by Bill Connington in 2008.[1] The novel and play explore the mind of a serial killer, and is based on the life of Jeffrey Dahmer.
Jeffrey Dahmer stated in an interview with Stone Phillips, “The only motive that there ever was was to completely control a person, a person I found physically attractive, and keep them with me as long as possible, even if it meant keeping a part of them.”[2]
The solo play was first performed at the New York International Fringe Festival, and then opened at the Studio Theatre on Theater Row, on West 42nd Street in New York City.[3] The play was later produced live at John Jay College in New York City[4], and Burien Actors Theatre outside of Seattle via a live Zoom performance.[5] The play was also adapted into a short film.[6] All of the versions were performed by Bill Connington.
Plot[edit]
Zombie is the story of a sex offender, Quentin P., who is on probation. Despite his family’s suspicions, he sexually attacks, tortures, and kills several victims. Quentin is portrayed as self-absorbed, and psychotic. It is his objective to turn his victims into a “zombie,” a mindless sex slave to serve his needs. Critics have posited that Oates intends the serial killer to be a reflection of the violence in U.S. society.[7]
Reception[edit]
The book won the Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a Novel.[8] The play won awards, including the FringeNYC Overall Excellence Award for Outstanding Solo Show.[9] Andy Propst from The Village Voice wrote "Bill Connington’s 60-minute adaption of Joyce Carol Oates’s 1995 novella of the same name certainly rewards intrepid theatergoers, delivering a haunting glimpse into the mind of a serial killer."[10] Anita Gates from The New York Times wrote "Mr. Connington commits totally to this haunting characterization and leaves us wondering exactly what kind of people are walking the streets alongside us"[11] Eric Gorde from The New York Sun wrote "Connington generates a galvanizing friction between control and abandon."[12] Sam Thielman from Variety Magazine gave a mixed review. He wrote "The show’s 75 minutes are best spent as far away as possible from the actor, whose ingenious performance gives the skin-crawling piece such an authentic texture that the artificiality of the light and sound changes are a welcome reminder of the outside world." He also wrote: "Connington’s adaptation is not quite perfect; there are moments in which the descriptions of physical violence are so extreme, they feel a little too stylized. But those moments are the exception, not the rule." [13] Frank Scheck from The New York Post wrote "The piece is further enhanced by Thomas Caruso’s intense staging and by a performance space that feels as claustrophobic as an attic."[14]
References[edit]
- ↑ Thielman, Sam (2009-02-23). "Zombie". Variety. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
- ↑ Jeffrey Dahmer Interview - Extended Footage, retrieved 2023-03-27
- ↑ Gates, Anita (2009-02-22). "The Pervert in the Basement". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
- ↑ Peter, Thomas (10 March 2010). "Connington Brings Oates' Zombie to Life in NYC Starting March 10". Playbill. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ↑ Schaefer, Scott (2020-05-26). "Burien Actors Theatre's Shelter-In-Place Season continues with 'Zombie' this weekend". The B-Town (Burien) Blog. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
- ↑ King, Loren (2011-04-10). "Taking the short route reaps reward". Boston.com. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
- ↑ "American Psycho". archive.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
- ↑ "1995 Bram Stoker Award Winners & Nominees – The Bram Stoker Awards". Retrieved 2023-03-27.
- ↑ Hetrick, Adam (25 August 2008). "Fringe Festival Announces Overall Excellence Award Winners". Playbill. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ↑ Various (2008-08-12). "Fringe Festival 2008 Reviews!". The Village Voice. Retrieved 2023-05-07.
- ↑ Gates, Anita (2009-02-22). "The Pervert in the Basement". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-05-07.
- ↑ "'Zombie': Burrowing Into an Unbeautiful Mind". The New York Sun. 21 August 2008. Retrieved 2023-05-07.
- ↑ Thielman, Sam (2009-02-23). "Zombie". Variety. Retrieved 2023-05-07.
- ↑ Scheck, Eric (2008-08-18). "WITTY KILLER TO KILLER WIT". Retrieved 2023-05-07.
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