Zombie Voodoo Scream

Party Brings Fun and Frights

to The Golden State Theatre

Elaine Schumacher, Staff Reporter

Elaine_Schumacher@csumb.edu

May 1, 2008

On April 11-12, the Golden State Theater

in Monterey was the gallows for the

performance of the play, “Zombie Voodoo

Scream Party.” Rider McDowell, author of

the books, “Wimbledon” and “The Mercy

Man,” wrote and directed the power-surge

of a musical comedy.

The interactive theater format included

a character that ran out of the theater

screaming, huge hairy black spiders

jumping from the balcony, and a monster

swooping into the audience and carrying

two children away.

The play is about an Egyptologist named

Cosgrove played by actor James Carpenter.

He has hunted and captured the most

horrible monsters alive in order to win

the monster pageant and the heart of Dr.

Deirdre, played by Keta Bill. Cosgrove’s

assistant, Neetroy was played by Colorado

based Shakespearean actor, Sam Misner.

There was nothing scary about Keta Bill’s

voice and just when the play was bordering

on goofy, Keta Bill and her back up singers,

the “DooWop,” girls performed a musical

number. The play was for all age groups as

demonstrated with its “scary” monster with

a baby head, or a gorilla that passes gas.

“I tried different voices for Neetroy but

this one just stuck,” said Misner about

the nasal infused voice of the character.

After finding the voice, the wardrobe

came easily, a bouffant hairstyle, black

rimmed glasses, shorts with ankle socks

and pointed shoes added to Neetroy’s

oblivious to the world attitude.

Howard Hinckley, a local actor from

Monterey and a former employee at CSU

Monterey Bay (CSUMB), played the

characters of Pat, volunteer and Stooge.

“When we go out, we try to find different

things to do and we love campy stuff,” said

Matthew Prasek, an audience member from

Hollister. “We really enjoyed the play, it

was a great time,” added his wife Cory.

This play is intended for those who need a

break from reality and want to have a good

laugh. “Zombie Voodoo Scream Party,”

was voted best show by the American

League of Undertakers. Whether the play

will be presented at another time, remains

to be seen.