FINALLY FRIDAY: Zombies in city cheese

ZOMBIE horror will meld with cheesy variety in a new Geelong stage show.
GSODA Junior Players has announced its production of Showstopper will feature “frightfully frothy hosts” Steve Grisley and Scary Anne Skinnerly guiding audiences through a Creature-Monster-Zombie Comedy-Horror Variety Hour.
The show combines “comedy, superb vocals and infectious dancing to be performed by Geelong’s top young musical theatre talent”, the troupe said.
The show, conceived and directed by Jules Hart, puts a horror twist on the cheesy variety show genre.
Hart said Showstopper’s eclectic collection of music including Michael Jackson’s Thriller, Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance, The B52s’ Planet Claire and Roy Orbison’s Crying.
“See a chorus line of skeleton dream girls perform Dusty Springfield’s Spooky, a pack of werewolves perform Werewolves of London and be amazed as the dancers appear to float through the air to Queen’s Invisible Man,” Hart said.
“It’s based on the 1960s variety shows with Carol Burnett and Mickey Rooney, which combined music with hilarious skits and cheesy comedy.
“We showcase the best of the kids’ talent and mash it up with the variety show format with lots of fun and frivolity.
“It’s just frothy, scary fun for the whole family.”
The Creature-Monster-Zombie Comedy-Horror Variety Hour is Showstopper’s second act, following on from the 1920s’ musical caper Charleston in act one.
Directed by Sadat Jon Hussain, Charleston follows the adventures of 17-year-old flapper Polly Pepper whose inheritance of a famous diamond necklace leads to her getting mixed up with bootleggers, con artists and showgirls.
The show will feature a cast of more than 60 performers aged 11 to 17.
Geelong Performing Arts Centre hosts Showstopper at 7.30pm this Friday and at 2pm and 7.30pm Saturday.