Cult Classic Countdown to Halloween – 'Zombie Prom'
Augustana College
“What if we took all the best parts -- all of our favorite parts -- of shows like Rocky Horror Picture Show, Little Shop of Horrors, [and] Grease?” So was the question of Dana P. Rowe, composer of the campy, kooky, and heartfelt confection, Zombie Prom.
The show is a celebration of musical theatre’s roots – passionate romance, hyper-reality, a misunderstood villain, and the journey of an underdog. It tells the story of Jonny (yes, without an H) and his beautiful, gentle girlfriend Toffee, who chooses to see beyond his zombie exterior and love him all the same. Other central characters include the dramatic, secret-keeping principal Delilah Strict (portrayed by the renowned RuPaul Charles in the 2006 film) who refuses Jonny entry to the prom, and her former lover, the smooth-talking reporter Eddie Flagrante. Funny, campy, and larger than life, Zombie Prom unlocks the lovesick teenager in all of us – and remains a cult classic.
The origins of Zombie Prom emerged in the early 90s. The dynamic duo of Rowe and his writing partner, John Dempsey, had recently composed a children’s operetta based on The Reluctant Dragon, which met with success. Their next project began with a mission – to create a work that had never been done.
Rowe explains, “[John said] ‘Well, let’s take two words that don’t go together and see if we can come up with a title.’ And he said, ‘Y’know, I’m really into zombies.’ And I said, ‘Y’know, high school proms are big.’ And that’s how Zombie Prom was born – two words that, to that point, had never gone together.” Rowe points out that since the show’s inception, “zombie proms” have actually become a niche phenomenon, spurning real-life celebrations around the country – but at this time, it was entirely new terrain.
Once the concept came to light, the next step was discovering the heart of the piece. “The first question we usually ask ourselves is, ‘What do we want the audience to feel?’” Rowe explains. “And in this case, it’s a wonderful, sweet love story. And it’s a story about people belonging.” The music certainly embodies this – from main character Toffee’s bubbly love ballad “Easy to Say,” backed up by a girl group trio, to Delilah and Eddie’s seductive tango, “Exposé.” Each character doesn’t really feel like they fit – but ultimately, their uniqueness is what makes them special – and what makes audiences come back again and again. “Characters that people want to perform…that’s what drives it,” Rowe asserts. “Characters [that] people would not only want to perform but would want to see and would want to spend time with.”
Like many cult classics, the show offers not only a feeling of belonging – but of connection. The zany universe of Zombie Prom allows us to embrace the qualities that we might otherwise keep hidden inside. “We all relate to being the zombie at some point in our life,” Rowe explains. “I mean, in high school, I was the nerd. The theatre nerd. The art nerd. The music nerd. So I was basically my own version of a zombie in high school. And I think that’s what people connect to.”
The show’s first run was at the Red Barn Theatre in Key West, Florida – which Rowe describes as a “kicky place.” As Hurricane Andrew hit the state in 1992, Rowe was working on the development of the Zombie Prom with his friend, Artistic Director Joy Hawkins. “[Key West] is just really artsy,” he says. “Everythings on the beach. It’s awesome. That audience was great. . .” He laughs. “They didn’t really know what hit ‘em.” Clearly, however, the production had struck a chord. It extended its run multiple times.
Next, Zombie Prom “invaded,” in Rowe’s words, a children’s theatre in Fort Lauderdale, where it received even more attention and acclaim. “The audiences loved it in Fort Lauderdale,” he shares. “They kept it open. They started coming as the characters. And when the music began, they started applauding.” It was there that show was picked up by Nat Weiss – who, unbeknownst to Rowe, would bring the show to New York City for an off-Broadway run. “I gave him my card and I was going, ‘That little old guy; bless his heart,’” Rowe recalls. “Little did I know that he was partners with Brian Epstein who brought the Beatles to America, and he represented Bonnie Raitt and Carly Simon and James Taylor at the time. Little did we know that he was in our audience, and lo and behold, we got a call.”
Zombie Prom opened off-Broadway in 1996. Reviews were mixed, but the cult following remained strong and resilient – resulting in a 2006 adapted film, created as a university senior film project in California. It’s no surprise that the story – particularly the film version – borrows elements from earlier cult classics. After all, even Rowe remembers standing in line for the midnight showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show in New York City. There is something about mock horror, dramatic love, and surreal surroundings that simply make for great entertainment.
However, Rowe believes that the success of the piece goes beyond face value. Its wit, charm, and sense of humor are really what have elevated it to a cult classic. When asked how he and Dempsey crafted scenes and musical numbers, he says they wondered, “What would really be fun?” “It’s a testament to [John Dempsey’s] ability to really get into a character,” he emphasizes. “Some of the lines are classic. ‘It’s written all over what’s left of his face!’” Perhaps one of the best elements of the show is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously, completely indulging in…well, fun.
Today, Zombie Prom is still a crowd favorite – particularly for youth to perform. For many young people, it serves as a gateway into a love of musical theatre. “Boy,” Rowe sighs. “That’s such a wonderful feeling when you feel like something you’ve written connects with so many people.” And indeed, it has. Nerd or cheerleader, principal, or rebel, human or zombie – we are all welcome at the Zombie Prom.
Works Cited
Brantley, Ben. “THEATER REVIEW;Girl Meets Ghoul, Hit By Cupid's Toxic Arrow.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Apr. 1996, www.nytimes.com/1996/04/10/theater/theater-review-girl-meets-ghoul-hit-by-cupid-s-toxic-arrow.html.
Rowe, Dana P. “Interview.” 15 Oct. 2020.
Time Out New York. “Zombie Prom: Things to Do in New York.” Time Out New York, Time Out, 11 Oct. 2012, www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/zombie-prom.
“Zombie Prom - 1996 - OFF BROADWAY.” BroadwayWorld, www.broadwayworld.com/shows/Zombie-Prom-311620.html.
“Zombie Prom - Dana P Rowe.” The Guide to Musical Theatre, www.guidetomusicaltheatre.com/shows_z/zombie-prom.html.
ZOMBIE PROM ... An Alarming Anecdote of Atomic Adolescent Angst!, www.zombiepromthemovie.com/.