Classic Camp Horror!

This campy necromance tells the tale of an innocent couple who stumble upon a remote graveyard and witness a horrific spectacle – a festival of the walking dead. Shirley (Tijana Popovic) and Bob (Dentor) soon discover that these damned souls not only walk, but dance for the enjoyment of the Emperor of the Dead (Bernie Bombay) and his cohort the Princess of Darkness(Lola Lockeheart). The Emperor passes judgment on all who dance and woe to the poor soul who displeases him. Before they are able to flee, Shirley and Bob are captured by the Mummy (Wilhelm Drosselmeyer) and Wolfman (Al Pocalypse) and forced to face their own judgment before the Emperor.

Orgy of the Dead – LIVE! is based on the 1965 film produced and directed by sexploitation legend Stephen C. Apostolof a.k.a. A.C. Stephen (College Girl Confidential, Lady Godiva Rides, Five Loose Women) and written by the infamous B-Movie icon Ed Wood Jr. (Glen or Glenda, Plan 9 from Outer Space, Bride of the Monster) who also acted as production manager and casting director for the film. The film starred the mentalist Criswell accompanied by an array of sexploitation stars including Pat Barrington (Psychedelic Sexualis, Mantis in Lace, The Acid Eaters). Typical to it’s genre, the film used a number of taglines including: “Are you heterosexual...?”; “The film that will satisfy every over-sexagesimal adult!”; and “In gorgeous and shocking ASTRAVISION and SEXICOLOR!”.

Orgy features a talented cast consisting of burlesque performers, comediennes and traditional theatrical performers which makes for a entertaining mix that creates the unique feel of Screaming Chicken productions. The cast is supported by a robust crew of make-up artists, special effects artists and theater technicians that come together to make Orgy a gore filled spectacle like no other.

For the first time, this year’s production will feature an original score by Jack Velker and performed by our Band of the Dead. Jack has been a professional musician for over thirty years and has toured the world performing with Boz Scaggs, Charlie Musselwhite and Amos Garrett and has opened for Ray Charles, Paul Revere, and Dizzie Gillespie. He has been involved in the production of more than 40 albums, and his works have been featured on CBC productions, film documentaries, as well as choreographed and presented in Japan, China, and throughout Canada.

The play’s producer and director, Melody Mangler is probably best known as one of Vancouver’s most prolific burlesque performers, but that barely scratches the surface. In addition to lead roles in many of Screaming Chicken’s productions Melody’s writing/directing credits include the critically acclaimed Sex, Violence and Nursery Rhymes, The Taboo Revue Burlesque Variety Show, History of Burlesque and How to Seduce a Lover. As one of Vancouver’s only full-time professional burlesquers Melody splits her time between performing, choreographing, costuming, writing, working as Artistic Director for Screaming Chicken, designing her signature line of Burlesque inspired clothing and accessories and teaching performers new and old the art of Burlesque. Melody’s talent, enthusiasm and creativity have raised the standard of burlesque in Vancouver, given a spark to the performing arts community and made Orgy of the Dead – LIVE! the spectacle that it is.

Following the passing of their father, Stephen C. Apostolof’s son and daughter have become active in restoring their father’s legacy. The original film has been re-released on DVD by Rhino (http://www.rhino.com/store/ProductDetail.lasso?Number=970321) and is available from Amazon.ca (http://amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Ddvd&field-keywords=orgy+of+the+dead). We would like to express our sincerest thanks to Polly and Christopher for their support of our tribute to their father’s work.

Ed Wood’s Orgy of the Dead – LIVE! Details

Friday April 4th and Saturday April 5th
7:30 PM and 9:45 PM

At the WISE Hall – 1882 Adanac St., Vancouver BC

Tickets are available online from Club Zone

The 2008 Cast and Crew

Producers – Norm Elmore and Melody Mangler
Director – Melody Mangler
Original Score – Jack Velker

Cast
Emperor of the Dark World – Bernie Bombay
Princess of the Damned – Lola Lockeheart
Bob – Dentor
Shirley – Tijana Popovic
Wolf Man – Wilhelm Drosselmeyer
Mummy – Al Pocalypse
Giant #1 – Ogre

The Damned Dancers
Melody Mangler
Connie Lingus
Violet Femme
Fanny Fabulous
April O’Peel
Bon Bon Bombay
Burgundy Brixx
Kimmy Shimmy
Keri Horton
Caillie Wallace

Crew
Production Manager – Chris Oliver
Technical Director and Set Designer – Evil Bastard
Head Make-Up – Kyla Rockingham
Head Effects – Reta Koropatnick
Prop Master – Joanie Gyoza
Stage Manager – Christy Elmore
Head Audio – Sedge Lewis
Costumes – Melody Mangler
Lighting Designer – Chris Oliver