You Got Red on You

What makes zombie films so compelling? For local musician Scott Hobart (best known as frontman for Rex Hobart and the Misery Boys), it's the genre's inspired approach to addressing cultural issues. From mythological tales of corpses roaming the Earth to postmodern conceptions of American consumers as the mindless undead, zombie stories have always been used to reflect the human dread of death and the dangers of not thinking. Best in show is director George A. Romero, whose 1968 B-movie masterpiece, Night of the Living Dead, is Hobart's all-time favorite. "It's got so much political weight to it," he says.The Coterie Theater (2450 Grand) salutes the master tonight with the premiere of its stage version of the movie, in conjunction with ArtsKC. The production, which runs two weekends, opens with Hobart emerging from the ground to chase a girl into a house, then proceeding to create the show's live soundtrack with just his electric guitar and some effects. Director Ron Megee says the play, which features children and adults from the Coterie's How to Be a Zombie class, follows the movie's script closely. Tickets cost $14 for adults, $9 for students and seniors. Real zombies who show up may be hit in the head with a shovel. Call the box office at 816-474-6552 for show times. “Opening Grave” by Scott Hobart:

Oct. 18-28, 2007