Sarah Marshall faces zombified Jessica Frances Dukes, Tim Getman, and Thomas Keegan. Photo: Stan Barouh
By DCist Contributor Jonelle Walker
Who will we see in the White House first: a gay man or a zombie?
Woolly’s latest premiere, part of their “Free the Beast” initiative, predicts an answer to that question. Zombie: The American is set in 2063, where the first (openly) gay president, Thom Valentine, struggles with a growing list of alarming executive struggles. Valentine finds himself facing a marriage on the rocks, an imminent war —and zombies in the basement of the White House.
Before they have a chance to sink their teeth into the show, DCist sat down with cast and Woolly Company Members Tim Getman and Jessica Frances Dukes—who play members of the dreaded “zombie council”— to discuss the show, working with Robert O’Hara, bringing the undead to life, and bringing the undead down in the inevitable zombie apocalypse.
DCist: How does an actor prepare to play a zombie?
Tim: I feel like I’ve been preparing my whole life to play a zombie. But seriously, I’m a huge fan of anything zombie and have been for years. From graphic novels to movies to TV shows. I’ve always been fascinated by the metaphor for violence, group think behavior, and dystopian future that zombie-ism confronts. Walking Dead especially these days and, I guess, Night of the Living Dead originally focus much more on the danger and violence within the human interactions, all in the context of the threat from outside our walls. That’s interesting to me.
The challenge in this piece is keeping that danger and violence present while we speak in politico language. Our choreographer Robb Hunter, [director Howard Shalwitz, and playwright Robert O’Hara], of course, have been working with us moment to moment to try not to descend into broad comedy and keep the threat and creepiness alive.
What is more challenging to portray: a brain-dead zombie or a sentient one?
Jessica: Both, I think right now, are equally fun and have their own set of challenges. I think it’s a matter of brain and body: Intellectually driven versus passionately driven; brain versus the heart. Yum! But really, I like to play with figuring out where that character’s center is and what their needs and wants are and go from there. These two have very specific goals that Robert lays out for me and I’m having a ball finding them.
Sean Meehan, James Seol, and Tim Getman. Photo: Stan Barouh
This is a play both about the zombie apocalypse and politics, wherein you play a politically active zombie. What are the political priorities of the undead?
T: Mostly it boils down to protocol and flesh eating. How those things are in tension and match up. Saying more would give away too much. But suffice it to say, the undead are here to help.
How would you describe Zombie: The American‘s zombie council?
J: They are a crew I wouldn’t want to be stuck hanging around, however they have been on the council for a LOOOOOOOOONG time so they won’t just up and eat you … right away. They may give you room to speak. They are three very different zombies joined together to uphold zombie law!
Zombie: The American boasts more Woolly Company members than any other show in Season 35. What attracted so many of you to the project?
T: Well, the cast has been in flux for over a year or two. Some of us were cast in different roles and some of us were originally cast in roles that no longer exist. I can’t speak for Dawn, Jessica, and Sarah, but the opportunity to work with Howard and Robert for the first time on both counts was a huge draw for me. Also, obviously, the development of a brand new Woolly commission is super exciting, especially one this deranged. It seems in many ways classic Woolly material: sex, violence, politics, dystopian America, gay presidents—you know, the usual.
Jessica, you performed in another Robert O’Hara play, Bootycandy. How has your experience with O’Hara’s work been different this time around?
J: This is my sixth time in the land of Robert O’Hara, my fourth time doing one of his plays, and my third world premiere of his. As a director and as a playwright, Robert is very different every time. He shifts how we work due to the needs of that particular play. It’s always a joy to be in the room with him due to the amount of trust he has in his actors and team. You’re allowed to fall flat on your face and he will look at you and go, “How’d that feel?” There is nothing like working with someone you trust and who trusts you.
What is your personal zombie apocalypse survival strategy?
J: Eat or be eaten, right! I’d be Brad Pitt in World War Z, I hope!
T: Well, we talk about moving to the country a lot. Prep a fortress in Idaho before the water and gasoline runs out, because it’s only a matter of time after that that the zombies will arrive. But I think if it happens anytime soon, and we’re still in D.C., stealing a boat would be wise.
Zombie: The American opens Friday May 29 and runs through June 21. Tickets are available online.
