Pioneer musical ‘Zombie Prom’ invites discussion on educational rights

By BELLA LEVAVI

Staff Writer

Published: 03-15-2023 12:09 PM

NORTHFIELD — Should zombies receive education?

This question and more is discussed in Pioneer Valley Regional School’s spring musical, “Zombie Prom.” Performances will be held Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., followed by a matinee show at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

When a heartbroken teen drives his motorcycle into a nuclear power plant in the 1950s, he comes back as a zombie. He is then denied the ability to attend his local high school, a story the media quickly picks up. This pivots the country’s discussion to zombie rights.

Last year, the students put on the musical “Into the Woods Jr.,” just after the mask mandate was lifted in schools. The three performances before that were all done remotely due to the pandemic.

Although the students missed many rehearsal days due to several snow days and when the school closed because of a burst pipe, they still brought the show together in time for this weekend. Thirteen students have rehearsed this humorous musical for the past three months, nurturing their talents and becoming a tight-knit group.

“The students are most excited about doing something less known,” said Brian Campbell, play director at Pioneer. He explained the students collectively chose “Zombie Prom” as their spring musical from a collection of scripts they all read and discussed.

Not only will the zombie aesthetics be the star of the show, but the heavy-handed 1950s social commentary keeps the play light and funny.

While the premise may seem outlandish, the themes of the musical are in the forefront of the discussion about education in America.

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“The play is about people being excluded from opportunities afforded to them based on differences,” Campbell said. “Everyone has a right to an education, even zombies.”

While the theater program has a higher participation rate from the middle school, one senior has been part of the program the entire time he has attended Pioneer.

“Jonathan is the hardest-working kid I ever worked with,” Campbell said.

Jonathan Bodenstein plays this musical’s scheming tabloid journalist, on the hunt to cause controversy. This character “is a lot of fun to play,” Bodenstein said.

Bodenstein is not sure where he will be next year once he graduates from Pioneer, but he said he plans to continue doing theater in some capacity.

Bella Levavi can be reached at 413-930-4579 or blevavi@recorder.com.

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