2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Zombie Opera
From 2020 to 2025 and beyond
Join our co-founders, Catriona Rubenis-Stevens and Molly Dunn, on a written history of the show from year to year.
The First Zombie Opera
October 31, 2020
In the spring of 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Molly Dunn and Catriona Rubenis-Stevens had the idea to do once-a-month, small pop-up stoop opera concerts on Jersey Avenue. These were a huge success and proved that despite the circumstances of the lockdown, people were hungry for live music again.
That summer Dunn and Rubenis-Stevens began planning the Zombie Opera, a Halloween themed night of opera music, free to the public on a stretch of Jersey Avenue that they closed down. They called it the Zombie Opera “Mask”erade Ball.
The event was a hit. Over 1000 people showed up in the masks, socially distanced to watch the singers perform on two opposite stoops for 90 mins.
The Second Zombie Opera
October 31, 2021
After an incredibly successful and well received Zombie Opera Mask-erade, Cat and Molly had to find a way to keep the opera alive and growing. 2021 seemed like the perfect year to theme the Zombie Opera: New Year’s Eve Ball, a roaring 20’s inspired evening. With a new and exciting collaboration with Hair is Happiness, the zombies had a cohesive and stunning hair and makeup design. One of the magical parts of opera is that the singers perform without microphones. 2021 was the year we had to consider adding amplification because the crowd was so eager and so packed, the singers couldn’t even hear the music! Sadly, we also knew we had grown past our humble stoop beginnings. There were just SO many people there.
The Third Zombie Opera
October 29, 2022
Once we approached Hamilton Park about moving our beloved Zombie Opera to the park, it felt like we finally pulled out all the stops. They were excited and eager to host this event in their beautiful gazebo, which acts as a stage to the western side of the park. We were able to secure an orchestra for the first time, have a real set on stage, and crawl our way towards a professional sound system and lighting. Draping string lights from the trees to the gazebo transported the audience to a turn of the century circus tent. The Zombie Opera Chorus was born this year! Although we did get feedback that our og zombie lovers missed the stoop performances (and we missed it too!), it was clear from our growing audience size that Hamilton Park was our perfect new home.
The Fourth Zombie Opera
October 28, 2023
The Zombie Opera was back! And this year, it was for the 80’s Prom. A growing orchestra, professional sound and lighting team, and fun collaboration with Another Man’s Treasure for vintage costumes brought Zombie Opera to the next level. The singers portrayed every high school stereotype you could imagine, from Jock to Band Geek, Science Nerd to Prom Queen. Hosted once again in the beautiful Hamilton Park, it was incredible to see how Zombie Opera was becoming a yearly tradition for growing families. Kids were recognizing songs they’d hear every Halloween. Post Opera, we had a blast hosting a real prom/dance party in the park!
The Fifth Zombie Opera
October 26, 2024
In Cat’s mind, there was no other option for the theme of our 5th Zombie Opera but Outer Space, paying homage to 1950’s sci-fi. The talented and crafty Katy Gardiner joined the Zombie Opera as the Art Director, designing and building all costumes, sets, props, and more. There was a 20 foot crashed space ship on the stage! With a working door! It was truly eye candy for the crowd. The biggest technical additions were the two floating video walls showing up close shots of every performer, truly making Zombie Opera accessible for every audience member no matter their seat. A musical highlight of the evening was soprano Yohji Daquio’s ridiculous rendition of the Diva Dance from The Fifth Element. Dare we say it was better than the original?
