The Virtual Stage presents Andy Thompson's all-new immersive and harrowing theatrical adventure with On Death's Door: Plague of the Zombie Syndrome - today, Oct. 7 to Nov. 2, 2014 at a top-secret location in Vancouver. The production marks the third year of the company's smash-hit Zombie Syndrome series, which has previously seen teams of audience members work together to save the world and elude the undead in downtown Vancouver and on Granville Island.
Last year, winning teams captured the crooked Sgt. William Sullivan and found the only cure for the deadly virus. Unfortunately, despite the groups' success in their mission, the Centre for Disease Control has discovered the Zombie Syndrome virus is somehow being laced in a highly potent street drug known as "Death's Door." Officials from the Department of National Defence, desperate for reinforcements, are once again calling audience members to duty. In this brand new interactive, smartphone-enabled, and clue-breaking adventure, thrill-seeking audiences must infiltrate and take down the shady criminal network behind Death's Door, stem the pandemic, and save the world.
"We are really excited to situate this new piece, On Death's Door: Plague of the Zombie Syndrome, within an urban jungle," says Andy Thompson, The Virtual Stage's award-winning Artistic Director and creator of The Zombie Syndrome. "This third installment of our annual event follows a completely new story line: The military is now working with the Centre for Disease Control to hunt down a mysterious and dangerous villain. Everything that was 'cool' about the last two years' shows returns in this original adventure - from smartphone challenges to alternate endings to a unique role for each audience member."
Last year's production of The Zombie Syndrome: On Death Island enjoyed sold out shows, and was nominated for a 'Critics' Choice Innovation' Jessie Award. The 2012 inaugural production of The Zombie Syndrome also garnered that award nomination, as well as a 'Significant Artistic Achievement' Jessie Award nomination for 'Logistical and Technical Innovation.'
The exact starting point of On Death's Door: Plague of the Zombie Syndrome will remain undisclosed until the day before the mission, when audiences will be contacted with instructions for a top-secret rendezvous point somewhere in Vancouver. Once the audience has gathered, they are assigned various roles as a team of specialists and embark on an exciting high-stakes adventure to preserve the human race.
"The unique Zombie Syndrome experience continues to evolve, taking into account information gathered from previous years," adds Thompson. "On Death's Door: Plague of the Zombie Syndrome is an all-new story, so it can be thoroughly enjoyed by newcomers and returning audiences alike. The sites in the circuit this year are fun, dynamic, theatrical, and spooky."
This highly interactive theatrical scavenger-hunt features technical elements requiring audiences to use smartphones (only one per group required) to navigate through the show and crack clues in their epic quest.
Participants are encouraged to wear walking shoes, dress for the weather, and be prepared to move. As the stars of the show, the audience travels from site-to-site, gathers clues from sudden allies, and faces challenges they must overcome in order to proceed to the next scene. While racing against the clock, teams must maintain constant vigilance - as they never know what's coming next or lurking around the corner on this exhilarating zombie tour!
Additional information about the production, and what to expect, can be found at The Virtual Stage's FAQ.
Shows run Tuesdays through Sundays with performances starting at 6:30pm, 7pm, 7:30pm, 8pm, and 8:30pm. Tickets start at $12.50 (plus tax and service charges) for?"Two-for-One Tuesday Shows" on October 7, 14,?and 21. Regular tickets range from $25 to $35. Special Halloween shows with prizes are $40 to $50. Tickets can be purchased online only at thevirtualstage.org/tickets.
