The Coterie Presents SLASHDANCE!, 3/7-24

The Coterie presents the world premiere production of Slashdance!, a hilariously grisly parody that pits the iconic '80's movie Flashdance against cannibalistic hoards, March 7 - 24, written and directed by local theatre impresario Ron MeGee.

ABOUT THE PLAY

Set in a futuristic Kansas City after the apocalyptic Flesh Wars, Slashdance! tells the story of female dynamo, Alexis Bowens, who is a true maniac: welder by day, dancer by night. Her dream is to get into a real dance company though, and nothing's going to get in her way - not even a giant herd of fast-moving, virus-infected human cannibals... or her boyfriend's lack of support. Not only will she finally get her big break, but killing cannibalistic hoards is even better for her abs than Pilates!

What a feeling!, indeed. Featuring several songs from Flashdance's era-defining soundtrack, Slashdance! captures the sound of the 80's but underscores it with the pounding of running feet - both those of the flesh-eating cannibals as well as the masses of "normal folks" trying to escape their deadly bite. "My inspiration for Slashdance! was thinking about a post-apocalyptic Kansas City and how people, given their instinct to survive, would continue on with their lives and still be able to dream of a better future. This is so much of the appeal of the movie Flashdance - but I imagined them dreaming of this future while fighting flesh-eating cannibals! I also think the music from Flashdance is one of the best albums of all time. I mean, come on, who doesn't love Maniac and What a Feeling?" says Ron MeGee, who has previously tickled and taunted audiences with his Coterie At Night productions of Children of the Damned Corn, Maul of the Dead, Sorority House of the Dead, Spooky Dog: A Scooby-Doo Mystery, and Night of the Living Dead. "I wanted to go to a new level with our attackers, past the zombie phase, and step into a more terrifying flesh eater. Cannibals were the next step. They move really fast (appearing out of nowhere), are cunning, and are out to eat flesh... at all costs! And some are just getting the virus into their bodies, so they live in a state between being half-human and half-cannibal."

Produced as part of The Coterie's newly re-named pop culture series The Coterie Ignites (formerly Coterie At Night), Slashdance! is intended for adults and teens; no one under 13 will be admitted. It is funded in part by the Missouri Arts Council, ArtsKC Fund, and Theatre League.