Unsettling, hilarious, and brilliantly rendered socio-sci-fi-dark-satire with absurd elements. Paige Zubel explores masculinity, gender roles, gender identity, and the intersection between those things and violence in an extremely original and insightful way. The whole bizarre theatrical reality is established brilliantly and subtly, with nary a hint of unnecessary exposition. The contrast of Alex's urgent quest with the devolving dynamic between Beanie, Boris, and Brian creates tension and a propulsive energy. I love how this piece works as exciting, apocalyptic sci-fi as well as an extended metaphor for escaping prescribed roles with what felt like a cautiously optimistic ending.

I was lucky enough to see this piece as a reading before and found it absolutely thrilling. Now, in our time of covid, it's viral, post-apocalyptic setting somehow feels even more relevant. Here, Zubel is the crafter of a unique and terrifying world where BBQs rule, women are zombies, and you really shouldn't trust the meat. The characters are absolutely brimming with humor and the writing as as clever as it gets. And throughout is an overwhelming need to survive and find some semblance of normalcy. I highly recommend this play!

Saw this performed as a staged reading by Ignition Arts at the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma in March 2019. Smart and delightfully perplexing, Zubel undercuts the dude-bro caricatures and laugh-out-loud absurdist humor with the claustrophobic scenes of Alex and her quest for survival. An unexpected, thought-provoking take on zombies about gender and rules and the importance of BBQ.