Dead Meat

70 minutes, no intermission.

It’s the end of the world. A once-promising medication goes awry, mutating 51% of the world’s population into shells of human beings, with only the basic motor functions left to chase, bite, and kill. (Yep. They’re zombies.)

Three men—seemingly alone in the apocalypse—honestly are pretty all right with it. With all the women gone, they can finally kick back, relax, and get back to...

70 minutes, no intermission.

It’s the end of the world. A once-promising medication goes awry, mutating 51% of the world’s population into shells of human beings, with only the basic motor functions left to chase, bite, and kill. (Yep. They’re zombies.)

Three men—seemingly alone in the apocalypse—honestly are pretty all right with it. With all the women gone, they can finally kick back, relax, and get back to their men-only BBQ.

Until Alex—an intersex woman—distorts the dichotomies in which they view their black-and-white world. How is Alex alive? Is Alex's life worth saving? And—ultimately—how can the men go about saving Alex when women are strictly against the BBQ rules?

In a quest for survival, adaptation is necessary. Will masculinity bend for a new world, or is the pull of the routines of a lost time too strong to resist?

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Dead Meat

Recommended by

  • Nick Malakhow: Dead Meat

    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...

    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.

  • Julie Zaffarano: Dead Meat

    A gripping, crazy-assed (in the best way possible), terrifying, hysterically funny portrayal of the end of the world. Three flawed men desperately to try hang on to a crazy perception of “dudeness” as the real world crumbles. Zubel’s brilliant play will keep you up all night thinking about it.

    A gripping, crazy-assed (in the best way possible), terrifying, hysterically funny portrayal of the end of the world. Three flawed men desperately to try hang on to a crazy perception of “dudeness” as the real world crumbles. Zubel’s brilliant play will keep you up all night thinking about it.

  • Ignition Arts: Dead Meat

    A post-apocalyptic barbecue. There's meat, too many goldfish, and a bizarre memorial ritual that involves twinkie-binging. Did I mention that all the women have become zombies? Oh, and that the all-XY cast is played by women? Don't be fooled by the threat of the undead: this irreverent testosterone tragedy sneaks in some insightful commentary under the guise of a zombie chiller. Creepy and clever.

    A post-apocalyptic barbecue. There's meat, too many goldfish, and a bizarre memorial ritual that involves twinkie-binging. Did I mention that all the women have become zombies? Oh, and that the all-XY cast is played by women? Don't be fooled by the threat of the undead: this irreverent testosterone tragedy sneaks in some insightful commentary under the guise of a zombie chiller. Creepy and clever.

View all 6 recommendations

Character Information

All roles are played by women or non-binary performers.
  • BRIAN
    He makes a rule every time a woman gives him a fake number (he has a lot of rules).
    Character Age
    early 30s
  • BEANIE
    He was probably a dog in a past life. One of those dogs on the side of the road where you look at them and think, “Poor guy, someone should take him home,” but you drive off really fast because you are definitely not taking him home. You were probably thinking a cute, lovable dog at first. But nope.
    Character Age
    30s, older than Brian
  • BORIS
    Has a serious issue with a food. Like, he should see someone about that.
    Character Age
    early 30s, same age or a little younger than Brian
  • ALEX
    Intersex, a woman (which is against the rules).
    Character Age
    late 20s-30s

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Relative Theatrics, Year 2020
  • Type Workshop, Organization Normal Ave Productions, Year 2019
  • Type Reading, Organization PlayPenn, Year 2019
  • Type Workshop, Organization New York Winterfest, Year 2018
  • Type Reading, Organization Elephant Ear Productions Reading Series, Year 2017

Awards

  • New Play Festival
    Players Club of Swarthmore
    Finalist
    2020