URBAN DEATH: TOUR OF TERROR will take place October 26, 27, 31 and November 2-3 with performances at 8pm, 9pm, 10pm, 10:45pm and 11:30pm. For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit http://zombiejoes.com/ or http://zombiejoes.tix.com/.
Something I’ve come to learn since living in California is that Halloween wouldn’t be Halloween without a Zombie Joe show and lo and behold, they are back once again with their newest rendition of URBAN DEATH: TOUR OF TERROR HAUNTED ATTRACTION. Not only does this experience include a phenomenal theatrical performance, but guests have the chance to walk through a darkened maze of confusion filled with the most depraved and horrifying creatures imaginable.
One thing that has always impressed me about Zombie Joe’s is how they are able to convey so much emotion and terror with the use of minimal set dressing. Upon entering the building, guests will have the chance to walk through a maze in pitch black, designed with makeshift walls that seemed to be made out of what looked to be a material similar to black polyethylene with only an erratic flashlight to guide the way. Unfortunately, my flashlight didn’t seem to be working properly and barely had any light whatsoever, making the maze slightly difficult to navigate. Though this made it so that I couldn’t see much of what the actors were performing, it did allow for the maze to be that much more terrifying as I found myself alone and confused with impenetrable blackness surrounding me.
Once I found my way out of the maze, I took a seat on the risers to prepare for the main performance. Words will never do justice to a show like URBAN DEATH, as it is truly something that should be experienced in all its glory. There have been many renditions of URBAN DEATH but I must say, this one in particular is probably my favorite to date. The show features a multitude of vignettes that ranged from themes featuring death, abuse, torture, and everything in-between. I know that might sound really intense, and at times the visual assault can be hard to watch it, but there’s a touch of humor that shines through to help alleviate the overwhelming feeling of dread. These performances also take place with little to not set design, allowing the audience to use their imagination to fill in the blanks. This can be a double edged sword, especially if you have a vivid imagination like me, but it’s one of the reasons why I love going to Zombie Joe’s to begin with.
I can’t write a review about URBAN DEATH without mentioning the actors because they truly are the ones that make this show what it is. Their talent, dedication, and passion is seen in every inch of their performance from their emotions to their body movement – it is truly a sight to behold. Combining both realistic scenarios with supernatural elements, you never know what you are going to get, and each actor brings these stories to life in a way that you won’t see anywhere else. One word of caution though, with a show such as this it is important to make note that it can be very triggering as it deals with a lot of intense themes, nudity and graphic imagery.
When the show comes to an end, audience members than get to go through the dizzying maze of blackness once again in the opposite direction that they came. This time, the flashlight that I was given worked much better which allowed me to see some of the ghoulish monstrosities hidden in the darkest corners of this labyrinth. Upon exiting, guests will find that there is a little treat for making it out of the frightening maze of horror, which is something that I really appreciate them doing. All in all, URBAN DEATH: TOUR OF TERROR HAUNTED ATTRACTION is a definite must-do for the Halloween season as it brings something uniquely different from what other haunts do, so make sure you get over there for a evening you won’t soon forget!
Founder/Editor-in-Chief at Nightmarish Conjurings
Shannon is the Founder of Nightmarish Conjurings and a lover of all things horror and haunt related. When she's not obsessively collecting all things "Trick 'R Treat" related, or trying to convince everyone that "Hereditary" is one of the greatest horror films ever made, you can find her designing interiors for commercial restaurants. An avid haunt fan, Shannon spends the entire year visiting haunts and immersive experiences throughout the Southern California area and hopes to one day design her own haunted attraction.
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