Energetic Cast Checks into Zany “Bed and Breakfast” at Chorus of Fools

Bed and Breakfast of the Damned
by Cameron McNary
Directed by John Wolbers
Chorus of Fools
October 24, 2026

Horror has been a theme of many local shows this season, some in more serious ways and others taking a comedic turn. For Chorus of Fools’ latest production, Bed and Breakfast of the Damned, the tone is more than just comical–it’s a full farce, with rapid-fire jokes, raunchy moments, and plenty of zombies. And pugs–don’t forget the pugs. While the show itself tends to drag a bit in the first act, the cast is full of energy and enthusiasm, and the staging and production values add to the overall tone and humor of the show. 

The story starts in the middle of a full-blown zombie apocalypse. While the undead creatures roam around outside, the Snug as a Pug Bed and Breakfast has become a refuge for its owners, the fastidious and emotional Carl (Anthony Kramer-Moser) and his amorous wife Sheryl (Nicole Angeli); and the more practical-minded Dan (Ryan Lawson-Maeske) and his wife Carol (Patience Davis). Having stockpiled weapons and kept the zombies locked out, the residents are soon joined by newcomers Ben (Nic Tayborn) and Melissa (Moira Healy), who have managed to flee the zombies and are welcomed in by Carl, who is enthusiastic to tell them about all the features of the B & B, and especially its pug-themed accessories. Soon, however, the new couple is met with a series of surprises, as various shenanigans ensue that eventually make the zombie threat all the more threatening, as well as presenting a situation in which there may be even more threats from inside than from outside.

The show is reasonably fast-paced, and a lot of stuff is going on at once in key moments. Although the first act seems little overlong, the second act gets things moving more, leading to a good deal of choreographed mayhem and serving as a showcase for the especially enthusiastic, highly physical performances. The biggest standout is Kramer-Moser as the cleanliness and pug-obsessed Carl, who has many hilarious moments throughout. There are also strong turns from Tayborn as the increasingly bewildered Ben, Davis as the conflicted Carol, Lawson-Maeske as the possessive Dan, Healy in an especially physically challenging role as Melissa, and Angeli as the sex-obsessed Sheryl. There’s also an energetic “en-ZOMB-le” (Shaun Delmas, Lexie Johnson, Nikki Pilato, and Nicholas Urbanowicz) playing the zombies. Overall, the ensemble chemistry contributes a lot to the humor of the show.

The look and atmosphere of the production are well-maintained by means of Vickie Delmas’s well-crafted set and props, as well as Erik Kuhn’s excellent lighting. The costumes by Liz Henning and blood and makeup effects by Nikki Pilato are also a highlight. Additional kudos go to fight choreographer Michael Pierce, intimacy coordinator Tress Kurzym, and assistant intimacy coordinator Angelia Prather. A show like this requires a lot of precise coordination and timing, and for the most part, this show does that well.

Bed and Breakfast of the Damned should especially appeal to fans of horror comedy, and particularly zombies. Zombies aren’t exactly among my favorite subjects, so I didn’t laugh quite as much a some of the others in the audience, but if this is your thing, I imagine you’ll love it. Still, the enthusiasm of the cast and the look and atmosphere of the production are strong assets for this raunchy, madcap farce. It’s a fitting show for the Halloween season. 

Chorus of Fools is presenting Bread and Breakfast of the Damned at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church until November 1, 2026