The Landless Theatre Company has been granted the exclusive stage rights to present the premiere presentation of 'Diamond Dead', a new rock musical by Richard Hartley, composer of the cult classic, 'The Rocky Horror Show'. The original screenplay by Brian Cooper ('Nymph') has been adapted for the stage by Landless’ Artistic Director, Andrew Lloyd Baughman. The production will be directed by Shirley Serotsky (Source’s 'Titus the Musical') and stars Rachel Anne Warren (ATW’s 'Rocky Horror Show'). 'Diamond Dead' runs September 30 through October 30, Thursday through Saturday nights, at the DCAC in Adams Morgan. Press preview night is Thursday, September 30 at 7:30pm. Invited press night is Saturday, October 2 (6:30pm reception, 7:00pm curtain).

**A discussion session with Hartley and the creative team will immediately follow the performance.**

“We never expected to get this kind of opportunity handed to us,” said Baughman. “Landless is incredibly lucky to have a chance to workshop a production that has the potential to become a phenomenon in the years to come.” The internationally based creative team includes Hartley, Cooper, Romero and Andrew Gaty, the Los Angeles-based film producer of 'Diamond Dead'.

“Ordinarily we would have never looked at Washington as an outlet for this experiment,” said Gaty. “But when Landless Theatre approached us with their ideas, we all thought ‘Why not?’ If this works, we will continue to develop the stage version of 'Diamond Dead'. It has the potential to be as original and unique and different as 'Rocky Horror' was in its day.”

Though composer Richard Hartley has staunchly refused to be involved in any stage musical since 'Rocky Horror', he is finally returning to the theatre scene and is composing new songs for the 'Diamond Dead' premiere. Hartley, along with Gaty and Cooper, will be in DC for the opening weekend of Diamond Dead and will be on hand for a Q & A during press night.

'Diamond Dead' centers around a garage rock band that dies in a “tragic subwoofer accident,” only to be brought back to life as cannibal zombies through a special arrangement with Death. Preying on the public's thirst for the unusual and unknown, the band uses their “undead” status to achieve rock superstardom (and a few meals along the way). “When I first looked at the 'Diamond Dead' screenplay, I didn't want to simply put the movie on stage - there would be technical limitations, and we didn't want to give away the plot of the upcoming movie,” Baughman said.

“Our adaptation is more of an interactive experimental work that focuses on developing Brian Cooper's colorful characters, and combines some of the best elements of 'The Rocky Horror Show', 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch', 'Tony and Tina’s Wedding' and 'Spinal Tap'. We hope to create a rock concert event that people won't forget!” 'Diamond Dead' will run September 30 through October 30, 2004, Thursday through Saturday evenings at 7:30pm with one matinee on October 24 at 3:00pm. All performances are held at the DCAC located at 2438 18th Street, NW in Adams Morgan. Tickets are $20.00 each and can be purchased online here .

Visit our official site for details on the rest of Landless Theatre Company’s 2004-2005 season.

So it’s not the whole thing, but rather a sneak peek of what to expect when Romero finally gets around to it. Good luck with the run, guys.

"Moriarty" out.