In 2023, Jana Wimer and Robert Bullwinkel made waves at the Vegas Theatre Company with their groundbreaking play, Abandon. This R-rated horror experience has taken the city by storm, earning the Weekly’s Best of Vegas award for Best Theater Shock.
Bullwinkel, who is both the executive producer and co-writer alongside Wimer, reflects on the moment they pitched the concept to Daz Weller, stating, “They took a risk on us. We walked into Daz’s office and we had a little pitch deck. He bought the show on the pitch deck. That’s just the kind of spirit they have. They’re really willing to step outside of their comfort zone.”
The success of Abandon led to its return during the summer and Halloween seasons, appealing to an audience eager for an immersive horror experience.
Bullwinkel emphasizes, “There’s definitely an audience for what we’re doing. Vegas has shown us that they are ready for this kind of sick, twisted and demented production.”
Following this success, Wimer and Bullwinkel are set to challenge audiences yet again with their psychological horror production, Urban Death. Wimer has a significant history with this show, having co-created it with Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group in Hollywood two decades ago, and directing versions globally in places such as LA, Edinburgh, and Cape Town.
Wimer describes the essence of Urban Death, noting its origins in darkness, stating, “When I first saw a show with Zombie Joe’s, the first thing that struck me was the lights went out and it was pitch black. You couldn’t see your hand in front of your face.”
This unique approach allows the creative team to present surprises to the audience as the lights dim, enhancing the element of surprise and fear.
Unlike traditional plays, Urban Death lacks character arcs or a traditional plot. Instead, it features a series of vignettes—brief horror stories that unfold on stage, only to be abruptly ended as darkness falls once more. Wimer explains, “We really partner with the audience’s imagination. We imply a lot and the imagination fills it in.”
Over the span of 20 years, the production has amassed nearly 900 vignettes. The upcoming performance at the Vegas Theatre Company will include returning cast members from Abandon, showcasing new pieces tailored with a local Vegas twist.
Bullwinkel highlights the interplay of horror and humor in the show, stating, “One of the most successful things about Urban Death is that you’ll be scared, you’ll be grossed out, you’ll be really scared, and then you laugh.” He likens the laughter to a “Zamboni cleaning the ice,” preparing the audience for the next wave of fear.
Those planning to watch Urban Death are encouraged to do so on an empty stomach and with an open mind. Bullwinkel warns that this experience will not only challenge attendees but also offer an opportunity for escape as it taps into contemporary fears.
He reflects on the turbulent times we live in, suggesting, “This show gives us a little bit of catharsis. We can come together as a community, feel this together, cry, laugh, scream together. And we’ll leave feeling better about the world around us because of what we’ve seen.”
image source from：lasvegasweekly
