The Evergreen Theater's production of "Romeo and Juliet" took an unexpected turn on opening night. As Juliet lay on her bier, Romeo raised the vial of poison to his lips. Suddenly, a stagehand stumbled onto the set, his eyes glazed and skin a sickly gray. "Is this part of the show?" whispered an audience member. The stagehand lurched towards Romeo, who improvised, "What manner of creature art thou?" More zombified crew members shambled onstage. The lead actress playing Juliet sat up, confused. "This isn't in the script," she hissed. Panic spread as the audience realized this was no act. Some fled, while others succumbed to the rapidly spreading infection. The theater descended into chaos as the living and undead clashed in an unscripted performance. Amidst the mayhem, the actor playing Romeo found himself protecting Juliet from their former cast-mates. They barricaded themselves in the costume department, surrounded by period dresses and prop swords. "Well," Romeo said, brandishing a fake rapier, "I guess we're in for one hell of an encore." Juliet grabbed a heavy candlestick. "Indeed. Though I doubt the critics will be kind." As moans echoed through the theater, the star-crossed lovers prepared for the performance of their lives – this time, with real stakes.