A Thriller Night at Bass Performance Hall

Acting troupe brings Fort Worth audience to its feet for surprise tribute to MJ

Theater-goers were treated to some of Michael Jackson's signature moves in downtown Fort Worth on Tuesday, the same day the late pop icon was remembered in a public memorial service in Los Angeles.

The audience was surprised to see zombies take the stage just after intermission during a Casa Manana's production of Little Shop of Horrors.

"The dance is the three-minute version of Michael Jackson’s 'Thriller'," dancer Jessica Lambert said. "It was hard to do at first, but once you get into the groove, it’s a lot easier."

Hangman’s House of Horrors, a Fort Worth acting troupe, had been practicing the zombie routine for more than a month when the pop icon passed away unexpectedly.

"I was in rehearsal learning the dance at Casa Manana when we found out that he died," Lambert said. "Everyone was just crushed, and then we were like, 'Cool, it will be kind of like a tribute.'"

It was a memorial tribute no one expected, but one that brought the Fort Worth audience to its feet.

The group will perform the "Thriller" routine all week at performances of Little Shop of Horrors. Tickets are still available and on sale for $25.

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