If you can mix zombies with "Pride and Prejudice," why stop at that classic?

University of Hawaii theater professor Markus Wessendorf has merged Anton Chekhov and the walking dead in "Uncle Vanya and Zombies" at Kennedy Theatre, playing through Sunday as an On the Mainstage offering.

The plot: An accident on a nuclear submarine in Pearl Harbor has turned Oahu into a wasteland infested with zombies. (Hilo is now the state’s capital.) The UH theater has been converted into a TV studio that broadcasts a reality game show — "Theatre Masterpieces and Zombies" — in which contestants must act in a classical play while dodging hungry zombies let loose by show host and real-life drag queen Cocoa Chandelier.

Having set a ratings record with "The Tempest and Zombies," this particular episode presents "Uncle Vanya," Chekhov’s tragicomedy about wasted lives set on a Russian country estate. Contestants must stay in character and not miss a line or be disqualified; the winner gets passage to a safe zone.

This version of the Chekhov classic is updated with mentions of blogs, the appearance of iPads and a loud sampling of a single by Pussy Riot, the all-female punk band whose members were recently jailed in Russia for "hooliganism."

The eight contestants turn in appropriately frazzled performances, an impressive feat since each is performing the actual Chekhov play while being chased on stage by the lounging (or lunging) undead.

Harold Wong is hilarious as Waffles, a rebellious former militia member prone to obscene gestures, and Chandelier manages to steal the show with a one-liner about the botched Stevie Wonder concert.

UH English professor Craig Howes has a cameo as a guest on the game show, there to explain Chekhov’s relationship to "Uncle Vanya." Howes manages to give a lecture with a straight face even while a recently "turned" zombie pounds on a door behind him.

Suffice to say, this is local satire at its blackest. The pace occasionally gets bogged down like a crawling zombie, which is a bit ironic since the stage houses a cage filled with the moaning, ravenous creatures, but there is always a punchline or sight gag to pick things up. These include an impromptu zombie-fied version of "The Nutcracker" that has to be seen to be believed.

Be prepared for harassment as game show co-host Walt Gaines steps off the stage to interview audience members. There are even zombies growling at you in the lobby as you check in.

"The Walking Dead" fans, "Resident Evil" junkies and other afficionados of the genre will, ahem, eat up "Uncle Vanya and Zombies." Squeamish Chekhov purists with no sense of humor may be dismayed at what’s become of their beloved source material, and those with tender sensibilities should probably avoid the show like the zombie plague.

The rest should take a chance on this unexpected charmer.