It’s officially spooky season, ya’ll!
Bring on all the scary things, because I’m ready to celebrate Halloween all month long. I kicked off last October with Open Stage of Harrisburg’s production of Carrie and it was the perfect way to usher in the scariest season of the year.
This year, Gamut Theatre Group is ringing in the holiday with its Stage Door Series and TMI Improv Troupe’s production of The Monster Mash-Up: A Hybrid of Humor and Horror.
The show features two classic stories, The Monkeys Paw and The Lottery, as well as improv based on audience suggestions. The two stories will be produced by different casts and directors.
The Monkeys Paw weaves a tale of greed and desire to prove the old adage ‘nothing is actually free.’
“Whether the cost of something is monetary or otherwise, you can’t actually gain anything without spending something else,” says director Jeff Luttermoser. “The idea that we could be careful about what we wish for is cross-cultural, cross-generational, and virtually timeless.”
In The Lottery, the story’s community follows a pretty severe tradition, which may just be an excuse for all hell to break loose. Director Thomas Weaver says, “traditions make communities stronger. They link us to the past in the hopes that we never forget our origins, for better or for worse. But in some cases, a perversion of the notion of ‘tradition’ provides an excuse for some to engage in violence and hate.”
Sounds like The Lottery will definitely be more tricks than treats!
I had the chance to catch a few shows at Gamut over the past year, and I’ve been impressed with each production.
My first visit to the theatre was last December to see Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!), which was HILARIOUS. I laughed out loud pretty much the entire show. It was so fun, and I just know the Gamut crew will bring that same spunk and energy to their Halloween show this year.
The Monster Mash-Up opens Friday, Oct. 4 and runs through Oct. 13 with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2:30.
FYI…as part of its Stage Door Series, ticket prices are BYOP, or bring your own price. A donation of any size buys your ticket at the door — what a (trick-or-) treat!
Check out what else is happening at Gamut. Next up, the Popcorn Hat Players will present Sleeping Beauty beginning Oct. 14.
