Every horror aficionado knows the pleasures of the all-night monster movie marathon. In fact, scary flicks are positively de rigueur when it comes to setting the mood for the Halloween season. But what about their oft-overlooked, live action brethren, the scary play?
Unlike cold, impersonal celluloid, an evening at the theater offers viewers the unique thrill of seeing the grotesque, the gross, and the macabre live and in person! Luckily, L.A. is no slouch when it comes to creepy plays. Here are some of the most notable upcoming productions set to grace local stages this fall:
- Nevermore, a one-man show starring Jeffrey Combs as Edgar Allan Poe, is currently running at the Steve Allen Theater (4773 Hollywood Blvd., LA, CA 90027). Combs, writer Dennis Paoli and director Stuart Gordon (the masterminds behind the cult film classic Re-Animator) offer a decidedly more humorous take on Poe, while still touching on the inner turmoil bubbling beneath the surface. Due to popular demand, the play has been extended through September 26th.
- Not to Be: The Shakespearean Death Project comes to us from the evil geniuses at Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group (4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601). ZJU has resolved to “push the limits of live progressive theater as a vital experimental art form in honor of the famous Antonin Artaud.” Artaud, in case you’re not familiar, originated an extreme, provocative style of theater that he dubbed “Theatre of Cruelty” – so you know this will be creepy and disturbing! Not to Be runs for just two weekends, September 4-6 and 11-13, but keep an eye out for future Zombie Joe productions.
- Little Shop of Horrors at the Knightsbridge Theatre (1944 Riverside Dr. LA, CA 90039), based on the infamous Roger Corman film of the same name. brings everyone’s favorite man-eating plant back to the stage starting September 5th and running until October 11th.
- Improv Zombies Ate My Brain! at bang. studio (457 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90048) boasts one intriguing tagline: “Once you’re over the fact that THE DEAD HAVE RISEN TO FEAST UPON THE FLESH OF THE LIVING, you’ll have a good time!” Okay, I’m sold. Check out the unscripted, undead antics on September 12, 19, 26 or – naturally – October 31st.
- Frankenstein in Love at the Hunger Artists Theatre Company (701 S State College Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92831) may necessitate sneaking a peak behind the Orange Curtain, but it sounds like the trip will be well worth it: This play is a product of the inimitably warped mind of one Mr. Clive Barker, and is described on the website as a “funny, horrific Guignol epic.” The show runs October 2nd through November 1st
- Night of the Living Dead at the Maverick Theater (110 E. Walnut Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832) is another O.C. offering – and one that comes highly recommended, both by local press and close friends of yours truly. And, really, who hasn’t wanted to see a zombie classic in real life? Clear some space in your Halloween schedule for this one! NOTLD will run from October 2nd through November 1st.
- The Rocky Horror Show (also at the Maverick) brings the epic tale of cross-dressing mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter back where it belongs – on the stage. The play runs from October 16th through November 21st, but if you’re interested in both of the Maverick’s seasonal offerings, you can catch a “Sci Fi Double Feature” of NOTLD and Rocky Horror for just $30. See the website for details.
- Absolutely Halloween at the Santa Monica Playhouse (1211 4th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401) is, by its own admission “a heartwarming tale” – but, since it’s intended for children, we’ll let that slide. If you’re looking for something appropriate for the little ones (what, they don’t like sweet transvestites?), this is almost certainly the ticket. Catch Absolutely Halloween on Saturdays and Sundays between October 18th and the 31st.
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