Choices: Twin Cities Horror Festival XII

Show: 
Choices

By:
Dangerous Productions

In Short: 

When a group of old friends show up for a birthday surprise, it becomes very clear that the dream has become a nightmare.

Selected Cast/Creative Info: 

A lot of faces familiar from past Dangerous Production shows including Leif Jurgensen, Jay Kistler, Laura Mahler, Haley McCormick Jenkins, Derek Sykes, Lily Mills, and Chad Heslup. Directed by Tyler Olsen-Highness. 

Our Thoughts:

As we walked out of Girls in Bins, and the Dangerous Productions folks walked in, we spotted the tarp and if you listened to Twin Cities Theater Chat's episode about TCHF, you know what that tarp means. Blood and lots of it, and this production did not disappoint. Set in a cabin in the woods, John is surprised by a group of friends ready to celebrate his birthday. But why is he so distressed? And where is his partner Greg? And who keeps knocking on the door? 

Although this show starts of with drinking games and laughter, as with most Dangerous Production TCHF shows, things go downhill very quickly and we just need to tell you that there are two (2) "Blood Assistants" listed on the program. Need we say more? The action switches between the birthday party shenanigans in the present and more intimate scenes with John and Greg in the near past. We were really struck by how beautifully Director Tyler Olsen-Highness made these scene changes. The lights in the cabin were constantly going out and the scene would continue until suddenly, the lights came back on and we found ourselves in an entirely new scene. The timing was fantastic. 

Although the question of what is in the woods remains a mystery, the cast is engaging and utterly committed, particularly to the gory scare. There's still some laughter along with the gasps at gore, with Jay Kistler's Nic a particularly bright spot. We also really enjoyed Derek Sykes whose portrayal of Greg showcased humor and heart as well as an endearing acceptance of his horrific fate. 

You Should See This If You Like:

Obviously, blood and/or gore, impressive special effects, a little laughter with your scare, and a little heart with your entrails.

Girls in Bins: Twin Cities Horror Fest XII

Show: 
Girls in Bins

By:
The Rachel Teagle Effect

In Short: 

Trapped in her house with nothing to do but listen to true crime podcasts, Ruth is startled to discover a case that hits a bit too close to home.

Selected Cast/Creative Info:

An intimate cast of Siri Hellerman, Suzanne Victoria Cross, and Ben Tallen is rounded out by voicework from Rita Boersma, Heather Meyer, and Elena Glass. Written by Rachel Teagle and directed by Jenny Moeller, with a shoutout to 'Gore Goblin' Shea Roberts Gyllen.

Our Thoughts:

First of all, the Director's Note reads: "Thank you for coming to see a horror show about a pregnant woman." Thank YOU, The Rachel Teagle Effect for not taking the path way too frequently traveled in that area. Siri Hellerman's Ruth is a refreshingly cranky and funny pregnant woman who is utterly addicted to the podcast Murder Bitches and captivated by their coverage of a serial killer who kills women and put them in, yes, bins. BTW, did we mention that the stage setting is very spare, with only a sprinkling of plastic storage bins as set. Anyhoo. 

Rachel Teagle's writing of this show is witty and sharp and we immediately warm to Ruth as well as to her delightful and acerbic friend Yvette (played by Suzanne Victoria Cross in a performance that lights up the dang room). I just had to check and see if Murder Bitches IS a real podcast because the hosts Carrie Showers (ha) and Jennifer Boddy (double ha) as played by Rita Boersma and Heather Meyer respectively are so SPOT ON. A shout out to director Jenny Moeller for the beautiful job intertwining the podcast voiceover with the dialogue on the stage. The timing was impeccable. The entire show was an absolute delight. Another shout out to Siri Hellerman, who depicts the physicality of a pregnant woman with complete authenticity, which is not an easy task.

You Should See This If You Like:

Murder podcasts and making fun of them, sarcastic and funny friends, husbands who travel a little too much, and the wonder and mystery in opaque plastic storage bins.

Marie Jeanne Valet Who Defeated Le Bete du Gevaudan: Twin Cities Horror Fest XII

Show: 

Marie Jeanne Valet Who Defeated Le Bete du Gevaudan

By: The Winding Sheet Outfit

In Short: 

France, 1764. Something is hunting the villagers in Gévaudan.

Selected Cast/Creative Info: 

MJVWDLBdG stars lots of delightful familiar faces from previous The Winding Sheet Outfit and Transatlantic Love Affair such as Megan Campbell Lagas, Peyton McCandless, Derek Lee Miller, and Allison Vincent. Directed (and music!) by Amber Bjork with stage management (and magical assistance) from Andre Johnson, Jr. 

Our Thoughts:

No matter what The Winding Sheet Outfit does, it's bound to be magical, mystical, and memorable. Originally produced in 2014 with Sandbox Theater, this was a fantastic kickoff to the Twin Cities Horror Festival XII. While the theatrical magic is incredibly captivating, you may find yourself musing on the allegorical possibilities of this story of a wolf, a girl, a village in poverty, and a king who is heading soon for his own bloody ending. This provided great post-show discussion on the car ride home and a little googling of French history. Rich with story and atmosphere, it's amazing how much theater can be packed into one small hour. 

All of the cast were wonderful (and wore the hell out of those culottes), but we have to give special love to Allison Vincent, who always seems to beautifully balance the delicate line between heartfelt and hilarious. We will never forget Allison's hysterical portrayal of Louis XVI, which reminded us of Hamilton and the scene-stealing King George. How can a show that covers such dark times still make us laugh like crazy? Love ya, The Winding Sheet Outfit.

You Should See This If You Like:

History, devised theater, shadow play, precision, dark fairy tales, capes, the aforementioned culottes, and big wolves.

Super Spooky Horror Recommendations

BareBones Halloween Extravaganza
Photo by Max Haynes

Friends, it's the most wonderful time of the year (if you like horror and theater). But there's a LOT to get to. We have a lot of recommendations and only a few spooky days left!

Don't panic, though! Just listen to the Super Spooky Special Edition of Twin Cities Theater Chat Recommends. Unless you're too scared! Also, listen, subscribe, tell a friend, yada yada!

We talk about the Twin Cities Horror Festival, comedy shows, cabarets and concerts, why this is clearly the year of the puppet, and strategize plans for staying up for late night shows.

And since there's not enough room on our Podcast Show Notes, here's a list of what we talked about AND a few late additions!

Opera Alert! Dark Sisters at Journey North

Quick! Opera fans, particularly fans of contemporary opera, get your tickets to Journey North Opera Co.'s production of Nico Muhly's Dark Sisters, It's only playing September 28 through October 1 at the Southern Theater, so this is officially an opera emergency. 

Cast of Dark Sisters.
Photo by Steve Campbell at
Loco/FX Photography

We'll make this fast: Dark Sisters premiered in 2011 and provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of women living in a polygamous compound who are reeling from a raid in which the government has taken away their children after accusations of abuse. More details:

Passage by Pillsbury House + Theatre and Exposed Brick Theatre

We went to one of our of our favorite local theaters this week to see a co-production by Pillsbury House + Theatre and Exposed Brick Theatre: The compelling, thought-provoking Passage by Christopher Chen.

From left to right. Back row: Valencia Proctor, James A. Williams, Marisa B. Tejeda*.
Front row: Clay Man Soo, Aamera Siddiqui, and Oogie_Push

The details from PH+T's website: 

OH HELLO. Pardon our absence.

Have you ever noticed how sometimes doing things is hard? Like going places that involve leaving the house? And yet when you actually go and do something like seeing an awesome theater production with a delightfully engaged audience, you wonder why you stopped?

From Lucky Hell on Tumblr