Wednesday, October 31, 2018

TCHF VII: Reverend Matt's Monster Science - Demons of the Deep Blue Sea

Show: Demons of the Deep Blue Sea
By: Monster Science Productions

Krakens are the best. Look at him hug that ship!
Genre: Theater, Comedy, historical, non-fiction, storytelling

What's It All About:
"Rev. Matt’s infotational talks return! Get the historical background, comedy jokes, and PowerPoint that you need about the monsters we create and the fears they embody. This year, the first two dates will feature a talk about Old Nick, the First Among the Fallen, the history of the Christian Satan himself. And the last three will be a piece about sirens, krakens, Great Cthulhu, and other horrors of the deep blue sea!"

What We Thought:
Reverend Matt of Rev. Matt's Monster Science is presenting two shows at this year's Twin Cities Horror Festival: Sympathy for the Devil and Demons of the Deep Blue Sea. We've already gone on at considerable length about Rev. Matt and his Monster Science, who we first encountered at last year's TCHF. We've used the word delightful more times than we can count. We see his shows even when they are VERY LATE. What else is there to say?

We will say this: When Rev. Matt talks about cephalopods, his face lights up.

Many people can (and DO) talk about their passions endlessly, but Rev. Matt makes his passion (for monsters!) personal, relatable, informative and completely hilarious. His enthusiasm is endearing and infectious--especially for the topic of creatures of the sea, which is rich with mythological, historical, and literary wonder, plus a few Ray Harryhausen references.

In a Star Tribune article, Jason Ballweber of the TCHF says: "'You could talk to Reverend Matt all night if you just asked him, ‘Hey, what do you think about vampires?’" After seeing a Rev. Matt's Monster Science show, that's exactly what you want to do. Demons of the Deep Blue Sea is one of his most delightful shows. Don't miss it.

TCHF VII: Greenway

Show: Greenway
By: Tom Reed


Genre: Theater, Survival, Suspense

What's It All About:
"Late on a crisp fall night, a bike commuter’s worst nightmare comes true. Eva is riding alone on the Greenway bike path - a dark trench lit only by her bike light - and something unfriendly starts following her. And it's catching up. And she can’t pedal any faster. And her light just died."

What We Thought:
So far, Greenway is the spookiest show at the Twin Cities Horror Festival this year. Yay, spooky! Written and directed by Tom Reed, the play starts with a group of friends heading off after an evening at a show. Eva gets on her bike to head home and her coworker (boss?) Dave offers to accompany her home. He persuades her to take the Greenway instead of her preferred city streets. The conversation that ensues between Eva and Dave is freaking SPOT-ON and way too familiar, and soon Eva is on her own on the Greenway.

To say much more would be spoilery, but suffice it to say that she should have taken the city streets. Think Duel on bikes. The staging and use of lighting is ingenious and realistic. Greenway has a delightful slow burn and beautifully settles into a suspenseful, tense atmosphere which ends with a genuinely uncertain resolution. And I'm really glad I didn't have to ride my bike home.

TCHF VII: Book of Shadows II

Show: Book of Shadows II
By: Erin Sheppard Presents


Genre: Dance, Storytelling, Psychological

What's It All About:
"Book of Shadows II revisits the underlying theme of witchcraft from the first Book of Shadows, exploring more facets of magic through dance and storytelling. Dances delve into dark magic and the horrors that await when tampering with the unknown. Taj Ruler casts more delightful spells written as a young tween witch, which are interspersed between dances. Sometimes magic is the only way to get what you truly want.'

What We Thought:
Discovering the work of Erin Sheppard Presents has been one of the best things about the Twin Cities Horror Festival. Not being particular dance fans, we might not have checked out her work if not for TCHF. We caught Erin Sheppard's work back at TCHF V with Book of Shadows and loved last year's After the Party and have been avid fans ever since.

Book of Shadows II was listed as a sequel to the first, which, in addition to dance, featured stories by Taj Ruler. This time around, Heather Meyer (creator of the legendary Women's History Month: The Historical Comedybration) tells a story called The Five Tools of Sophia Turnbolt, about a girl who longs to become a witch. The dance numbers are a bit less related to the narrative than in past shows we've seen by Erin Sheppard Presents, but are still fantastic. We love Erin Sheppard's musical choices, which are delightful, and her dances are modern and fresh. The dancers (sporting AMAZING E.S.P. jackets) are strong and versatile, and portray emotions from humor to love to menace with equal skill. 

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Twin Cities Horror Fest VII: Review Round-up

Dear TCHF, Love us.
Friends, I can't remember: Did we mention that we LOVE the Twin Cities Horror Festival? Cause we do. And you should GO. Sincerely, us.

For your TCHF-going (or vicarious reading) enjoyment, here are links to our posts about the shows in this year's festival:

A Morbid History of Sons and Daughters by The Vincent Hovis Experience
"The performances are universally excellent and the songs are intriguing..."

Reverend Matt's Monster Science: Sympathy for the Devil by Monster Science Productions
"His delightful shows are a perfect intermezzo between more spooky offerings."

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Rogues Gallery Arts
"Just a beautifully done show. Bring your family--or anyone who is young at heart."


St Kilda by Jody Christopherson
"Atmospheric and dreamy, St Kilda is a unique theatrical experience."

Book of Shadows II by Erin Sheppard Presents
"Her musical choices are delightful, and her dances are modern and fresh."

Greenway by Tom Reed
"Has a delightful slow burn and beautifully settles into a suspenseful, tense atmosphere"

Reverend Matt's Monster Science: Demons of the Deep Blue Sea by Monster Science Productions
"Rev. Matt makes his passion (for monsters!) personal, relatable, informative and completely hilarious."


And here's what other reviewers are saying:

TC Horror Fest review: Danger on the Greenway, campfire tales, and other terrors - Jay Gabler (City Pages)



Monday, October 29, 2018

TCHF VII: St Kilda

Show: St Kilda
By: Jody Christopherson


Genre: Music, Theater , Badass Scottish/ American, Supernatural, Feminist, Travel Horror, includes some Comedy and Gore

What's It All About:
"After the death of her Grandmother, an American woman travels to an abandoned island off the coast of Scotland and unearths a dark family secret. St Kilda is a new horror play/theatrical mono-concert written and performed in near darkness by New York-based award winning theater artist Jody Christopherson."

What We Thought:
Atmospheric and dreamy, St Kilda is a unique theatrical experience. Alone on a bare, dark stage, Jody Christopherson (who also wrote the show) tells the story of journeying to the mysterious Scottish island of her beloved late grandmother's birth. St Kilda uses looping audio, interspersed recorded voices in conversation, and haunting song snippets to build an uncanny, unsettling story (and world) of secrets and mystery.

New York-based performer Jody Christopherson is an engaging storyteller, and her technical mastery is impressive as she manipulates her microphones, recorders and sound effect props to create this story. Although seeing the machinations steals a bit of focus, she creates a wonderfully magical soundscape. St Kilda is directed by Isaac Byrne, with Foley and sound design by Andy Evan Cohen, and you can check out this preview to get a sense of her work.

The setting Christopherson chose is a particularly intriguing one. According to the program, "St. Kilda is very loosely based on historical facts surrounding the evacuation of St. Kilda's only inhabitable island, Hirta, on August 29th 1930, following the death of 22-year-old Mary Gillies." Atlas Obscura provides more of the story: "Their lives had become unsustainable in the face of modernity and a rapidly diminishing population. The evacuation took place on August 29th that same year, when a ship called Harebell took the remaining villagers to their new homes in mainland Scotland. The villagers left behind a plate of oats and an open Bible in each cottage before boarding the ship." Fascinating!

Mysterious Scottish island? Of course this show reminds us of one of the greatest horror films EVER: The Wicker Man (1973). Won't some local theater company do a production of this? Or at least a concert of the amazing soundtrack? Please?

TCHF VII: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Show: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
By: Rogues Gallery Arts


Genre: Theater, Music, All Ages, comedy, historical, non-fiction, storytelling

What's It All About:
"Based on the classic American horror story by Washington Irving. In the old town of Sleepy Hollow Katrina Van Tassel meets the new schoolmaster, Ichabod Crane. He desires her hand, but several obstacles stand against their pairing including local ruffian, Brom Bones, and the ghostly spectre of a Headless Horseman rumored to reside in the area."

What We Thought:
I do love the HH. Not sure what that says
about my taste in men.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is the only show in the Twin Cities Horror Festival that's listed as "family friendly" and judging by the giggles from the children in the theater, it's a success. (And children are a tough audience!) This show is beautifully adapted from Washington Irving's story by Duck Washington and Tim Wick. Although this is a familiar tale, the adaptation has rich characterization of even the supporting characters. (More of Jason Kruger's Reuben, please!)

The musical trio of Arabella (Erin Kennedy), Stan (Geoffrey Brown) and Burt (Tim Wick) narrate the action with clever, tuneful songs by Geoffrey Brown and Tim Wick. Andy Browers as Ichabod Crane and Missy Watson as Katrina Von Tassel are charming, engaging performers and their love story has a surprising, feminist twist. Mahmoud Hakima's sympathetic portrayal of Brom Bones made me reconsider the character entirely. The low-tech, but ingenious design of minimal props and projections focuses on the strong storytelling, creating a beautifully old-fashioned experience. That said, the depiction of the Headless Horseman and his chase of Ichabod is AMAZING. Just a beautifully done show. Bring your family--or anyone who is young at heart.

Last year, Rogues Gallery Arts brought us the most chilling play in the festival: Intuition and the Mantis. Remembering that show made us appreciate anew Duck Washington's writing and especially his gifts in creating strong characters, especially women. 💓 

TCHF VII: Reverend Matt's Monster Science - Sympathy for the Devil

Show: Reverend Matt's Monster Science: Sympathy for the Devil
By: Monster Science Productions

Amazing photo by Kari Elizabeth Godfrey

Genre: Theater, comedy, historical, non-fiction, storytelling

What's It All About:
"Rev. Matt’s infotational talks return! Get the historical background, comedy jokes, and PowerPoint that you need about the monsters we create and the fears they embody. This year, the first two dates will feature a talk about Old Nick, the First Among the Fallen, the history of the Christian Satan himself. And the last three will be a piece about sirens, krakens, Great Cthulhu, and other horrors of the deep blue sea!'"

What We Thought:
Reverend Matt's Monster Science is becoming a Twin Cities institution, with a constantly-expanding array of hilarious, informative presentations about monsters. He has two shows at TCHF: Sympathy for the Devil (first two dates) and Demons of the Deep Blue Sea (remaining three shows). In Sympathy, Rev. Matt provides an in-depth look at depictions of Satan through the millennia with copious historical references. His trusty accompanying Powerpoint was particularly useful as some of the descriptions of the devil are truly bewildering (three heads? heads in stomachs?) This show made me wish for a syllabus--or at least a list of the complex names of the devil. (Or maybe not! Eek!)

Did we mention also the funny? One of the most unique aspects of Rev. Matt's particular brand of storytelling is his ability to add humor to a fairly academic presentation with only a quirk of an eyebrow or a well-timed shrug--in addition to superbly dry jokes, of course. The pop culture references are also a treat. We particularly loved seeing a favorite Harvey comics character pop up, which made us seriously rethink our childhood reading choices. Go see Rev. Matt. His delightful shows are a perfect intermezzo between more spooky offerings at the Twin Cities Horror Fest.

Side note: While I was writing this, this song came on my Halloween mix, so I'm sharing it with you. The incomparable Bessie Smith singing "Devil's Gonna Get You."


TCHF VII: A Morbid History of Sons and Daughters

Show: A Morbid History of Sons and Daughters
By: The Vincent Hovis Experience

Eep. Kids in masks. Yikes.

Genre: Music, Psychological

What's It All About:
"There's a sickness in our blood. A desire for something sinister that is passed down from generation to generation. An impulse that turns into a want that turns into a need. You are cordially invited to The Ritual. Five people gather to tell interweaving tales of tendencies they have spent a lifetime trying to contain. But sometimes, we all need a little release. And nothing can make you feel more at home than seeing the light drain from a person's eyes. A Morbid History of Sons & Daughters is an exploration of lineage and the darkest recesses of the human mind.'"

What We Thought:
Even if we didn't see everything in the Twin Cities Horror Fest, this show would have been at the top of our list. Musical theater plus horror? Yes, please. Plus, this ensemble-created show features a particularly amazing ensemble: Gracie Kay Anderson, Keith Hovis, Derek Lee Miller, Amanda Verstegen and Leslie Vincent.

Keith Hovis, playwright and composer, is a master of mixing the macabre and the funny with clever, melodic songs (see Teenage Misery and Jefferson Township Sparkling Junior Talent Pageant, coming to Park Square Theatre in June 2019). Leslie Vincent's gorgeous and unique voice is particularly suited to his work, lending a bit of sweetness to even the most sinister of songs. Add in Derek Lee Miller and director Allison Witham (who we've admired for ages thanks to their Transatlantic Love Affair work) and we were sold.

The show starts with campers telling spooky stories of serial killers around a campfire, then moves to interweaving vignettes of those killers and their victims. Darker in tone (and lighting) and less funny than we expected, Morbid History has created a world of fully fleshed-out (ha!) and interconnected tales that is pleasantly surprising for an original, ensemble-created, hour-long show. The performances are universally excellent and the songs are intriguing--I'd like to hear them again. Here's hoping this show goes on to a more developed production, but in the meantime, we'll just have to go see it again!

Saturday, October 20, 2018

Twin Cities Horror Fest VII: Why We STILL Love TCHF

Friends, we love the Twin Cities Horror Fest, which runs October 25 through November 4 at the Southern Theater. The TCHF, now in its seventh year, combines two of our very favorite things: horror and theater.


But MN Theater Love, you ask, what if I don't like 'horror'? Should I still support this theater festival with my valuable theatergoing time and money? YES. Yes, you should.

Andrea Subisatti covers this very subject in her Editor's Note in the current issue of Rue Morgue magazine:
"Even for those of us who celebrate Halloween all year long, we have to admit that there's something magical about seeing the extra candy aisles and pumpkin bins at the grocery store. It feels like the one time of the year where the rest of the world realizes what we horror fans have been saying all along -- that there's something liberating, cathartic and just plain fun in indulging your dark side and confronting the things that go bump in the night."
Live theater is an experience like no other. It creates immediacy, catharsis and emotional resonance. Horror does the same. Combine the two, and add in shows and performances by the Twin Cities' most talented theater artists, and you get magic. The producers of the TCHF also have a few things to say about why they do horror:
"Depicting horror also is an artistic challenge. Every production hinges on its script, acting, and technical elements, but the stakes are higher when producers are trying to elicit the raw, extreme, and personal reactions associated with fear. The producers of the TCHF thrive on that challenge."
There is literally something for everyone at the TCHF. As John Carpenter once said, "Horror is a reaction, not a genre." In the past, shows have ranged from suspenseful and chilling, shocking and gory, socially conscious and tension-breakingly funny. This year, you have shows featuring music, dance, comedy, short films, historical legends, serial killers, witchcraft and monsters of the deep. 

Here's a rundown of the shows at the Twin Cities Horror Festival VII. Short (very short) descriptions are from the TCHF website. Here's the full TCHF Schedule. (Check out our short reviews here.)

The Bathtub Girls by The ColdHarts & Kairos Collective

In Short: "Created and performed by Kairos Collective from Toronto, Ontario, "The Bathtub Girls" is a fiction inspired by the first known case of sibling matricide in Canada. Two sisters, egged on by their friends, drown their mother in the bathtub of their family home. The play examines how three immigrants’ determination to rapidly assimilate into a Canadian suburb led to the destruction of their family, and the rebuilding of the girls’ lives."

Why We're Excited: Though Kairos Collective is new to us, The ColdHarts and their unique (and humorous) musical takes on gothic tales are longtime favorites. Also, it's a very intriguing story. 

Book of Shadows II
Book of Shadows II by Erin Sheppard Presents

In Short: "Book of Shadows II revisits the underlying theme of witchcraft from the first Book of Shadows, exploring more facets of magic through dance and storytelling. Dances delve into dark magic and the horrors that await when tampering with the unknown. Taj Ruler casts more delightful spells written as a young tween witch, which are interspersed between dances. Sometimes magic is the only way to get what you truly want."

Why We're Excited: Erin Sheppard Presents is always on our don't-miss list. As we said about TCHF V's Book of Shadows: "The dances are beautiful, so gorgeously done, with simple costumes and wonderful lighting, and they tell simple but effective stories." And her music choices are amazing.

A Confederate Widow in Hell by Breaker/Fixer Productions

In Short: "After 150 years of waiting, a widow has returned to resolve her eternal fate. Armored in a full mourning gown, armed with musical instruments and mementos from her past life, she faces the legacy of the South. Be haunted by a disturbing story of ghostly possessions and prophetic visions in this irreverent dramedy."

Why We're Excited: Musical and ghostly, but also a dramedy? Intriguing. 
Rev. Matt's Monster Science

The Devil & The Deep Blue Sea - by Monster Science Productions

In Short: "Rev. Matt’s infotational talks return! Get the historical background, comedy jokes, and PowerPoint that you need about the monsters we create and the fears they embody. This year, the first two dates will feature a talk about Old Nick, the First Among the Fallen, the history of the Christian Satan himself. And the last three will be a piece about sirens, krakens, Great Cthulhu, and other horrors of the deep blue sea!"

Why We're Excited: Last year, Rev. Matt was completely new to us, but we were immediately charmed by his unique blend of deadpan humor and obsessive love of monsters. We wrote: "Accompanied by some judicious use of Powerpoint and stellar comic timing, this show not only makes you laugh but you actually learn something (in spite of yourself)." See both of his shows.

Dream County by LandmanLand

In Short: "Some people recall watching Cousin Clem's Magical Couch Fort every Saturday morning as kids. Others have never seen an episode, claiming the tragic series finale is nothing but urban myth. Somewhere between real and imaginary lies Dream County, a whimsical world where Cousin Clem would hide away in. We present the finale as it supposedly happened."

Why We're Excited: Cause it sounds WEIRD AF. Awesome!

Greenway by Tom Reed

In Short: "Late on a crisp fall night, a bike commuter’s worst nightmare comes true. Eva is riding alone on the Greenway bike path - a dark trench lit only by her bike light - and something unfriendly starts following her. And it's catching up. And she can’t pedal any faster. And her light just died."

Why We're Excited: Though he's been a long-time Minnesota Fringe Festival favorite (our friend Cherry and Spoon is a big fan), this is Tom Reed's first show in the TCHF. Although he's usually known for humor, Greenway sounds deliciously creepy and familiar to anyone who's raced the shadows home on their bike.

Home (Clearly.)
HOME by Dangerous Productions

In Short: "Based on true stories from the playwright’s childhood, HOME is a brutal tapestry of the perversion of the American dream, and what people will do when boredom becomes too much. Angela and her family are new citizens in a small Wisconsin city. They are outsiders, assaulted on all sides by the apathy-fueled violence of the status quo. Will they survive with their minds intact or succumb to the temptation of exciting depravity? From the producers of FRANKENSTEIN and SKIN, HOME asks- how well do you really know your neighbor?"

Why We're Excited: Dangerous Productions has done some very intriguing shows in past TCHFs (Skin, Senseless) and Home is likely to be one of the gorier, more visceral entries in the Festival.

Horror Show Hot Dog Short Film Festival by Horror Show Hot Dog

In Short: "These shorts cut terror to the bone, delivering bite-size versions of horror movie scares. This year we’ve curated films from 12 different countries, across all subgenres of horror, from black comedy to animation. Each night’s programming is completely unique – come and vote for the audience favorite award. Who will win the Golden Frankfurter? See below for each night's programming."

Why We're Excited: Thanks to Horror Show Hot Dog (and their podcast), we have become huge fans of the short horror film. If my math is correct, you could conceivably see 33 short horror films if you attend all five of their productions. FUN! 

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Rogues Gallery Arts

In Short: "Based on the classic American horror story by Washington Irving. In the old town of Sleepy Hollow, Katrina Van Tassel meets the new schoolmaster, Ichabod Crane. He desires her hand, but several obstacles stand against their pairing including local ruffian, Brom Bones, and the ghostly spectre of a Headless Horseman rumored to reside in the area."

Why We're Excited: Rogues Gallery Arts show in TCHF VI, Intuition and the Mantis, was one of last year's standouts and hands-down, the most chilling show in the Festival. We're excited to see what this talented group does with Washington Irving's classic tale. Plus, it's an excuse to share our favorite childhood cartoon song

A Morbid History of Sons & Daughters
A Morbid History of Sons & Daughters by The Vincent Hovis Experience

In Short: "There's a sickness in our blood. A desire for something sinister that is passed down from generation to generation. An impulse that turns into a want that turns into a need. You are cordially invited to The Ritual. Five people gather to tell interweaving tales of tendencies they have spent a lifetime trying to contain. But sometimes, we all need a little release. And nothing can make you feel more at home than seeing the light drain from a person's eyes."

Why We're Excited: An original musical from amazing local talents Leslie Vincent and composer Keith Hovis? Yes, please. 

St. Kilda by Jody Christopherson

In Short: "After the death of her Grandmother, an American woman travels to an abandoned island off the coast of Scotland and unearths a dark family secret. St. Kilda is a new horror play/theatrical mono-concert written and performed in near darkness by New York-based award winning theater artist Jody Christopherson."

Why We're Excited: Spooky Scottish songs? Yes, please.

But wait there's MORE! Two special events will also be available during the run of TCHF:

Second Skin
Second Skin by Playable Artworks

In Short: Erin Olson is a fourth generation medium, a person who talks to spirits. Unfortunately, her recent death has hindered her ability to work. Now she needs an assistant, a conduit to the living world. You're invited to interview for this position. Come along and try your hand at contacting the spirit realm, but know that whether or not the spirits can be put to rest is up to you. This audio-driven, site-specific adventure for a single audience member takes you around the West Bank neighborhood, and is powered by an interactive app. NOTE: You must book your ticket in advance for this experience. No tickets will be available at the door."

Funerals For Life by Amica & Hecate

In Short: "Two madcap morticians tend to your corpse in an oddly relaxing “living-embalming session,” and then prop up your body for a "death photo." This delightfully goth experience is like none you’ve ever heard of. Ever wonder what your time at the morgue will be like? Now you can unwind on a comfy table and find out... We'll take good care of you. ​Reservations available in the lobby. "

Can't get enough horror theater? Read about past Twin Cities Horror Festivals here:


And go see something SPOOKY!! WE DARE YOU.

Gratuitous Tim Curry in It photo