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!

It's the Spookiest Time of the Theater Year! Twin Cities Horror Festival Season XI

Updated 10/23/22

You've heard us sing the spooky praises of Twin Cities Horror Fest for years. Won't you join us this year for the most delightful, spooky, chilling, hilarious, gory theater you'll see all year? We've been expecting you...

Tis the Season for SPOOKY - October 2019

There are literally one million fun things happening this October for those who want to see something spoooooky.

We've got movies, theater, learny things, and even an occasional immersive experience. (I know! EEK!)

In Theaters and Museums ...

Night of the Living Dead! The Musical! - Minneapolis Musical Theatre (Phoenix Theater)

October 4 - 27 (times vary)

It's a musical! Based on a classic horror film! And the title alone has two exclamation points! MMT does a beautiful job with campy musicals, so this is a must-see.

Reverend Matt's Monster Top 20 - Strike Theater

October 13 at 7:00 p.m.

"After years of detailing monsters of every variety, Reverend Matt finally presents the definitive list of the 20 best ones!"

Café Scientifique: Deciphering Dinosaur Lives - Bryant-Lake Bowl

October 15 at 7:00 p.m.

"From exciting discoveries in the field in Madagascar, to new information gleaned from microscopic investigations of sauropod bones, Dr. Kristi Curry Rogers will fill us in on the new and improved sauropod."

The Latest Night: An Anthology of Terror - Strike Theater

October 17, 18 at 7:30 p.m.

"A Night of Terror hosted by your resident ghouls Simone Suspiria and Alistair Absentia." (improv)

The Mess in Murder Manor - Strike Theater
October 19, 25, 26 at 7:30 p.m.
"On a blustery and spooky October evening, six guests arrive at a stately manor for the reading of a will and an evening of chills...." (improv)

Reverend Matt's Late Night Monster Science: The Call of the Shadow of the Horror Out of Space - Phoenix Theater

October 19 at 10:30 p.m.

"A complete history of the monsters of H.P. Lovecraft – one of the most admired, imitated, and totally misunderstood creators in the entire horror genre."

Twin Cities Horror Festival VIII - Southern Theater

October 24 -November 3 (times vary)

TCHF is a "juried, horror- themed, live-performance arts festival spanning the two weekends surrounding Halloween." And we love it, so look for more coverage soon. But here's a look at last year's festival to whet the appetite.

Social Science: Spooky Science - Science Museum

October 24 at 6:00 p.m.

"Haunt your way through the Science Museum with special activities, stargazing, a chance to meet local scientists, and more. And don't miss a special drag show and costume contest, presented by Flip Phone."

The Ghostly Garden - Bell Museum

October 25 at 6:30 p.m.

"Please join us for a slightly creepy evening in the darkened galleries of the Bell Museum, with special surprises lurking around every corner." 

Reel History: Movie Monsters - Edina Historical Society

October 25 at 7:00 p.m.

"Join filmmaker and historian Alex Weston for a night of film clips exploring the cultural history behind some of the most famous monsters of filmland."

The 26th Barebones Puppets Annual Halloween Puppet Extravaganza - Hidden Falls Regional Park

October 25, 26, 31 and Nov 1 at 7:00 p.m.
"If you’ve never seen a show, perhaps THIS is the year you experience the joy, the awe, wonder and suspense while the shear visual majesty of this multimedia presentation comes to life in an unfolding of community storytelling." Well, okay then. Also, sheer.

Ladybrain Presents: Ghouls Gone Wild! - Strike Theater

October 25, 26, 31 at 9:30 p.m.

"Ladybrain takes on Halloween! We're coven atcha with a slew of new sketches, plus a few fan favorites. This Halloween sketch party extravaganza features special guest Jenna Cis!" (sketch)

Transmission Presents: Halloween 1986 - Hell's Kitchen

October 26 at 9:00 p.m.

"Inspired by Stranger Things, Transmission, Surly & Hell's Kitchen Present: HALLOWEEN 1986. Similar to the show, there will be a vibe like you're walking back into 1986 with 100% era appropriate music and videos."

The Yellow Wallpaper and Other Things That Scare Us - Umbrella Collective

October 28 at 7:30 p.m.

"Join Umbrella Collective for an intimate fall house concert as we uncover what scares us, and what we’d save ourselves from, if we could, featuring music from Leslie Vincent, Keith Hovis, Annie Enneking, Peter Morrow, The Dino Birds, and other special guests."

Horrific House of Macabre Movie Madness - Bryant-Lake Bowl

October 30 at 8:00 p.m.

"Come join us for a ghoulish cinematic celebration of Halloween!! The movie will remain a mystery until it rolls on the big screen! One night only!"

Frankenstein: Two Centuries - Ghoulish Delights at Bryant-Lake Bowl

October 31 at 7:00 p.m.

"The Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society celebrates two hundred years of Frankenstein with two original stories inspired by Mary Shelley’s iconic tale, each written and performed in the style of a classic radio series, including commercials, live music and sound effects."

And if you are VERY VERY BRAVE:

Haunted Basement - Rosedale Center

October 3 - November 2 (times vary)

"Since 2005 we have been terrifying the Twin Cities with absurdist psychological horror.  Before inching downstairs, you must sign a waiver and present valid ID. Prepare yourself for immersive theater, created by a community of avant-garde artists and horrible creeps who will…

terrify you." Even the website scares us, so ...

Spooky Movies In Movie Theaters:

(Key: A - Alamo Drafthouse Woodbury, T - Trylon Cinema, P - Parkway Theater, H - Heights Theater)

Sunday, October 13

11:15 Teen Witch (A)
3:00 Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (T)
5:00 Basket Case (T)
7:00 Brain Damage (T)
7:30 Dr. Jekyll & Sister Hyde (A)

Monday, October 14

7:00 The Mummy – 1999 (A)
7:00 Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (T)
8:45 Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (T)

Tuesday, October 15

6:30 Shocker (A)
7:00 Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (T)
8:30 Soul of the Demon (A)
8:45 Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (T)

Wednesday, October 16

6:00 Zombieland double feature (A)
6:30 A Nightmare on Elm Street (A)
7:00 Blood Surf (T)
7:30 Don’t Look Now (A)

Thursday, October 17

7:00 The Thing (T)
7:30 Dead of Night (H)
8:00 Poltergeist (P)

8:30 Harpoon (A)

Friday, October 18

7:00 Carrie (T)
9:00 Christine (T)

Saturday, October 19

1:00 Nightmare Before Christmas (P)
7:00 Christine (T)
7:30 Horror of Frankenstein (A)
9:15 Carrie (T)

Sunday, October 20
11:00 Teen Wolf (A)
3:00 7th Voyage of Sinbad (T)
5:00 Carrie (T)
7:00 Christine (T)
7:45 The Host (A)

Monday, October 21
7:00 7th Voyage of Sinbad (T)
7:00 Ghostbusters (A)
7:30 The Amityville Horror (A)
9:00 7th Voyage of Sinbad (T)

Tuesday, October 22
7:00 Night of the Demons (A)
7:00 7th Voyage of Sinbad (T)
8:30 The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (A)
9:00 7th Voyage of Sinbad (T)

Wednesday, October 23
7:00 The Rocky Horror Picture Show (A)

Thursday, October 24
6:30 Monos (A)
7:00 The Hitcher (T)
7:30 The Others (H)
8:00 Hellraiser (P)

Friday, October 25
7:00 The Hills Have Eyes (T)
9:00 Ravenous (T)

Saturday, October 26
1:00 Dismember the Alamo marathon (A)
1:00 Ghostbusters (P)
7:00 Ravenous (T)
9:15 The Hills Have Eyes (A)

Sunday, October 27
11:00 The Witches (A)
3:00 Piranha (T)
5:00 The Hills Have Eyes (T)
6:30 Scars of Dracula (A)
7:00 Ravenous (T)
7:30 Phantom of the Opera (H) 

Monday, October 28
7:00 Craft (A)
7:00 Piranha (T)
9:00 Piranha (T)

Tuesday, October 29
6:30 Dracula – 1931, SP (A)
7:00 Piranha (T)
8:30 Halloween III: Season of the Witch (A)
9:00 Piranha (T)

Wednesday, October 30
7:00 Tremors (A)
7:00 Hausu (T)
8:00 The Exorcist (P)
8:30 The House of the Devil (A)
9:00 Hausu (T)

Thursday, October 31
7:00 Halloween (A)
7:00 Hausu (T)
8:00 Halloween (P)
9:00 Hausu (T)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN SEASON, FRIENDS!

May Round-Up: We Saw a Bunch of Plays

Sherwin Resurreccion and Regina Marie Williams in
The Brothers Paranormal (Photo by Jeff Wheeler)

So, we saw a bunch of plays but got really busy and completely forgot to tell you about them. Sorry!

We were forced to tell people individually
about the plays we loved, which is inefficient at best and ever so tedious.

So here's a retroactive recap:

The Brothers Paranormal - Penumbra Theatre Company and Theater Mu coproduction
Written by Prince Gomolvilas and directed by Lou Bellamy, this gorgeous play is a both a spooky ghost story and a haunting meditation on grief. Brothers Max (Sherwin Resurreccion) and Visarut (Kurt Kwan) are ghost hunters engaged by Delia (Regina Marie Williams) and Felix (James Craven) to explore mysterious happenings at their house.

The Brothers Paranormal is a marvelously crafted play with rich, full characters. The performances are outstanding by the entire cast, including Leslie Ishii as the boys' mother and Michelle de Joya as Jai. In particular, the chemistry and affectionate teasing between Williams and Craven is #relationshipgoals. And a big shout out to the wonderful Sherwin Resurreccion who is one of the most fascinating actors to watch--any time we get to see him act is an utter delight.

Ordway Cabaret: Rise Up - Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
Before he left his position at the Ordway as producing Artistic Director, James Rocco created a series of musical theater revue shows called the Broadway Songbook. Sharing his own love for musical theater, a talented cast performed a variety of musical theater numbers organized around a particular theme. In his absence, the Ordway has continued these revues, now in their Ordway Concert Hall, and their recent Ordway Cabaret: Rise Up is a treat. Directed by Kelli Foster Warder, this thoughtful performance provided "an evening of songs from ground-making Broadway musicals that shine a light on revolutionary moments in time" (from the director's note). And if you think that doesn't include Hamilton? You'd be wrong.

In this iteration of the Ordway Cabaret, the cast shared their own personal stories and sang songs that represented their heartfelt stories. The cast was comprised of Aimee K. Bryant, David Carey, Deidre Cochran, Brianna Graham, John Jamison, Hope Nordquist and Max Wojtanowicz and everyone was outstanding. I would be eternally happy to just listen to Aimee K. Bryant and John Jamison sing--alone or together. Don't miss the Ordway Cabarets--it's a rare treat.

La Traviata - Minnesota Opera
Although the popularity of the great classics allows Minnesota Opera to put on exciting and engaging new work, sometimes I sigh when they come up in the rotation. But sometimes, a production reminds me why these became the great classics. A lovely spare production, this La Traviata featured an amazing cast. Nicole Cabell as Violetta and Jesus Leon as Alfredo sang beautifully, acted the hell out of their parts, and had real chemistry. Add in Joo Won Kang as Alfredo's father Giorgio--whose voice was STAGGERINGLY rich and vibrant--and we had a powerhouse trio leading this opera. Also, and not incidentally, it was a treat to see such racial diversity represented on stage. YAY, MN Opera and keep it up!

Five-Fifths of Mary Poppins - Minnesota Fringe Festival at Park Square Theatre
Minnesota Fringe Festival's annual fundraising benefit performance is a yearly treat. This is only the second we've seen, but we're on board for all future performances. Read more about this and past performances at our friend Cherry and Spoon's blog. Long story short, The Fringe takes a movie, cuts it into five parts and asks five artists to interpret it using their own unique approach and style. This year's offering, Mary Poppins, was interpreted by Shrieking Harpies (music improv), Sheep Theater (theater), Oncoming Productions (theater), Javier Morillo (storytelling), and ALL DAY (dance). So fun, and such a great kickoff to the annual Fringe Fest.

The Beldenville Troll at Open Eye Figure Theatre

Add a little spooky, gothic, monstery magic to your spring with The Beldenville Troll A New England Gothic at Open Eye Figure Theatre.

When: March 22 - April 14, 2019
At: Open Eye Figure Theatre
Running Time: 75 minutes, no intermish

About:
Welcome to Beldenville, Maine, where townsfolk scoff at the legend of a troll who lives in the old train tunnel—until one dark night a child vanishes and is never seen again. This new Open Eye premiere is an imaginative, visually rich theatre piece that uses live actors, puppetry, and a wild array of animated objects to conjure the uncanny events occurring in a small town, and how the inhabitants cope with a troublesome stranger in their midst. Mythic, mysterious, and full of frights and laughs, THE BELDENVILLE TROLL is a modern fable about childhood’s end, and adulthood’s beginning.

What We Thought:
There are certain shows that are so stunningly creative and wondrous that it's nearly impossible to describe them properly. So I'll let director, creator and genius Joel Sass tell you more:

A Weekend in Witch City: Salem Horror Fest 2018

This year, one horror festival was not nearly enough for us, so we headed to Salem for the 2nd annual Salem Horror Fest. It was crazy fun.