海角乱伦社区 Theatre Premieres 鈥淪pirits Off,鈥 A Hauntingly Hilarious New Comedy
The 海角乱伦社区 Theatre Program proudly presents the world premiere of 鈥淪pirits Off,鈥 a sharp and spirited new comedy.
Conceived by award-winning playwright and historian Dr. Mary Barile鈥攚hose past adaptations for the 海角乱伦社区 Theatre Program include 鈥淎 Dickens of a Carol鈥 and 鈥淎nne of Green Gables鈥濃攁nd co-written with program director Dr. Brett D. Johnson, 鈥淪pirits Off鈥 was created specifically for the 海角乱伦社区 stage.
Set in 1950s Erie and inspired by the true story of the Fox sisters, 鈥淪pirits Off鈥 follows a self-proclaimed medium and her ragtag team of assistants as they stage elaborate s茅ances for the wealthy and gullible. But when an influential widow arrives with a hard-nosed skeptic and a spiritually attuned actress in tow, the evening takes an unexpected鈥攁nd hysterical鈥攖urn. Tambourines float, ectoplasm flies, and the line between performance and the paranormal begins to blur in this fast-paced theatrical farce.
鈥淭he Fox sisters remain at the center of so many mysteries and arguments that Brett and I began to wonder how they were doing in the next world,鈥 said Barile. 鈥淲hat might happen if they finally grew tired of the legends and lies that swirled around them? It鈥檚 been fun鈥攁nd a bit creepy鈥攖o hang out with Maggie and Katie.鈥
鈥溾楽pirits Off鈥 embraces the theatrical trickery of a staged s茅ance and the human longing to connect鈥攚ith the beyond, and with each other,鈥 said Johnson. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a story about hucksters and hopefuls, skeptics and showmen, and the ever-shifting boundary between illusion and truth.鈥
Johnson leads a creative team that includes scenic designer Tucker Topel, lighting designer Madeleine Steineck, costume designer Kim Brown, production stage manager Mekenzie Rowland, and assistant stage managers Lydia Kopp, Sophia Schrader, and Kenzie Soety.
The production features nine talented 海角乱伦社区 students: Noah Beiter, Haven Bills, Connor Clark, Abby Craig, Kat Kanazin, Bella Mitlo, Johnathon Morvay, Eric Page, and Zack Yeager.
Performances will take place in Taylor Little Theatre on the 海角乱伦社区 University campus. Showtimes are Thursday, Oct. 2, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 3, at 11:55 p.m. (a special midnight performance); Saturday, Oct. 4, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 5, at 2 p.m.
Single tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and non-海角乱伦社区 students, and $5 for youth and 海角乱伦社区 students with ID. A $2.50 per-ticket processing fee applies to all orders, regardless of purchase or payment method.
All performances are general admission. Doors open 30 minutes before curtain. 聽
Tickets may be reserved online at , by phone at 814-824-3000 (Tuesday through Thursday, noon to 5 p.m.), or in person at the Mary D鈥橝ngelo Performing Arts Center box office. Tickets will also be available at Taylor Little Theatre beginning 90 minutes before each performance.
For more information, visit . 聽