What will theater enthusiasts take away after watching ‘Scream Theater,? the latest Halloween installment of the Clarkston Village Players?
‘Nostalgia and a little spooky-ooky Halloween feeling,? said Dan Gerics, director and Flint City Theater member.
Brought to the stage by way of the Flint City Theater, ‘Scream Theatre? will entertain and frighten for one night only on Oct. 16. The show’s premise is a 1940s style radio broadcast, complete with authentic sound effects and terror to scare all in attendance.
‘I have always loved ‘old time? radio and really appreciated the mood that could be conveyed simply through voice and sound effects,? Dean Vanderkolk, CVP member and show participant, said. ‘It was a wonderful tool for stretching the imagination, since it allowed the entire world to become your stage. The only limits were those of your own imagination.?
The idea stemmed from Gerics and his love for ghoulish stories.
‘I’ve always loved the macabre, scary movies and ghost stories, and I sometimes feel I’ve been cheated out of the golden age of radio by being born too late,? Gerics said. ‘I created the show last year to fulfill a couple of childish urges, to tell ghost stories and to be on the radio; or to pretend to be on the radio.?
Members of the CVP viewed the show last year in Flint and participated in it as well, establishing the connection for this year. The participating CVP members thought the scary show would be a beneficial addition to their season lineup.
‘Since (radio shows) can’t show you anything, your mind fills in all the details and it usually gravitates toward the most frightening thing it can conjure up,? Vanderkolk said.
Vanderkolk, who will be participating in this year’s production and was recently seen in ‘The Mysterious Mr. Love,? is looking forward to the show.
‘As an actor, it’s a great challenge to be able to convey character and mood solely with your own voice,? Vanderkolk said. ‘It becomes an even greater challenge when, over the course of the evening, you may be called upon to create multiple roles.?
A greater appreciation for the history of radio is something both Gerics and Vanderkolk hope the audience takes away.
‘If the audience comes away with anything, I would hope that it’s a renewed sense of appreciation for what a marvelous medium radio was and that they seek out some of the sources for old time radio that exist today,? Vanderkolk said. ‘I wouldn’t mind if the audience came away with a little bit of a shiver, either.?
‘Scream Theatre? tickets for the Oct. 16 show are available by calling the Depot Theater at (248) 625-8811. The show starts at 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.clarkstonvillageplayers.org.