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What: Adult Halloween-themed original skits
Where: Shelterbelt Theatre, 3225 California St.
When: Tonight through Oct. 31. Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 6 p.m. Added performance Oct. 28 at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $8, opening weekend; $10, Oct. 15, 22 and 28; $20, Oct. 31 only. Other performances $15 for adults and $12 for students and senior citizens.
Information: 341-2757
New blood excites the team that puts together Shelterskelter, the Shelterbelt Theatre's annual evening of Halloween-themed skits.
That doesn't mean the show won't build on what has worked in the past, said Craig Bond, the Shelterbelt's executive director. But new writers, actors and directors keep things fresh and exciting, he said.
“We try to protect the integrity of the show so people aren't surprised by the content,” Bond said. “Some of the plays are a little outside what we've done before, but in structure, not theme.”
He said this year's show offers a mix of slasher stories, dark humor and spoofs familiar to Shelterskelter fans.
Dave Podendorf, chairman of the play reading committee, said the quality of scripts submitted has gotten stronger. The shows must be original works, not previously produced, and homegrown scripts are always preferred. But in the end, quality determines which “Twilight Zone”-y kinds of stories are chosen, Podendorf said.
He said a lengthy monologue, a sexy story about a single lady who requests an exorcism, and plenty of creepy and scary material made the cut this year. Zombie love, motherly love, mental illness, vengeance and sins of the past are all in the mix, which Podendorf said includes more comedy this year.
This year's lineup of 10 skits will include eight new playwrights, including Matthew Vodicka of La Vista. Tom Deiker of Clive, Iowa, is a repeat Shelterbelt playwright. Others hail from a wide area: Chicago, New Orleans, Philadelphia, New York and Fayetteville, Ga.
New directors for the Shelterbelt's 14th year of macabre entertainment include Demian Ryder and Jonathan Wilhoft. They join returning veterans Adam Nathan, Derrick Crawford and Gary Planck.
New cast members Deb Gerke, Brandy Leggett, Allison Moore and Michael Juarez almost match in number the Shelterbelt alumni back for more: Trude Grosenbach, Liz Mulhern, Maddie Radcliff, Eric Grant-Leanna, Jay Huse and Andy Niess.
Contact the writer:
444-1269, bob.fischbach@owh.com
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