Posts Tagged Theatre of the Macabre

Thrills and Chills for Every Taste!

Get the cocoa and candy ready and settle in for three nights of Halloween perfection with THEATRE OF THE MACABRE, a three-chapter online variety series presented by Park Square Theatre (Oct 29, 30 and 31, 2020). The multi-chapter event to benefit the theatre is hosted and co-directed by Twin Cities actor/director Craig Johnson, with original concept and co-direction by Kim Vasquez, the new Producing Director of the Park Square Mainstage.  Immerse yourself in three nights of horrifying tales of terror – including true ghost stories, scenes and monologues from Edgar Allan Poe to William Shakespeare.

A man holds a knife in front of a red background with two white burning candles

Craig Johnson will host the three nights of Theatre of the Macabre.

While audiences can look forward to some recurring elements, for example, each night will have a local ghost story and music, the three evenings be unique as well, with Thursday highlighting tales written and performed by women, Friday emphasizing classic literary scenes, and Saturday being an all-around Halloween Round-up! Without giving it all away, look for readings of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the witches from Shakespeare’s Macbeth, music from Kander & Ebb’s Kiss of the Spider Woman and we’ll all dance to Bobby Pickett’s Monster Mash.

An impressive group of artists have contributed their talents to the event, they include: Ryan Colbert*, Ann Daly, Sarah Michelle de Joya, Emily Gunyou Halaas*, Peter Christian Hansen*, Craig Johnson, Willie Jones, Anna Leverett, Damian Leverett, Pete Mousseaux, Hope Nordquist, Mo Perry*, Tinne Rosenmeier, Laura Salveson, Ava Saunders, Ben Shaw, Mackenzie Shaw, Dane Stauffer*, Kim Vasquez, Michelle Westlund, Meghan Williams Elkins, and Zachary Zito. “It’s a delight getting to know the work of so many talented Twin Cities artists,” says Producing Director Kim Vasquez. “Each Chapter brings an array of spine-chilling stories and classic, horror, storytelling for every taste!” 

The uniquely sculptured series will be released over three nights on zoom and be available to stream on Park Square’s website from their release dates through Halloween weekend.

*member, Actors’ Equity Association

DIRECTOR BIOGRAPHIES
Craig Johnson (host and co-director) has done 52 shows at Park Square Theatre since 1979. As a locally based actor-director-writer, his work has been seen at many theaters, including Ten Thousand Things, History Theatre, The Jungle, Gremlin, Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company, Girl Friday Productions, Torch Theater, Theatre Latte Da, Yellow Tree Theatre, Artistry, and many more. He is the recipient of Ivey Awards for acting and directing and was named Theatre Artist of the Year by City Pages (2013) and Lavender Magazine (2011 and 2015). No stranger to spooky stories, for over twenty years Craig performed Victorian Ghost Stories at the James J. Hill House on Summit Avenue.

Kim Vasquez (original concept and co-director) is head of Gray Lady Entertainment, Inc., a theatrical producing and consulting company, specializing in the development and structuring of new works in plays and musicals in New York City and beyond. For over 25 years, GLE has been working in a commercial theatrical environment from Executive Producer to General Manager on various Off-Broadway and Broadway theatrical productions. Vasquez is currently an Artistic Associate and Lead Producing Director for Park Square Theatre’s Mainstage.

TICKET & REGISTRATION PRICES
Theatre of the Macabre: Individual Evenings $15, 3-Night Package $30
On sale at parksquaretheatre.org

The ticket offices are temporarily closed due to corona virus. Please email tickets@parksquaretheatre.org with questions.

CALENDAR INFORMATION
Theatre of the Macabre: Oct 29, 30, 31 at 7:30 pm

PHOTOS
Available at: https://www.parksquaretheatre.org/media/photos/
Under Theatre of the Macabre

PARK SQUARE THEATRE. 20 W. Seventh Place, Saint Paul. parksquaretheatre.org

 

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Park Square and SteppingStone spread autumn joy for all ages!

Media Contact:
Connie Shaver  shaver@parksquaretheatre.org

Saint Paul, Minn., Sept 30, 2020 – Newly partnered Park Square Theatre and SteppingStone Theatre are springing into action with virtual programs to keep audiences connected with friends and family through the autumn, embodying their concept of being “your theatre home for life” even during the pandemic. Online programs, theatre classes, a ghoulish variety show, outdoor Halloween family day, and a one-man epic play offer diverse ways to enjoy theatre – while safely at home or socially distanced – in the coming months.

While school is out for MEA Break, SteppingStone is bringing families two full days of active moving and making with VIRTUAL MEA FUN DAYS. Young people from Pre-K through 6th-grade are invited to join in live from their living room on October 15 and 16. Pre-K & K will explore “A Monster’s Dilemma,” 1st – 3rd-grade will create “Spooky Stories and Spaces,” and 4th – 6th-graders will uncover the “Legend of the Haunted.” Activities for each age will include active theatre games, creating physical props and projects, and inventing their own original play with their virtual cohort.

Monster-madness continues as The Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society gets their monthly residency into the Halloween spirit with OLD-TIME RADIO: FRANKENSTEIN (October 19).  Two original stories each written and performed in the style of a classic radio series, including commercials, music and sound effects, will honor Mary Shelley’s iconic tale.  “Long Live Frankenstein,” by Tim Uren, follows the path of Captain Walton’s ship through deadly arctic conditions to capture the legendary creature, while in Joshua English Scrimshaw’s “Inglorious Monsters,” a scientist reanimates the dead to create the perfect soldier!

Keep Halloween spirits high and your family safe with FAMILY DAY OUT: HALLOWEEN EDITION, hosted by Steppingstone Theatre in collaboration with Park Square (October 25). From noon to 4:00 PM, come to the West 7th Place Plaza (outside of Park Square Theatre in Downtown St. Paul) for socially distanced trick-or-treating, a pumpkin contest, costume parade and outdoor artmaking. The cherry on top? Two performances of Mixed Precipitation’s PICKUP TRUCK OPERA in the center of the plaza. Admission will be limited for the safety of all with pre-registration available to reserve your spot.

Park Square Mainstage then presents THEATRE OF THE MACABRE, a three-chapter online variety series (Oct 29, 30 and 31, 2020) hosted by Twin Cities actor/director Craig Johnson, all to benefit Park Square. The three unique pre-recorded evening performances are filled with horrifying tales of terror, true ghost stories, and monologues and scenes from Edgar Allan Poe to William Shakespeare! Performers include local favorites Ann Daly, Hope Nordquist, Mo Perry, Tinne Rosenmeier, Laura Salveson, Eric Sharp, Dane Stauffer and The Orchard Theatre Collective: Anna Leverett, Damian Leverett, Ben Shaw and Mackenzie Shaw, with special appearances by Robert Francis Cole and Zachary Zito. “It’s a delight getting to know the work of so many talented Twin Cities artists,” says Producing Director Kim Vasquez. “Every evening a new spine-chilling chapter will haunt you with terror and thrills for every taste.” Theatre of the Macabre is produced and directed by Kim Vasquez and co-directed by Craig Johnson.

Get ready for 4 weeks of active imagination and bodies during SteppingStone’s FALL VIRTUAL STUDIOS, beginning Nov 3. These youth-driven cohorts will be captivated as they join a band of superheroes and devise their own adventure-play, explore social and climate justice through theatre, or create an original improv comedy show. Classes are available for 18-month-olds through high school students.

Early in TEARS OF MOONS (Nov 19 – 22, 2020) the vast scope of the one-man play becomes apparent. My job is called different things,” says The Poet. In West Africa, it’s called a Griot. In Greece; Homer. On Franklin and Chicago; Crazy.” Antonio Duke’s poetic tour-de-force travels through time – on the 5 bus – examining the impact and historic pervasiveness of the threat faced by Black people today. Deeply personal and encompassing an epic sweep of historical storytelling, Duke reckons with the violence and shares a vision of strength that interweaves Haitian, Nigerian, and Ghanian spiritual figures and mythology. The play will be directed by Ellen Fenster. “Well trained and highly charismatic, Duke uses his craft to give this piece light and pathos.” Star Tribune, 2018.

TICKET & REGISTRATION PRICES
Virtual MEA Fun Days: Pay-As-You’re-Able, valued at $175
Family Day Out: Halloween Edition: Pay-As-You’re-Able, valued at $25/family
Theatre of the Macabre: Individual Evenings $15, 3-Night Package $30
Fall Virtual Studios: Pay-As-You’re-Able, valued at $180
Tears of Moons: All Tickets $25

Park Square tickets are on sale at www.parksquaretheatre.org and SteppingStone registration can be found at www.steppingstonetheatre.org.
The ticket offices are temporarily closed due to corona virus. Please email tickets@parksquaretheatre.org  or education@steppingstonetheatre.org with questions.

CALENDAR INFORMATION
Virtual MEA Fun Days: Oct 15 & 16, 8:30 am —2:30 pm
Family Day Out: Halloween Edition: Oct 25 12—4 pm
Theatre of the Macabre: Oct 29, 30, 31 at 7:30 pm
Tears of Moons: Nov 19, 20, 21 at 7:30 pm, Nov 22 at 2:00 pm

PHOTOS
Available at: https://www.parksquaretheatre.org/media/photos/
Theatre of the Macabre: Craig Johnson. Photo by Craig Johnson
Tears of Moons: Antonio Duke. Photo by Brad Hildebrandt
Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr, performed on the 7th Street Plaza. Photo courtesy of SteppingStone Theatre

PARK SQUARE THEATRE. 20 W. Seventh Place, Saint Paul. www.parksquaretheatre.org

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Announcing Theatre of the Macabre

With on stage performances on hiatus, Park Square Theatre’s new team of Artistic Associates is springing in to action with virtual programs to keep audiences connected with friends and family and with the greater community through the autumn.

Theatre of the Macabre 

October 29, 30, 31, 2020 at 7: 30 p.m

Park Square presents THEATRE OF THE MACABRE, a three night online variety series of ghoulish horror and fun-filled terror (Oct 29-31, 2020), with live and recorded performances hosted by Twin Cities actor/director Craig Johnson. Three unique nights will feature local true ghost stories by Twin City storytellers, actors and singers, and an array of monologue readings, scenes and songs that range from Edgar Allan Poe to William Shakespeare to Stephen Sondheim, along with other folkloric tales and poems.

Local performers include Tinne Rosenmeier and Dane Stauffer, with special appearances by Robert Francis Cole and Zachary Zito. The program will be co-directed by Kim Vasquez and Craig Johnson.

Learn More/Buy Tickets

ANNOUNCING FALL ONLINE PLAYS

FALL PLAYS AT PARK SQUARE OFFER COUNTERPOINT OF ONLINE FUN AND CONTEMPLATION

Media Contact – Connie Shaver
shaver@parksquaretheatre.org

Saint Paul, Minn., Sept 8, 2020 – With on stage performances on hiatus, Park Square Theatre’s new team of Artistic Associates is springing in to action with virtual programs to keep audiences connected with friends and family and with the greater community through the autumn. Two online programs, a Halloween variety show and a poetic reflection on racial violence, offer different ways to enjoy theatre – while safely at home – in the coming months.

Theatre of the Macabre 

For families looking for new experiences to fill the vacuum of Halloween parties and haunted houses, Park Square presents THEATRE OF THE MACABRE, a three night online variety series of ghoulish horror and fun-filled terror (Oct 29-31, 2020), with live and recorded performances hosted by Twin Cities actor/director Craig Johnson. Three unique nights will feature local true ghost stories by Twin City storytellers, actors and singers, and an array of monologue readings, scenes and songs that range from Edgar Allan Poe to William Shakespeare to Stephen Sondheim, along with other folkloric tales and poems.

Local performers include Tinne Rosenmeier and Dane Stauffer, with special appearances by Robert Francis Cole and Zachary Zito. The program will be co-directed by Kim Vasquez and Craig Johnson.

Buy Tickets to Theatre of the Macabre

Tears of Moons

A young man in a black hoodie. Next to him is an African mask.

Early in TEARS OF MOONS (Nov 19 – 22, 2020) the vast scope of the one-man play becomes apparent. My job is called different things,” says The Poet. In West Africa, its called a Griot. In Greece; Homer. On Franklin and Chicago; Crazy.” 

Antonio Dukes poetic tour-de-force travels through time-on the 5 bus – chronicling Americas ongoing epidemic of violence against Black people. Deeply personal and profoundly epic, Duke interweaves Haitian, Nigerian, and Ghanian spiritual figures and mythology to reckon with rage in the face of ceaseless bloodshed. Written and performed by Antonio Duke and directed by Ellen Fenster, the play was part of the 2018 Guthrie Emerging Artist Celebration and is being updated to conjure the present moment.

“Well trained and highly charismatic, Duke uses his craft to give this piece light and pathos.” Star Tribune, 2018.

Buy Tickets to Tears of Moons

Tickets

The box office is currently closed. Please email tickets@parksquaretheatre.org with any questions.

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