by Timothy Rutt
The FIfth Anniversary Production (Year 1 was at the Greystone Mansion) will run from October 4-November 2, 2013 and feature world premiere adaptations of H.P Lovecraft’s "The Lurking Fear" and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s "The New Catacomb" as well as a revival of Washington Irving’s "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."
“For our 5th anniversary production, we are committed to producing THE BEST WICKED LIT EVER. That means a more immersive experience with more scares, more intriguing stories, and mind-blowing special effects and surprises,” said Co-Artistic Directotor Jeff G. Rack, who will direct Sleepy Hollow, co-adapt Lurking Fear, and also oversee the production design and special effects for the event.
Said Co-Artistic Director Paul Millet, who will direct The Lurking Fear as well as the Wicked Lit Experience, “We don’t want to give away too much, but this year – the experience will truly begin the moment that the audience emerges from their cars.”
This will be the second time that Unbound has produced Co-Artistic Director Jonathan Josephson’s adaptation of Sleepy Hollow: the first time was as a part of the first Wicked Lit at Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills in 2009. “Only 350 people saw that production, and since we now have a full cemetery to play with for the epic horse chase at the end, we thought it was time to reimagine this play in a darker, even more ‘Wicked Lit’ fashion,” said Josephson, who also adapted The New Catacomb and co-adapted The Lurking Fear.
The past year has been a busy one for Wicked Lit as well as the co-artistic directors of Unbound Productions, which stages the show:
• Last year’s show drew nearly 2,000 people to Mountain View Mausoleum making it the most popular show in Unbound’s history
• 8 of Josephson’s short plays have received productions around the world including 27 Ways I Didn’t Say “Hi” to Laurence Fishburne at the 2013 Humana Festival of New American Plays at the Tony-winning Actors Theatre of Louisville
• Millet directed Albie Selznick’s Smoke and Mirrors which opened last September at the Promenade Playhouse in Santa Monica and, after receiving a “Critic’s Pick” from the Los Angeles Times, transferred to The Road Theatre in North Hollywood in January where it continues to play to a sold-out, extended run.
• Jeff Rack recently taught a class in production design at the renowned International Academy of Film and Television
According to a release from Unbound Productions:
WICKED LIT audiences will experience three short plays as they are led through the grounds of the mausoleum and cemetery by Storyguides. WICKED LIT is a walking show – patrons must be able to comfortably walk a minimum of 2,000 paces and climb stairs in order to experience this production. WICKED LIT is recommended for audiences ages 13+.
The mission of Unbound Productions, the theatre company that produces WICKED LIT as well as the newly launched History Lit, is to create new theatrical adaptations of classic literature and produce them in non-traditional venues.
Visit wickedlit.org for complete pricing and scheduling details. WICKED LIT is also on Facebook.
THE PLAYS
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The New Catacomb
Adapted by Jonathan Josephson/Directed by Douglas Clayton
Burger, the American, and Kennedy, the Brit, are great friends, and have been since their days at university. But when Burger makes a life-altering discovery in the depths of a long-since forgotten Roman crypt – their friendship may be put to the ultimate test.
Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Adapted by Jonathan Josephson/Directed by Jeff G. Rack
A lyrical reimaging of the beloved tale of the good-hearted schoolmaster Ichabod Crane and his deadly encounter with the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow.
H.P. Lovecraft’s The Lurking Fear
Adapted by Jeff G. Rack and Jonathan Josephson/Directed by Paul Millet
There’s something out there, and it’s taking our women. We need to find it, kill it – or die trying.
PERFORMANCES AND TICKETS:
October 4 November 2, 2013, Limited engagement!
Friday-Sunday, Oct 4-6; Thursday-Sunday, Oct 10-13; Thursday-Sunday, Oct 17-20; Thursday-Sunday, Oct 24-27; Wednesday-Saturday, Oct 30-Nov 2
All performances will begin promptly at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets range from $30-60, see website for details.
For more information go to wickedlit.org or call (323) 332-2065.
Mountain View Mausoleum & Cemetery
2300 N. Marengo Ave. Altadena CA 91001
AMPLE FREE PARKING ON THE GROUNDS
Please consult a map before driving to Mausoleum
ABOUT UNBOUND PRODUCTIONS
Founded by Jonathan Josephson, Paul Millet, and Jeff G. Rack, the mission of Unbound Productions is to create new adaptations of classic literature as a way of reimagining great stories for new audiences. With its flagship theatre festival Wicked Lit, and its newest project History Lit, Unbound takes pride in engaging in ambitious storytelling and creating surprising and impactful theatrical experiences.
ABOUT WICKED LIT
The scope of Wicked Lit is to create dynamic new adaptations of classic horror literature. Wicked Lit launched its inaugural production in 2009 at the haunted Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills.The second and third annual Wicked Lit productions took place at Mountain View Mausoleum and Cemetery in Altadena. A special production of Wicked Lit (Mark Twain’s A Ghost Story) was produced at the Los Angeles Millennium Biltmore Hotel in conjunction with the 2011 Theatre Communications Group National Conference. In addition to full productions, Unbound has mounted over 75 staged readings of Wicked Lit plays since 2008. Readings have taken place at theatres, libraries, schools, festivals, and special events all over Southern California including the Pasadena ArtWalk, West Hollywood Book Fair, Long Beach ComicCon, and many others.
