Audiences to experience chills and shudders galore
with SCT's upcoming production of Terror by Gaslight
By EMILY JONES
Starkville Daily News
“Terror by Gaslight” is designed to scare the wits out of audiences next week when the play opens at the Playhouse on Main. Lyle Tate, who last directed Bus Stop for SCT is assisted by Ellen Triggs in the third play produced for the current season.
“We hope to give the audiences a few good frights,” remarked Tate, who said the production features a stellar line up of players with Andrew Watkins in the leading role as Dr. Cyrus Norton.
The action takes place in nineteenth-century Philadelphia where the eccentric surgeon is creating an “anatomical museum.” One problem - he needs cadavers, and by law they can only be obtained from the public gallows. Dr. Norton is forced to deal with the unsavory Gin Hester played by Terry McDowell, and her partner, Leonard Scrubbs, played by Kary Rogers. The sinister pair are grave robbers and body snatchers who have little concern about where the corpses might come from.
Heather Shaw plays the part of Dr. Norton's devoted daughter, Marilyn, who captures the heart of a young medical student - William Dover played by Casey Rowe. Cherri Golden plays Constance, the good doctor's vapid sister.
The cast is rounded out by two of Norton's colleagues - Dr. Charles Withers played by Brian Hawkins and Dr. Edward Daniels played by Thomas La Foe. Carol McSweeney plays Opal, a servant in the Norton household. Marianne Ulmer plays Kitty, a barmaid following Daniels, and Bonnie Oppenheimer plays the mentally unbalanced Mrs. Culp.
Chills mount as one eerie scene follows another and the persistent police detective assigned to the case (Ty Phillips) moves nearer to the truth about blackmail and vicious murders which occur as a result of the doctor's obsession.
The two-act play opens Thursday at 7:30 p.m. followed by the opening night party hosted by SCT and the Starkville Area Arts Council. The remaining run will include Friday and Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. and a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday. The play resumes on February 28 and continues through March 4.
“Paul Ruff did a fantastic job in set construction, and Pattye Archer organized amazing period costumes. Both contribute heavily to the 1800s Philadelphia atmosphere,” said Tate.
Reservations for all performances are advised. Call 323- 6855 and leave a message.
Back to the Terror by Gaslight webpage
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