Tomorrow is "Not Always What It Seems"

I know that it has been a couple days since I posted anything. In fact, the last few days have been insane, between going to the county fair, one of the best concerts I have ever seen (Bouncing Souls, Dropkick Murphys, and Rancid), and going through tech week and dress rehearsal for the play, Not Always What It Seems.

Fortunately, all that handwork with the play will soon be visible. Honestly, I can't believe that tomorrow, the actors will hit the stage at the State Theater in Uniontown for the first 10-Minute Play Festival with The Phoenix Arts Center. Once they begin, it won't be long until my first written stage play closes the show. 

This has been a major accomplishment in my writing career and it is a story that should resonate with much of the audience. Over the past few weeks, I have been able to watch the cast grow and the performances are riveting. The way the cast works together and feeds off each other is something that I could have never imagined when I first wrote the script. 

The festival is scheduled for 7 o'clock on Saturday, August 5th and 2 o'clock Sunday, August 6th. On a side note, I am still waiting on the cover design and layout of my first fiction novel, After the Static, but I am sure that will be finished soon. After that, my epic poem, Salvation, written as a NaPoWriMo project may be finished as well.

Until then, I will continue to push forth with the reviews, and who knows, possibly even write another play. 

PlayHouse (2003)

I am a sucker for low-budget or no-budget horror, especially when they are filmed in the local area (Pittsburgh). Having watched the low-budget snoozer yesterday, I was actually cringing a little at the thought of watching the next flick I have sitting here. Fortunately, I sucked it up and decided to watch PlayHouse (2003).

Plot/ After years hiding in the shadows, the ancient ghosts of an old Pittsburgh theater make their presence known once again. When theater employees and students start dropping like flies # and in gruesome fashion - a bumbling detective and two incompetent local cops start a hilariously spooky and disgusting search for the truth. Five students may have what it takes to find the answer... but will they survive the search? Will they be terrified? Will girls run around in their underwear?... Yes. Discover the secrets of the PlayHouse.

Wow, nothing like two no-budget Indie flicks in a row for me (at least this one is based near home in Pittsburgh)… However, while this flick comes across as a no-budget entry, there is definite some potential here inside Hunter F. Roberts one-man show. Yes, the sound ranges from good to poor, the storyline is all over the place, the sets are below average and there are some hiccups in the technical arena, but somehow, there is something entertaining and somewhat original inside.  Once this black comedy starts rolling, it feels like a tribute to some of the great semi-comedy horror classics to the past (complete with the characters, blood and guts).  One thing biggest surprises, besides the large amount of very good effects featuring blood, an allotment of bodies and limbs and puke, was the acting, which was actually decent in most cases (the costuming – Not so much).  While this flick is not for everyone, fans of no-budget horror should enjoy it (and get some laughs). If you do not like that type of faire, stay away.