By Zach Dunkin
With Stephen King’s monster hit “IT” breaking box office records and a half-dozen more spooktacular thrillers set for the big screen this month, it’s only fitting that a local stage get in on the action. After all, says Carmel Community Players director Jen Otterman, ‘tis the season for All Hallow’s Eve.
“I proposed this play last year thinking that a good mystery/thriller/supernatural storyline would be most appropriate for the autumn Halloween season,” said Otterman, explaining why CCP is opening with the mystery thriller “Hide and Seek” Oct. 13 at the Carmel Community Playhouse.
“The board of directors must have agreed because they selected my submission,” Otterman said.
Hey, it’s autumn, and the Halloween season approaches. It is that time when so many people like a good dose of scary. This production will give them just that, a nice mix of the supernatural along with a pinch of mystery/thriller.”
Written by Lezley Havard, “Hide and Seek” focuses on Richard and Jennifer Crawford, who have moved from the city to an old farmhouse, which they are trying to restore. At first, it is mostly the slow pace of restoration that nags them, but a general sense of unease begins to build as the old house seems to be resisting their intrusion. It is the silent little girl whom Jennifer claims she has seen swinging in the backyard who brings on the chilling climax of the play.
Libbi and B.J. Bovin, who play the married couple in the play, were recently married in real life.
What Otterman likes best directing this particular production is making the characters and action as believable as possible.
“Plus, it is both challenging and entertaining to find creative ways to make the creepy sections of the show even more ghoulish,” said Otterman, a former teacher for 29 years at Hamilton Southeastern High School. “Shaping a show, any show, is an act of creative sculpting, trying to get each moment exactly as it should be … the right sound, look, overall picture.”
For tickets and information, visit carmelplayers.org.
