By Troy Brooks
Get your scare on this weekend with a live radio play of The Wolf Man performed by The Ensemble Stage at the Blowing Rock School Auditorium on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. 
Based off of the 1941 film starring Lon Chaney Jr. as the wolf man, the Ensemble Stage has adapted the classic tale of the lycanthropic curse into a staged radio drama complete along with lighting effects, projections and live sound effects in homage to the golden days of radio. In spirit with the Halloween season, don’t be afraid to come dressed in your favorite costume to enjoy the show.
One of the unique concepts of this performanceis its reliance on sound and narration. Unlike traditional plays, which rely on visuals, this show uses narration and live sound effects to drive the story, such as the sounds closing doors, people running through the woods, gunshots and the rustling sound of the wind.
“I call it a throwback to the radio plays of the ‘40s with a twist,” said director Gary Smith. “We’re converting a story that was made for film into an experience live on stage that uses sound and narration to drive the story. There’s a lot of famous visuals in a movie such as when the wolf man transforms and he’s walking through woods. With radio plays you don’t have that visual advantage you do in film. Instead we’re relying on live dialogue and sounds created on stage to paint a picturefor the audience and give them a unique experience.”
The show will be a great way to celebrate Halloween and the old horror classics that help define it.
“The story takes place in a remote town, so it has that nice eerie feel to it,” said Smith.”The old classics have been a focus of our Halloween productions. The last couple of years we’ve done Dracula and Frankenstein, so it’s only fitting we do finish the trinity of famous movie monsters this year.”
The Ensemble Stage is a professional theatre group founded in 2009. The theatre gives local actors new to the art a chance to perform with professional actors on a variety of productions for the Watauga Community.
“It’s a neat way for them to explore a different kind of performing arts,” said Smith. “The rehearsal schedules are designed to give locals a chance to participate in theatre and work with experienced performers while juggling their daily jobs with ease.The rehearsals are less intensive and time consuming than those from shows you would find during the summer so it’s a great way for them to get involved with theatre.”
The play stars local newcomers and performers Dave Armbrust, Kenny Petroski, Calvin Noble, Tammy Corley and Sammy Leigh Campbell along with perennial Ensemble Stage radio play actors Chandler Walpole and Sarah Scheurer with professional actors Derek Gagnier and Paul Haas.
Tickets are $14 for adults and $9 for kids 16 and under. To purchase tickets, visit http://www.ensemblestage.com/Box-Officefallwinter.html or call 828-414-1844. Tickets may be purchased at the door using cash or check only.
For more information on Ensemble Stage, visit www.ensemblestage.com/index.html.
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