25 Oct OCTA Debuts THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE – Show Photos and Info
Catch Halloween Play October 25-November 10
Olathe, KS (October 25, 2019) – Olathe Civic Theatre Association (OCTA) brings Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House to the public October 25 – November 10 Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. *Plus there will be a special Halloween performance on Thursday, October 31stat 8pm with a “Hallowine and Cheese” party after the show.
Derrick Freeman makes his directorial debut with Haunting but has been seen on the OCTA stage, most recently in Sense and Sensibility. He learned about the play through the Netflix series of the same name and thought it could be replicated onstage at OCTA. “I’ve been a fan of the horror genre since I was young, everything from ghost stories around the campfire to the Hollywood horror movies and a few personal experiences with ghost hunting. So I felt this was right up my alley and would be a wonderful challenge for me.” The Netflix series was actually based on the play. The main difference is that the Netflix series tells the story of a family who had once lived in Hill House while the play version is about a group of strangers who come to conduct a paranormal investigation.
The cast of THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE
Venus Leung (Eleanor Vance)
Charlotte Gilman (Theodora), Sally Schmucker (Mrs. Montague), John Grow (Arthur Parker)
Jefferson Harwood (Luke Sanderson) and David Nickol (Dr. Montague)
David Nickol (Dr. Montague) 
Victoria Hoffman (Mrs. Dudley)
Jefferson Harwood (Luke Sanderson), Venus Leung (Eleanor Vance), and Charlotte Gilman (Theodora)
David Nickol, Sally Schmucker, John Grow, Charlotte Gilman, Jefferson Harwood, Venus Leung
The Cast
The show brings some interesting characters to life. Eleanor, played by Venus Leung, sees the journey to Hill House as an opportunity to break free and become her own person. She is befriended by Theodora, played by Charlotte Gilman, who has a reputation for psychic sensitivity. Both women are invited to Hill House by the studious Dr. Montague, played by David Nickol. Luke Sanderson, played by Jefferson Harwood, rounds out the people asked to join the investigation. He is a member of the family who owns Hill House, but doesn’t really believe the ghost stories. Adding to the spookiness is caretaker Mrs. Dudley, played by Victoria Hoffman; the impatient Mrs. Montague, played by Sally Schmucker; and Arthur, companion to Mrs. Montague, and played by John Grow.
Freeman clarifies that the show has no gore or violence, but it is a story about a haunted house. “There are scenes that may unsettle people as Hill House begins to show its cards. Ultimately, I think the decision should be made by the parents. They know their kids best.” In fact, the “haunts” are what Freeman is looking forward to the most, or rather, the audience reaction to them. “This is a supernatural thriller and I’m looking forward to getting the show polished so we set the right tone and pace to maintain the appropriate tension with the audience.”
He is excited to share this great American story now, on the 60th anniversary of its original publishing. Horror has always been part of his life, which adds to his excitement of the show. “My Dad and I used to love watching scary movies together while the rest of our family was asleep. My formative years were steeped in authors such as Stephen King and Anne Rice and filmmakers like John Carpenter and Wes Craven. For some who know me that may be a surprise, and others may just think that explains so much about who I am today.”
Up next for Freeman – the opportunities are open. “I recently moved to St. Louis, and I’m so thankful to have a super group of friends who are letting me couch surf with them while I direct this show. This will, unfortunately, be my last show in Kansas City. But there is a very active theatre community in St. Louis that I plan to explore more extensively once Hill House reaches its final curtain.”
The Haunting of Hill House runs at OCTA October 25th – November 10th, with a special Halloween performance on Thursday, October 31st. Fridays and Saturdays start at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm. Reservations are encouraged: 913-782-2990 or tickets@olathetheatre.org
Special Dates:
Opening Night, October 25th: Guests are treated to a post-show celebration with the cast and crew!
Halloween Night, October 31st: “Hallowine and Cheese Party” after the show! Costumes encouraged!
The cast includes: Venus Leung (Eleanor Vance), Charlotte Gilman (Theodora), David Nickol (Dr. Montague), Jefferson Harwood (Luke), Sally Schmucker (Mrs. Montague), John Grow (Arthur), and Victoria Hoffman (Mrs. Dudley).
The creative team includes: Derrick Freeman (director), D.K. Evenson (stage manager), Chuck Cline (lighting designer), Michael Bunn (sound designer), Meghann Deveroux (costume designer), Kaylee Flory (props designer), Richard J. Burt (set design consultant).
Up Next at OCTA:
THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE
Inspiration for the hit Netflix Original Series!
Adapted for the stage by F. Andrew Leslie from the novel by Shirley Jackson
Directed by Derrick Freeman
October 25 – November 10, 2019
*Halloween Performance and “Hallowine and Cheese” Party October 31st
Four “psychically receptive” visitors arrive at the notoriously unfriendly Hill House in order to explore and draw forth the mysterious powers it is alleged to possess. Their stay seems destined to be merely a spooky encounter with inexplicable phenomena, but Hill House is gathering its powers—and soon it will choose one of them to make its own. Get ready to scream out loud at this classic psychological horror story that has both wit and thrills.
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
By William Shakespeare | Directed by David Martin
February 14 – March 1, 2020
Double-meanings, disguises, and dirty laundry abound as Sir John Falstaff sets about improving his financial situation by wooing Mistress Page and Mistress Ford. But the ‘Merry Wives’ quickly catch on to his tricks and decide to have a bit of fun of their own at Falstaff’s expense. A rollicking farce by the great Bard himself!
THE GOD COMMITTEE
By Mark St. Germain | Directed by Nino Casisi
April 3 – 19, 2020
Medicine, money, and morality clash when the heart transplant selection committee of St. Patrick’s Hospital has only minutes to decide which of four patients will receive a heart that has suddenly become available. A cross between Twelve Angry Men and ER, The God Committee takes us into the inner workings of a transplant program and a decision, for both their candidates and their program, which is a matter of life and death.
BIG FISH
Book by John August | Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa
Based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the Columbia Motion Picture written by John August
Directed by Jessica Franz | Music Directed by Baker Purdon
May 29 – June 14, 2020
Based on the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed film directed by Tim Burton, Big Fish tells the story of Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest… and then some! Edward’s incredible, larger-than-life stories thrill everyone around him – most of all, his devoted wife Sandra. But their son Will, about to become a father himself, is determined to find the truth behind his father’s epic tales. …an extraordinary musical that reminds us why we love going to the theatre.
SPECIAL EVENTS
OCTA IS HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
In loving memory of The Jan Conner Christmas Show
Written by Shelly Stewart Banks and Peter Leondedis
Directed by Shelly Stewart Banks
December 6, 7, 13, 14, 2020
Peter Leondedis and Shelly Stewart Banks are back with an ever-changing cast of talented local performers as they come together to wait for the Spirit of Christmas to arrive and bring a little holiday magic to OCTA! Each night will include something new and different and you won’t want to miss a thing. A fun, musical variety show for the whole family!
NEW WORKS PLAYWRIGHT COMPETITION (NWPC)
March 6 & 7, 2020
Which of the five finalists of OCTA’s fourth annual New Works Playwright Competition will get a full-length workshop for their script? You’ll see short teasers of each script, then vote for the winner. Make your voice count and support the local playwriting community at the same time!
NWPC WINNER WORKSHOP
June 19 & 20, 2020
Join us for the full-length stage reading of the 2020 New Works Playwright Competition winner. The NWPC Winner Workshop provides a unique opportunity for the winning playwright to workshop their production on the OCTA stage and get feedback from a live audience.
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