Had such a delightful (and frightful) time at Tryon Palace’s North Carolina History Center. Despite the inclement weather outside, we presented seven performances of “Johann and the Haunted House.” Adults and children alike had a fun and spooky time.
As a stanchion, we strung Halloween tape between the stages (to keep the wee children back a bit). Children posed inside the fortune teller booth, where we also distributed Halloween candy.
In the Prologue, the Hunchback welcomed our guests and introduced the show. In Act I Sophie dared Johann to go into a reputed haunted house, home, people say, to Zelda the Witch. Johann accepts the dare.
In Act III a bat flaps about in a cobwebbed chamber. Johann, inside the haunted house, looks about after hearing a woman cackle.
Johann meets a ghost. With loud stomping, Johann is surprised by the Frankenstein monster!
The ghost of a dog seems friendly to Johann. A mummy greets Johann.
The Great Pumpkin commends Johann for his bravery. He teaches Johann a spell if he encounters future dangers.
Johann roams into a conservatory filled with monstrous plants. A plant attempts to eat Johann, but after reciting the Great Pumpkin’s spell, the plant grows quiet.
Zelda appears to Johann. Impressed by his bravery, the witch invites the lad to her Halloween party next year. In the Epilogue, the Hunchback thanks the guests while Zelda wishes everyone a Happy Halloween.
After the shows we invited the guests to take a peek behind the stages. Dennis enjoyed demonstrating how to use a marionette. Adults were fascinated. Dennis, the man behind the various voices, enjoyed explaining how to use puppets.
