Fight your fears ... with laughter
This Halloween, don't let your nightmares get the best of you. Fight your fears with some funny!
Nothing Special Productions presents "Nightmare in Paradise: A Halloween Spooktacular!" for three nights beginning 8 p.m. today, Oct. 30, at the Elgin Art Showcase.
A twist on the traditional Halloween offerings, this show is "for anyone who likes to laugh," according to director and actor Nick Cardiff.
"We're spoofing the scary elements of the holiday," he said.
The play centers on Dennis, a man trying to redeem himself after planning a terrible anniversary trip for his wife. After meeting with a sketchy travel agent, the pair trek to the southernmost tip of South America. Instead of taking in the exotic atmosphere, the couple find themselves trapped within the holdings of their own nightmares.
"We play out what happens to most people in their nightmares," said Chris Petlak of Mount Prospect, who plays Dennis. "Situations where you're perpetually falling or constantly running but not getting anywhere; on stage, it's just total goofiness."
The show was written by Elgin residents Cardiff and Brian Rohde, two of the founding members of Nothing Special Productions. In addition to creating original material, the company focuses on giving back to its community.
Most of its shows have been produced and performed in Elgin, in an effort to help the city become more well-known for art.
The team is also committed toward bringing theater back into the classroom, having created several dramatic workshops that can be taught on the elementary or high school level.
"It's extremely important to keep in art in school," Cardiff said. "Without creativity, there would be no science or math."
Other cast members include Jesse Greco, Jessi Lewandowski, Meredith Koch and Rohde, all of Elgin; Chelsey Horstmann, Scott Sawa, and Brian Blankenship, all of Chicago.
No matter what the group sets out to do, whether is be teaching children the art of storytelling or donating ticket sales to their favorite charity, Easter Seals, Nothing Special Productions is all about having fun.
"Once this stops being fun, we'll stop doing it," said Cardiff. "Theater does not have to be all serious."
"Every Halloween, there are always haunted houses or scary movies, but we're doing something different," Petlak said. "We want to make you laugh."
If you go
What: Nothing Special Productions' "Nightmare in Paradise: A Halloween Spooktacular!"
When: 8 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday; Oct. 30, 31 and Nov. 1
Where: Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division Street, Elgin
Tickets: $13 for adults; $10 for students
Info: Visit nothingspecialproductions.com or call Alyssa at (630) 709-8014.