'Ghost Stories in the Park' brings spooky tales to Naperville
That cool tingle on the back of your neck? It's just a breeze from the river. The dark figure following you down the Riverwalk? That's your shadow, silly. The hairy guy sitting next to you on your blanket as you listen to ghost stories? He's a werewolf.
Organizers of the Summer Place Theatre and the Naperville Park District's “Ghost Stories in the Park … in the Dark!” say the event, now in its 20th year, is getting back to its roots with spooky storytelling and audience interaction.
“We've had some themes and done some skits and things in the past, but this year we've decided that a well-told ghost story can be about as scary as it gets,” Producer Lisa Wukitsch said.
The production returns to the Naperville Riverwalk Grand Pavilion for two weekends of thrills and chills. Ghost Stories will be presented Fridays through Sundays, Oct. 7-9 and Oct. 14-16, with shows beginning at 7 p.m. Fridays and Sundays. Saturday shows are at 6 and 8 p.m.
Wukitsch promises the 7 p.m. show on Oct. 16 will be the scariest. The early Saturday shows are G-rated and safe for younger children.
Eight performers will present stories of grisly acts, mysterious hauntings and scary urban legends.
“Adults will enjoy the G-rated stories because there are jokes and references built into the stories for them,” performer Don Gingold said between takes at Monday night's practice.
“And the other shows are a bit scarier, with some ramped up tension and bumps in the night.”
Along with telling guests how to turn themselves into werewolves, Gingold said he'll also tell the “real story” about the night the devil went to down to Georgia and doing the Monster Mash.
“We have a great ensemble of people who can tell great stories and really get the crowd going,” Gingold said. “Hearing a scary story told the right way can rival any scary movie.”
If you go
What: Ghost Stories in the Park … In the Dark!
When: 7 p.m. Fridays and Sundays, 6 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 7-9 and 14-16
Where: Riverwalk Grand Pavilion, just west of Centennial Beach
Tickets: $7
Info: (630) 848-5000 or napervilleparks.org