Here's where to find some scary good fun around Somerset County on Halloween weekend
There’s a lot of scary good fun planned for Halloween weekend in and around Somerset County, and here are some activities we’ve found for anyone who’s looking for something to do.
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‘Stage Fright’
In Jennerstown, guests can participate in "Stage Fright," a haunted house experience in a live theater setting, said Tamera Gindlesperger Fisher, executive director of the Mandatory Theater Company. This is the second project for the new theater company, which started in August under the direction of Gindlesperger Fisher and Rebekah Hurley, director of operations.
A group of student and adult actors will perform 12 individual scenes based on old films and television shows, including classic horror and comedy programs. The program also includes two musical numbers performed by the entire cast to start and end the show, Gindlesperger Fisher said.
“I picked characters and scenes the actors could perform, based on real scenes from old TV and film moments,” she said. “The audience does participate, as guided along by actors. There are scary moments, funny moments and sad moments. Ultimately, people will mostly feel upbeat, laughing and screaming in a good way.”
“Stage Fright” takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 31 at the historic Mountain Playhouse performing arts theater, 7690 Somerset Pike. Tours are to start every 15-30 minutes depending on the size of the crowd. All tickets will be sold at the theater, and paying by cash is preferred. Ticket prices and other information can be found at the mandatorytheater.com website.
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According to the website, parental discretion is advised for children under 8 because of darkness and some scary images, including blood and fake body parts. There are also strobe lights in certain places, which could affect guests with epilepsy, Gindlesperger Fisher said.
“My goal was to make this PG-10,” she said. “There’s a lot of darkness (no lighting) and you could be touched, but they’re not supposed to grab you. People shouldn’t be shocked because these should be scenes that people are familiar with.
“There’s (also) nothing overtly evil, no Satan. The show is horror film-esque in a vintage way.”
A portion of the proceeds from "Stage Fright" will benefit the North Star High School Musical Boosters, where Gindlesperger Fisher is the current director of the high school’s annual musical.
Professionally, Gindlesperger Fisher has an impressive acting resume of film, television and theater work, including her most recent appearance as Sister Mary Hubert in the Mountain Playhouse’s production of Nunsense.
She’s also known locally for her recurring role as Missy Kreitzer in “Greg & Donny,” the internet comedy series that’s set in Johnstown.
Gindlesperger Fisher and her husband decided to return to this area from New York to raise their three children. The five of them are working together in this production of “Stage Fright,” as is her father, Larry E. Gindlesperger, who directed musicals at North Star in the 1990s. He is now the executive producer for North Star's musical.
There are also some students from the high school's musical program who are helping the Mandatory Theater Company put on a successful event.
“I enjoy bringing theater to the area in all kinds of ways,” Gindlesperger Fisher said. “The show is in a very cool historic building (the Mountain Playhouse theater), so that couldn’t be any better.
“The kids truly love performing, so come and support them. This show is for those who enjoy getting into the Halloween spirit without the dark imagery.”
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More Halloween attractions
Haunted Hollow, 126 Woodland Road in Rockwood. 814-926-3133. Open Friday and Saturday from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. General admission includes entrance to five attractions: Bruner Boarding House, Milford Asylum, HollowWood Haunted Hayride, Toxic Swamp Walk and the Dead End Cornfield. Guests should order tickets online in advance, as tickets may sell out for some dates. Tickets can be ordered with a credit card at hauntedhollow.net; box office on-site is cash only. Food concessions and merchandise are also available to purchase onsite. More information can be found at hauntedhollow.net or on their Facebook page.
Duda’s Haunted Farm, 157 Creek Road, Brownsville. Haunted Corn Maze and Haunted Hayride on Saturday and Sunday, tickets are on sale from 7 to 11 p.m. both nights. Tickets are available for either attraction or a single price for both. More information is available at Facebook.com/DudasHauntedFarm or dudasfarm.com/hayrides.php.
Fright Farm, 2043 Springhill Furnace Road, Smithfield. 724-564-7644. Open Thursday to Sunday, as well as Oct. 30 and 31. Ticket booth hours are 6 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Thursday and Sunday, and from 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets can be ordered online at frightfarm.com or in person. General admission includes entrance to all attractions. Food concessions and merchandise are also available to purchase onsite. More information is available at frightfarm.com or at Facebook.com/FrightFarm/.
Lonesome Valley Farms, 180 Fairgrounds Road, Greensburg. 724-423-4290. Open from dark to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from dark to 9 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are sold at the ticket booth and are cash only. Combo ticket includes both haunted attractions: Haunted Hayride (with walking trail) and Slotter Farmhouse and Barn. Tickets to the non-haunted Get Lost corn maze are also available during the same hours. Concessions available. More information is available at lonesomevalleyfarms.com or Facebook.com/people/Lonesome-Valley-Farms/100064688466425/.
Movie theaters
The State Theater of Johnstown is showing the classic horror comedy “Rocky Horror Picture Show” from 12 to 2 a.m. at the theater, located at 336 Main St. In downtown Johnstown. Tickets to the movie can be purchased online at statetheaterofjohnstown.com.
Brownsville Drive-In, 6229 National Pike, Grindstone. 724-785-7190. Two movies are to be shown on three separate screens on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. Box office opens at 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 6 p.m. on Sunday; movies start at dusk. Movie schedule for Halloween weekend is: Oct. 26-29, Screen Two: Five Nights @ Freddy’s and a movie to be announced and Screen Three: Hocus Pocus and The Nightmare Before Christmas; Oct. 31, Screen Two: Five Nights @ Freddy’s and a movie to be announced and Screen Three: Hocus Pocus and The Nightmare Before Christmas; Nov. 2, Screen Two: Five Nights @ Freddy’s and a movie to be announced; and Screen Three: Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street. Cash only, no credit cards accepted. A concession stand and fire pit rentals are available; more information is posted at Facebook.com/brownsvilledrivein and bvilledrivein.com.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Halloween entertainment around Somerset County includes live theater, movies
