Five guests. One haunted house. A $50,000 prize. All they have to do is survive the night.
Theatre of Dare invites audiences into a night of mystery, mischief, and supernatural suspense with The House on Haunted Hill, written by Tommy Jamerson and directed by Kelsey Thompson. Based on the classic 1959 Vincent Price film, the production runs November 6 through 15.
The trouble begins when millionaire Frederick Lauren (Terry Schappert) and his fourth wife, Annabelle Lauren (Brandy Hayes), invite five guests to spend the night in a supposedly haunted house. Each is promised $50,000 if they make it to sunrise. It sounds like easy money until the house begins to reveal its secrets.
Among those who accept the challenge are Nina Meers (Cameron Wescott), Lance Schroeder (Ryan Riley), Ruth Bridges (Emily Thigpen) and Dr. David Trent (Evan Tillett). Watson Pritchard (Larry Warner), a man familiar with the house and its history, adds another layer of uncertainty to an unsettling night.
As the night goes on, suspicions mount, hidden motives come to light, and the guests find themselves questioning whom they can trust. Is the danger coming from the house itself, the people trapped inside or something they cannot explain? With a large cash prize on the line, everyone has a reason to stay, and perhaps an even better reason to leave.
Thompson said the production balances its eerie atmosphere with the humor and unexpected turns that make the story so entertaining.
“The House on Haunted Hill has a little bit of everything: a millionaire, prize money, characters with plenty to hide, and a few restless spirits thrown into the mix,” Thompson said. “The fun is that things are rarely what they seem, and just when you think you know what’s going on, something changes. The cast has really enjoyed bringing these characters to life, and we hope audiences have just as much fun trying to figure out what’s going to happen next.”
Rounding out the cast are Adara Huls as Cassidy Bowman, Vivian Stem as Rebecca Valifax/The Bride, Bert Plante as Louis Slides/Byron Valifax and Vicki Poe as Eleanor Slides. Michelle Hall serves as understudy for Lance Schroeder, while Chase Jamieson, Mia Martier, and Harper Cohill appear in featured roles. Bella Butler provides voiceover.
Performances will take place at Theatre of Dare, 3848 N. Croatan Highway in Kitty Hawk, on the following dates:
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Friday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m.
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Saturday, Nov. 7, at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
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Sunday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m.
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Thursday, Nov. 12, at 7:30 p.m.
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Friday, Nov. 13, at 7:30 p.m.
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Saturday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m.
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Sunday, Nov. 15, at 2 p.m.
Individual show tickets go on sale Friday, October 16, and can be purchased online at theatreofdareobx.com.
For audiences who enjoy a good mystery, a few well-timed laughs and the thrill of not knowing what comes next, House on Haunted Hill promises a night of theatrical suspense with a devilishly tempting payoff. For additional information, visit theatreofdareobx.com or follow Theatre of Dare on social media for updates, behind-the-scenes content and other production news.
Theatre of Dare is a community theatre serving audiences and performers on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Through live theatrical productions and community engagement, the organization seeks to provide entertaining, thought-provoking and accessible theatre experiences for the region.
