By J.E. Ballantyne Jr.
Anyone familiar with vintage television programs – or even those New Year’s Eve marathon broadcasts on cable TV – will certainly know about “The Twilight Zone.”
Created by Rod Serling, this sci-fi/fantasy/horror series ran from 1959 to 1964 and presented – “for your approval” – a litany of strange and unusual stories that delighted loyal audiences for years. Many episodes ended with some sort of moral.
The Hopewell Theatre resurrects a few of those stories in “In the Zone,” which opened, appropriately, on Halloween night. The tales were adapted for the stage by Christopher Fidram, who is also the director of the Hopewell production.
Many in the sold-out opening night audience recalled the specific episodes that were presented. Well over a hundred episodes were made, but the Hopewell was only permitted to select from about 90 that were written by show creator Rod Serling. The ones Fidram chose adapted well – not only to a theatrical presentation but also to the specifics of the Hopewell stage.
Leading the curious evening off was “What You Need.” Set in a small seedy bar, a group of individuals sit around discussing anything and everything with bartender Steven Fraley guiding the jovial pitter-patter. Jovial, that is, until Renard, played by Brian Suchora, turns the tone sour with his angry attitude and cut-throat countenance.
rriving on the scene is Pedott, played by Bill Rees. Pedott is a nice little old man toting a suitcase – a quite unusual suitcase. Pedott claims to be able to provide people with “what you need” at seemingly just the right time.
Suchora is in top form as the snarling, grisly Renard. He comes across as a truly hopeless individual but then turns the character into a conniving, menacing and unwanted “partner” to Pedott. Just as you think his character may improve, Suchora cunningly pulls the rug out from under you.
Rees creates a very likeable, although somewhat mysterious, little old man, whose only mission seems to be helping people with items from the suitcase that he senses that they need – things that range from good to, well, maybe not so good. You be the judge.
Others in the scene were Mel Lyon, Collin Goddard, Casey Murphy, and Richard Smiley.
Following that is “Twenty-Two” which stars Connie Cassidy as professional dancer Liz Powell. We find Powell in the hospital being treated for exhaustion over work. But while there, she has recurring dreams of a frightening encounter with a strange creepy nurse at the end of a long dark hallway – or are they dreams??
Cassidy is strong in this role and sells it to the hilt with her total commitment to the character. She sells each “journey” through hospital halls convincingly with her face telling the story each foot of the way. Her emotional high points are strong and grab the audience by pulling them into her scary world.
Terry Shears turns in a very different performance than usual as her doctor. Shears has a calm and somewhat sinister line delivery to the character, but at the same time brings humor to him. He molds the character so well that you are never quite sure what he is, much less what his intentions are.
Also in the scene is Chase Miles as Barney, Powell’s seedy agent. Miles is smooth and slithery as he oils his way around the hospital room floor. Rhonny Dam provides an interesting and unsettling portrayal of the nurse at the end of the hall.
Others in this segment are Karianne Rateno, Bob Gerdes, Matt Liller, Casey Murphy and Chuck Wilcox.
“The Shelter” comes next and is a bit of a change of pace from what has come before. We find ourselves at a birthday celebration for Dr. Bill Stockton (Terry Shears) with all of his neighbors and close friends. Jerry (Chase Miles) sets the happy scene with a birthday speech honoring his close friend.
The tone quickly changes, however, when they are all notified of what may be an impending nuclear attack. In a panic, Stockton bundles his family off to his bomb shelter while the others fight to join him. His shelter is only big enough for three people so he shuts them out to fend for themselves.
What ensues is a truly frightening saga as they each turn on each other in a desperate attempt to survive at any and all costs. Shears is electric in this role as he must make the difficult choice to abandon his friends and neighbors.
All in this scene turn in first-rate performances. Their fear, fright and animalistic tendencies are expertly portrayed in what is a truly disturbing situation. As Serling once noted, “for civilization to survive, the human race has to remain civilized.”
Does anyone truly know what they would do in this situation? Put yourself in the shoes of these characters! Doing great work in this scene were Sara Whitlach, Brenda Zyvith, Haylee Mohn, Chuck Wilcox, Renee Cuerdan, Brian Suchora, Brenda Hickman and Richard Smiley.
Up next is “The Trade-Ins,” an interesting tale of an elderly couple that wishes to trade-in their aging bodies for ones much younger. The only problem is that it costs $10,000 for both of them and they only have $5,000 to their name. What are they to do?
Stephanie Cambro and Bill Rees play Marie Hope and George Hope, respectively. Cambro sells the role of Marie with a sensitive and appealing touch as her pain-ridden body has made her life unpleasant. Rees, in turn, plays a sympathetic George who is willing to let Marie be the one to “grow younger” since they don’t have the money for both.
Both Cambro and Rees turn in great performances that tug at the heartstrings the entire way. It is a more lighthearted segment than the rest and the couple make the most of their time on stage. Others in the scene are Matt Liller, Karianne Rateno, Rhonny Dam, Mel Lyon, Casey Murphy, Chase Miles, Collin Goddard, Jenna Cintavey and Richard Smiley.
Winding up the evening is “Will the Real Martians Stand Up?” This is really an ensemble piece in which a busload of six people are stranded in a roadside diner. Or is it seven? Nobody is quite sure.
You see, a UFO has been reported as crashing nearby and there are footprints from the crash site leading to the diner. So, nobody is quite sure who anyone is, except for maybe the bus driver, well played by Jenna Cintavey. Terry Shears makes another appearance here as a feisty, comical old man who is caught up in all of the excitement and serves as the comical center that helps feed the entire piece. This segment is truly representative of many “Twight Zone” episodes.
One other actor deserves special mention at this point. What would a “Twilight Zone” episode be without Rod Serling? And yes, Serling is here in each episode. Mario Ricciardi is tasked with creating this indelible TV personality. And what a job he does. He has created almost a clone of the well known series host, from his stance, look, voice and speech inflection. He is Rod Serling – a perfect bonus for each of the five stories.
Play director Fidram has done an exquisite job casting this show, adapting
the stories, and directing this show. He maintains the period look of each piece, which is critical to the plot and mood of each one. Updating these would not have worked. He has done great work with this show.
Lighting by Ellen Licitra is special and adds to the eeriness and mood of each episode. The visual mood in each piece is critical for the show to work at all. The use of background music in each piece creates mood and mystery and helps to send your mind back to the old, and better, days of television.
“In the Zone” is perfect for this time of year – great Halloween entertainment. It is well done and is something different and unusual that you don’t see on stage much, if at all. Don’t miss it – it will “unlock the door” to your imagination.
“In the Zone” will continue Nov. 1, 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 9 at 2 p.m.
Pictured at top: Karianne Rateno, Stephanie Cambro and Matt Liller in a scene from Hopewell Theatre’s “Into the Zone.”