Lawrence C. Connolly's Blog, page 10

This Week on Mystery Theatre:The “Three-Things” Writing Prompt

“Lately I’ve become a fan of crazy unrelated ideas being woven into the fabric of a story.”

So writes best-selling mystery writer Jordan Dane in a blog about what has been called “The Three Things” writing prompt. It’s a great way for jumpstarting the muse, and—as it ties in with this week’s episode of “In the Ghost Light’s Glow” (which will be released this week on December 1)—I thought we might take a moment to consider it in today’s blog.

Here’s a bit more of what Jordan Dane has to say about...

This Week on Mystery Theatre:Ghosts & Stories

In response to last week’s post “The Most Haunted Place in Pittsburgh,” Facebook friend Michael Brendan informs us that his father actually had an encounter with a Playhouse ghost. “It was John,” Michael writes, referring to the ghost of deceased thespian John Johns. “Dad saw him once in the seats after a show had ended. John later tried messing with Dad as he was doing some carpentry work, and Dad wasn’t having it.”

A ghost bugging a carpenter? What could go wrong?

Michael’s description of John...

This Week on Mystery Theatre:Ghosts & Stories

In response to last week’s post “The Most Haunted Place in Pittsburgh,” Facebook friend Michael Brendan informs us that his father actually had an encounter with a Playhouse ghost. “It was John,” Michael writes, referring to the ghost of deceased thespian John Johns. “Dad saw him once in the seats after a show had ended. John later tried messing with Dad as he was doing some carpentry work, and Dad wasn’t having it.”

A ghost bugging a carpenter? What could go wrong?

video recreation produced by...

This Week on Mystery Theatre:The Most Haunted Place in Pittsburgh

For two weeks running, audiences who attended Prime Stage Theatre’s production of Frankenstein witnessed a haunting at the New Hazlett Theatre. Of course, it was part of the performance, with actor Suzanne Ward appearing as the white-clad spirit of Victor Frankenstein’s mother. But if you’ve ever worked on a stage production or spent any time among theatre people, you’ve probably heard … [read more at The 21st Century Scop.]

This Week on Mystery Theatre:The Most Haunted Place in Pittsburgh

For two weeks running, audiences who attended Prime Stage Theatre’s production of Frankenstein witnessed a haunting at the New Hazlett Theatre. Of course, it was part of the performance, with actor Suzanne Ward appearing as the white-clad spirit of Victor Frankenstein’s mother.

The ghost of Caroline Frankenstein haunts her son’s laboratory in Prime Stage’s Frankenstein.

But if you’ve ever worked on a stage production or spent any time among theatre people, you’ve probably heard that theatres are...

Frankenstein Reviews: It’s alive!

“A great adaptation of the classic novel.”

So says Sean Collier on Pittsburgh Today, and it’s just one of the many strong notices that Prime Stage Theatre’s Frankenstein has garnered since its opening on November 5.

You can catch the entire Pittsburgh Today review by clicking the player at the bottom of this post.

Everett Lowe as the Creature and Maddie Kocur as Justine Moritz.

Also out is a strong review from Broadway World, which has some terrific things to say about Everett Lowe’s performanc...

This Week on Mystery Theatre:Listener suggestions and responses

Ghost light.

It’s the light in a theatre that never goes out.

Some say it’s to keep ghosts away. Others claim it’s to light the stage for dead performers. Still others insist it merely provides illumination for stagehands.

Whatever the case, tonight you enter a darkened theatre to find a figure standing in its glow. The figure seems to be pondering a collection of stage props, but then—as you approach—it vanishes!

Reaching the table, you discover an antique journal you’ve never seen before. Wh...

New on Mystery Theatre:Episode 1 of “In the Ghost Light’s Glow”

Following a rehearsal for a play based on the life of Mary Shelley, you return to the darkened theatre to find a mysterious stranger standing on the stage.

Is it a ghost?

An intruder?

And what does it have to do with a collection of props gathered from the theatre’s basement?

One thing’s for sure, this may be the most confounding mystery … [read more at The 21st-Century Scop].

 

Frankenstein Week:Print, Audio, & Video Previews

If this past weekend was Frankenstein Weekend (see my previous post if you have any doubts about that), then this week must be Frankenstein week. At least it looks that way judging from the advanced media attention that Prime Stage Theatre’s all-new production of Frankenstein has been getting.

Out today are previews from three of the region’s prominent news sites: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Local Pittsburgh, and The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Written by Pittsburgh musician, writer, and journa...

Celebrating Frankenstein Weekend …@ The Little Green Bookstore in Zelienople

Yesterday was Frankenstein Friday. That’s according to the website National Today, which as near as I can figure is a site where folks suggest holidays and have them listed for others to celebrate. Though not to be confused with the official holidays and various observances identified on your Google calendar, National Today’s designation works for me. Indeed, I’m glad to take it one step further and regard this weekend as Frankenstein Weekend.

And it seems the town of Zelienople (30 miles north ...