WICKED LIT: THE CHIMES & THE CORPSE

Despite the proportions of Wicked Lit being considerably more constricted this Halloween season, I'm very pleased to report that the considerable talent involved in bringing the show to life has remained intact. Particular attention should be drawn to actors Richard Large (as Toby Veck in The Chimes) and Kevin Dulude (The Corpse in The Corpse) for delivering such authenticity and compassion to their performances, but all the other leads and supporting cast members are uniformly excellent across the board. In addition to the confined spaces, Wicked Lit‘s special effects also feel more subdued this year, and though I missed seeing the company's trademark jaw-dropping puppeteering work and spectacular tree-shaking scares in the show, I was able to enjoy and appreciate a quieter, more atmospherically eerie entry in what continues to be one of my most treasured Halloween activities in the greater Los Angeles area.

Unlike previous incarnations, this year the entire performance and meeting place lobby is indoors, so no need to dress for the colder weather outdoors, although I can guarantee a few chills up and down your spine during the plays. But while the world premiere of “Teig O'Kane and the Corpse” was brilliantly acted and staged, there was absolutely no opportunity to be seated at any point during the tense scenes. While I definitely appreciated being able to sit during the entire “The Chimes: A Goblin Story” play and the skill with which the actors presented their characters, especially Christopher Wallinger and Lamont Webb as the two goblins haunting the distressed father, Toby Veck (Richard Large), the story seemed very familiar, in the same vein as “A Christmas Carol” in which Scrooge is visited by ghosts who convince him to live his life in a more humanitarian way and “It's a Wonderful Life” in which angel-in-training Clarence visits George Bailey to show him how different life would turn out if he takes his own life. So no surprise ending here.

Wicked Lit may not be the most terrifying event of the season. But for audiences craving a good, old-fashioned ghost story, skillfully played in a uniquely chilling setting, Wicked Lit is a must-see.

Despite its reduced time and stories, Wicked Lit once again delivers a masterpiece of immersive theater. The stories are riveting and compelling, and the portrayals by the actors—some new to Wicked Lit and some returning from different roles in previous seasons—really draw audience members into a different world and history. The mausoleum setting provides a wonderfully ghostly ambiance in which to enjoy such ominous tales.

Fantastic production values without great actors wouldn't add up to much, and the Wicked Lit actors are at the top of their game. Not only can they all act, but they can do it surrounded by an audience so close at times they could reach out and touch them — unlike some movie stars who can't focus with anyone in their eye line and require multiple takes. If I were to give a shout out, I'd have to list every single person in the cast... For lovers of ghost stories of all kinds, Wicked Lit is one of the best treats of the Halloween season. If you don't immediately think of Wicked Lit when everything pumpkin spice rolls out, try it this year — and start a new fall tradition. Since 2013, Wicked Lit has sold every ticket to every performance, so don't wait! Some shows are already sold out.

Reversing the trend, Unbound Productions offers a pared-down version of Wicked Lit for Halloween 2018, with only two plays, no framing story, limited use of the location, and fewer special effects. The result is like watching your favorite musical group abandon the elaborate stage lighting and effects of its stadium tour and return to a small club for a bare-bones performance: the back-to-basics approach is more intimate, eschewing spectacle in favor of emphasizing the music (or in this case, the drama).

A modest pre-show display of costumes, props, and puppets provides opportunities for picture taking but the sense of community created over past years in the improvisatory preshow entertainment is missing. Still, the mausoleum is a gorgeous backdrop and well-worth a visit at night to experience Unbound Productions' theatre within its hallowed halls, even if this year's event comes with fewer bells and whistles. Rest assured, first timers and fans will have plenty to ooh and ah over.

Wicked Lit does a good job of reviving two semi-forgotten, classic pieces of literature by adding an interactive, modern twist to their production. Though the themes are romantically sad at times, each play contains light elements of humor that add a playful tone to the shows. The evening is more fun than scary, and Unbound Productions' use of the space within Mountain View allows audiences to enjoy and discover the hidden LA architectural gem, which may be worth going for alone. - RECOMMENDED

Ultimately, the content of both plays felt out-of-date, and deeply mismatched with the family-friendly vibe that Wicked Lit is known for. Unbound Productions has proven themselves capable in delivering strong technical expertise, high quality production design, and clever choreography. Hopefully as they continue to build their annual tradition, they'll build out a library of well-considered and timely scripts as well — stories where men take responsibility for their own actions.

Engaging performances and thought-provoking direction make these new stories shine during a time that needs it the most. If you're in LA and seeking something to do that celebrates the traditions of the season, get yourself to Wicked Lit.

Ultimately, Wicked Lit is a high quality production, but not as fun, nor as scary, as I was hoping for. I'm sure the choice to have both productions with similar morality themes was carefully considered, but it wasn't what I was hoping for. They are also both smaller in scale than previous years. None of the building's exterior, including the cemetery, was used. I believe this was partly at the request of the venue, and Wicked Lit adapted well, but it does take away some of the wow factor that impressed me my first time. My friend, with nothing to compare the show to, enjoyed it better than I did. The rating on the side is a combination of hers and mine, and I think it's a good sign that for newcomers, Wicked Lit is still a memorable and unique twist on the theater. The shorter running time is a net positive, as is the lower cost to attend. Perhaps with this model, more people can learn about immersive theater and seek out the bigger, scarier attractions if they so choose.

Overall, despite the shows being less effective then previous years' productions, the Wicked Lit experience is a memorable one. The mausoleum is stunning, and when the stories aren't being presented, attendees are able to go around certain parts of the building and explore. In the quiet and the shadows, an eeriness is palpable. And who doesn't want to get creeped out right before Halloween?

Overall, Wicked Lit 2018 is enjoyable and smart and makes great use of its historic location. (There's no other theater experience quite like being in a beautiful century-old mausoleum at night.)