Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Salem Theatre Company's Annual Chilling Tales Event




Photos of actor is Chris Clark with Photo Copyrighted to John Fogle.

Salem Theatre Company (STC) once again boards the historic Friendship, at Salem's Derby Wharf, for its 6th annual Chilling Tales. Three new original stories of the strange and supernatural will be told by professional actors in period costumes. Beginning the weekend of October 3rd through October 26th Chilling Tales will run Fridays from 6 p.m.- 9 p.m.; Saturdays from 5 p.m.- 9 p.m ; Sundays from 4 p.m.- 8 p.m. Up to 15 people board every 15 minutes for this 45 minute performance that travels through different parts of the ship. Tickets can be purchased online at www.salemtheatre.com or at the STC Box Office at Derby Wharf on the night of performance. Ticket prices are $15 adult and $10 children 13 and under. We regret that phone reservations cannot be accepted for Chilling Tales.

Hundreds of years ago, Salem was a bustling port filled with ships heading in and out of the harbor. Large cargo vessels set sail into uncharted waters, venturing to lands unknown. On board these ships, young crewmen sought adventure while facing the unpredictable sea. What happened to ships that never returned, lost at sea forever? For generations, seafarers have told tales of their voyages. Encounters with mutiny, forces of nature, and even the supernatural have all been a part of maritime history. These accounts inspire STC's Chilling Tales aboard the Friendship. During Chilling Tales, you will experience the confinements of being on a cargo ship, sitting in the dimly lite cabins below at night, perhaps such tight quarters could make a man go crazy, especially out at sea. Although the Friendship cannot leave the dock, Chilling Tales and STC provide a dramatic experience inside this reconstructed vessel.

The three original stories that were selected this year intertwine from one tale to the next, keeping the audience moving through the Friendship, anxious to hear more about the tale. "Over the last few seasons, Chilling Tales has developed into a genuine theatrical production by engaging its audience," states Director, Catherine Bertrand. "The actors are always up to the challenge of being on the Friendship for their performances, even for them it's a whole new experience being 'off stage' in a manner of speaking."

Chilling Tales aboard the Friendship will be performed by local actors, including Gianna Baglioni, Jude Bascom, Stephen Bascom, Jim Burkholder, Mia Cowper, Casey Matteson, Tom Ostrowski, Tom Sprague, Al Vatour, Miles Hartfelder, a Salem High School sophomore and member of the SHS drama club, Andy Mattox and Katelyn Collins, are both students in SSC's Theatre Department. Chilling Tales welcomes back Chris Clark and Art Hennessey, who have both been with this STC event since its inception. They also authored the original stories that will be heard during the performances, as well as acting.

STC would like to thank Dirk Isbrandtsen, owner of Capt's Waterfront Restaurant,Grill and Pub www.capts.com and Jim Hurrell, owner of the Witch Dungeon, New England Pirate Museum, and the Witch History Museum www.piratemuseum.com for sponsoring Chilling Tales this year.

The Friendship was reconstructed in 1998, as a way for the community to gain insight into Salem's important maritime history. The original Friendship traded goods from the Far East to Salem Harbor during the late 18th and 19th century. The cargo ship is currently maintained by the National Park Service and is part of Salem's Maritime National Historic Site. STC will be giving a portion of the proceeds from Chilling Tales to assist the Park Service with its year round maintenance and educational programming, enabling the public to explore and learn more about Salem's maritime history throughout the year.

For more information, call 978.790.8546 or visit www.salemtheatre.com.

The Salem Theatre Company is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the economic, cultural, and artistic quality of life in the Salem community through the performing arts and arts education outreach.

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