Carpenter Square production is scary good thrill
A play about making a cheap horror movie was not only horribly funny, but serious and satirical enough to keep us guessing what would happen next.
“Slasher” by Allison Moore was given a rousing, a little bit raunchy performance, with just enough mock violence, at Carpenter Square Theatre, 800 W Main.
It was set in 2007 in the Austin, Texas, area in a rundown house, a slightly sleazy bar, a franchise drive-in and another house where the film was being made.
Peter Fischaber was just arrogant and edgy enough as its director, Marc Hunter, coming on to and casting a waitress at the bar in the “lead,” as last woman to die.
Clad in black, Fischaber came across as a man with an ax to grind — maybe not just on film — who has mortgaged his own home on the dubious project.
Jessica Bisel was sexy, vulnerable and self-serving as the waitress, taking the part with eyes wide open after getting higher pay and a piece of the profits.
Matthew Moreillon made a good sidekick, flunky and “assistant” to Hunter, ready to do anything to get his foot in the horror door, even replace the absent villain.
But it was Ashley Bower who nearly stole the show as the wannabestar’s mother, Frances, confined to a power wheelchair — or is she? — back in their decrepit home. An extreme feminist with a hatchet — if not an ax — to grind, plus a power drill, plans for munitions and an old grudge against the director, she came across as a ticking timebomb.
Hannah Youngblood supplied able support as the younger sister, Hildy, who sees the situation going badly wrong, but is too busy being a star student to do much to remedy it. Jessica Vanek also was hilarious in her multiple roles as an anti-abortion crusader, car hop, news reporter and horror movie victim (more than once), to name a few.
“Slasher” was briskly and intelligently directed by Terry Veal, with a finely tuned eye and ear, to make us both cringe and laugh out loud, almost at the same time.
Performed on a nearly bare set by Ben Hall, the well-written script, first staged at the 2009 Louisville Humana Festival, is highly recommended in its run through Nov. 3.
— John Brandenburg, for The Oklahoman