The Misfit Theatre Group has its own niche, presenting shadow cast, horror productions with its next performances scheduled for Feb. 5 and 6.
In a shadow cast performance, the actors are lip-syncing to a film live onstage. While they may not be using their own voices, they are providing an entire show experience complete with costumes, exuberant performing, audience participation sometimes, and “splattervision,” according to its director Robert Seawell.
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“It’s lip-synced to perfection; the actors are emotionally involved. It’s not different from seeing a play,” he said.
The troupe has been around since 2003, starting as a group wanting to recreate “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” live. That production is a mainstay of the group, which has performed at various locations around town since its inception. The group’s most recent home is Pexcho’s Dime Museum.
Over the years, Seawell has added different productions with recent performances of shows like “Sweeney Todd” and “Little Shop of Horrors.”
The next production will be “Repo! The Genetic Opera” tribute.
Like “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “Repo! The Genetic Opera” has a cult following. Made in 2008, it’s a science fiction, gothic rock opera. Set during the mid-21st century, the show is about a company that provides organ transplants at a hefty price. If people miss their payments, the repo man comes to call.
“I saw it and immediately thought I needed to stage it,” he said.
That’s where the splattervision comes in. Audience members seated nearest the stage are advised to wear a poncho or clothes they don’t mind getting stained because they are likely to get splattered with fake blood, said Seawell.
If Misfit Theatre Group performances were films, they’d get an “R” rating, according to Seawell. As such, he doesn’t recommend them for people younger than 18.
“Repo! The Genetic Opera” will be performed at Pexcho’s American Dime Museum at 216 6th Street in downtown Augusta. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, seating will be limited to half capacity. Masks will be required, and social distancing will be observed. Seawell recommends getting tickets in advance.
He said the group performed “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” in October under COVID-19 restrictions, and it went well.
The doors will open at 8 p.m., with the show beginning at 9 p.m. Tickets are $25 and available at pexcho.simpletix.com/e/62559.
Seawell said he hopes to have another production in the spring or early summer but hasn’t made a decision on which show yet. Also, he hopes to have a full production of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” in October.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the features editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
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