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The Hollywood Fringe Festival – Shows You Must Attend Part 2

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Written by Shannon McGrew

Earlier this week I posted my top immersive shows to check out at The Hollywood Fringe Festival, running from June 8-25. Today, in Part 2 of “Shows You Must Attend”, I highlight some of the amazing horror musicals and performances that are set to bring to life everything from 80s slasher tropes, vampires, werewolves and more!

Slashed! The Musical

Synopsis: Welcome to Camp Doom! Er, we mean Camp Freedom… Slashed! The Musical is a musical comedy love-letter to the classic 80s Summer Camp Slasher Genre. Featuring a cast of characters that you know and love – but with a twist – and original songs inspired by 1980s Top 40 radio. Slashed! will have audiences laughing and screaming from beginning until the very bloody end.

Being familiar with the work of those involved in this play, I can say with confidence that this is going to be a show you don’t want to miss. Who doesn’t like 80s horror cliches combined with musicals? As long as there are buckets and buckets of blood, I fully believe that audiences will be in for a real treat.

For more information on “Slashed! The Musical” visit their Facebook page. For tickets to their event at the Hollywood Fringe Festival click HERE.

Monster Beautiful: The Musical (An Interactive Horror Show)

Synopsis: A Horror Musical is the dark and ominous tale of Professor Sven, a down and out College Professor with a horrible secret. To his peers, his wife and his students, he is a forgettable, introverted, workaholic nitwit. But little do they know, Sven is on the brink of a scientific innovation that he must keep hidden from the world, the secret to life itself! Through the cover of the night, Sven collects the freshest and shapeliest of body parts to create his masterpiece. But his creation is missing its most vital piece: the perfect mind. Fortunately for Sven, he has found that final piece to his macabre patchwork of death attached to the subject of his hidden infatuation, his protege and student, Ruthie. With his greatest achievement nearly complete, Sven must choose between his life’s work and his love for his young and passionate pupil.

Fans of Frankenstein that want to see a modern re-telling of Mary Shelley’s classic horror novel will find plenty of interests in this performance. There is only one showing of “Monster Beautiful” so make sure to get tickets fast before they sell out!

For more information on “Monster Beautiful” visit their Facebook page. For tickets to their event at the Hollywood Fringe Festival click HERE.

So You Want to be a Vampire

Synopsis: Brenda Frank is so desperate to be turned into a vampire that she actually finds one, but some vampires desire more than blood. “So You Want to be a Vampire” is a very dark comedy about a woman who will stop at nothing to escape the brutal mundanity of her mortal life and be turned into a creature of the night.

Vampires seem to be popular this year at The Hollywood Fringe Festival, and from the social media marketing that this team has put out recently via Instagram, I have to say I’m more than a little intrigued with whats going to unfold during this production.

For more information on “So You Want to be a Vampire” visit their website at www.oshadows.org/vampire. For tickets to their event at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, click HERE.

Nothing Bad: A Werewolf Rock Musical

Synopsis: Deep inside each human a Beast waits to be born – in claws, teeth and violence. Society represses it, terrified of any who succumb. Rebels embrace the edge of it, calling forth its power while avoiding its burn. In an instant of survival, one woman will be transformed by it, split into two pieces – and the battle for control of her body, mind and soul will begin. Vengeance, violence and victimization will all become fuel for a battle of epic proportions. No one is safe from the slaughter to come.

I’ll be the first to admit that werewolves aren’t really my thing, but there’s something about this synopsis that grabbed my attention. Maybe because it’s a rock musical, maybe because it’s a woman who transforms into the beast, I’m not sure what it is. Regardless, from what I understand, this is a hell of a show and one that I’m excitedly looking forward to.

For tickets to their event at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, click HERE.

Nosferatu, A Symphony in Terror

Synopsis: From the fervent mind of Bram Stoker’s Dracula…filtered through the lens of Friedrich Marunau…comes an experience so unique that you will remember it for the rest of your life. Nosferatu takes the audience on an unforgettable voyage from the world we know to the exotic and mysterious ends of our own imaginations.

Once again, we are back in the vampire territory, but this time with the grand daddy of them all, Nosferatu. I don’t know much about this show, but I do have a deep appreciation for Nosferatu and his story and I look forward to seeing a unique take on this ancient being.

For more information on “Nosferatu, a Symphony in Terror” visit their website at crowncitytheatre.com. For tickets to their event at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, click HERE.

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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