by Michael Buzzelli
Things that go bump in the night can sometimes inspire laughter. That is certainly the case at Arcade Comedy Theater’s spooky new show for the Halloween season, “Night of the Moth Man.”
Inspired by a tabletop Dungeons and Dragons-style game, the titular Night of the Moth Man, Gamemaster (John Feightner) leads four actor/improvisers (playing nerds from a sleepy, little hamlet) on a quest to find their hidden candy and avoid the mysterious cryptids (legendary local monsters) from killing them all.
When Butch (Feightner) steals their Halloween candy, he tells them he’ll return it if they spend the night in the creepy old Johnson cabin in the woods, the kids, dressed in their Halloween costumes, accept the challenge and head out.
The Halloween costumes become essential right away. The trick-or-treaters, one dressed as a skeleton (Paul Fields), a Frankenstein person (Regina Connolly), a devil girl (Kendall White), and a mummy (Tal Kroser), enter a mysterious mist that imbues them with the powers of their costumes.
When creepy cryptids arrive, the players must roll D&D dice to survive the game.
Side note: Pittsburgh-based designer Eamon McNamee designed the game.
Watching the improvisers solve the challenges in fun and unique ways is most of the fun. The adlibs are hilarious.
The show, produced by Connor McCanlus (currently playing Riff Raff in “The Rocky Horror Show” down the street and around the corner from Arcade Comedy Theater, a very different funny and spooky show), was devised from the board game. McCanlus takes all of the frightening elements, but ramps up comedic elements, picking the talented cast, and designing some of the other elements (because it’s an improv show, directing just isn’t the right word).
As Gamemaster, Feightner plays all of the ancillary characters, a local firefighter with a crush, a bully, and a variety of woodland-dwelling monsters. He excels at it.
Each of the actors garners huge laughs because these kids say the darndest things! Kroser’s meek mummy was a particular highlight.
Up in the booth, Technical Director Aaron Tarnow works the lights and sound. Tarnow projects digital D&D dice when players roll, so the audience can clearly see the results. The audience would “ooh” and “aww” over each role. Every toss determines a different outcome. It’s easy to get invested when White, Connolly, Fields and Kroser are so delightfully engaging.
“Night of the Moth Man” is a three-night episodic event running through October. A brief recap and this review will give you all you need to know if you wish to see the remaining episodes.
If you want something spooky, but not gory and gross, head downtown for this entertaining and surprising new Halloween-themed show.
-MB
“Night of the Moth Man” runs two more nights, Fridays, October 24th (episode two) and 31st (episode 3) at the Arcade Comedy Theater, 943 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. If you would like more information, please click here.
