Festival Frights and Delights: A Look Back at the Festival’s Spookiest Shows
By Katie Neves, guest writer
With Halloween upon us, the Utah Shakespeare Festival is looking back on decades of spine-tingling performances. Over the last 63 seasons, the Festival has bewitched audiences with horrors and thrills: ghostly tales, psychological thrillers, and dark comedies that tread the fine line between laughter and fear. Here’s a look at 13 of the spookiest non-Shakespeare productions that have haunted the Festival stages, chilling audiences and keeping them on the edge of their seats.
Blithe Spirit—1992, 2004
For the first entry on our list, look no further than Blithe Spirit—a play so nice we did it twice! One of Noel Coward’s most popular plays, Blithe Spirit is the farcical story of Charles Condomine, a writer who accidentally summons the ghost of his deceased first wife. Hilarity ensues as the ghost disrupts Charles’ life and second marriage.
Directed by Philip Killian in 1992, then Paul Barnes in 2004, Blithe Spirit is a show that left Festival audiences in stitches each time. This playful exploration of love and death proves that some spirits are just too lively to stay gone.I
Arsenic and Old Lace—2001
Of course, it’s not just ghosts that can tickle our funny bone—murder may too! At least according to Joseph Kesselring’s classic farce, Arsenic and Old Lace. The play follows Mortimer Brewster as he uncovers a shocking family secret: his sweet, elderly aunts are serial killers. In what they call “acts of mercy,” these sinister spinsters have been poisoning all the lonely old men who visit their home.
Longtime Festival favorite J.R. Sullivan directed the Festival production, bringing out both the warmth and the twisted humor in this chilling comedy. This production showcased the fine line between family and madness that makes Arsenic and Old Lace a timeless classic.
Little Shop of Horrors—2003
Nothing says spooky fun like a man-eating plant from outer space, a sadistic dentist, and a series of grisly murders. Menken and Ashman’s Little Shop of Horrors follows Seymour, a down-on-his-luck florist who finds a mysterious plant with an unquenchable thirst for human blood. The plant grows, Seymour quickly loses control, and audiences are left with a grim—and catchy—reminder: “Don’t Feed the Plants!”
Directed by Paul Barnes, Little Shop of Horrors was an audience favorite. With its catchy songs and dark premise, this unforgettable show had viewers dancing, laughing, and maybe keeping a closer eye on their houseplants.
The Mousetrap—2007
The longest-running play in theater history, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap is a classic murder mystery. With characters trapped in a snowbound manor, a killer hidden among them, and a twist ending that audiences are urged to keep secret, this whodunit keeps audiences guessing until the final revelation.
Directed by longtime Festival music director Brad Carroll, The Mousetrap brought Christie’s signature suspense to life, captivating audiences with a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat experience.
Gaslight—2008
Psychological tension reaches new heights in Patrick Hamilton’s Gaslight, a gripping thriller that has audiences questioning their own sense of reality. The play follows the unsettling story of Mrs. Manningham, who begins to doubt her own sanity as her husband tries to convince her she’s losing her mind. As he subtly raises and lowers the gaslights, the audience shares in Mrs. Manningham’s fear and uncertainty.
J.R. Sullivan’s production had Festival audiences biting their nails with its intense revelations and eerie atmosphere. This story is a haunting reminder of the power of manipulation, leaving viewers haunted by the psychological thrills long after the curtain falls.
The Woman in Black—2009
In this adaptation of Susan Hill’s novel, Arthur Kipps encounters a series of terrifying events while settling the estate of a deceased woman in a remote village. As he recounts his haunting experiences to an actor, the line between reality and performance blurs, drawing audiences into a world of suspense and supernatural terror.
Directed by Carole Healey, The Woman in Black captivated Festival audiences with its chilling story and haunting special effects. This classic ghost story is an eerie reminder of the ways the past haunts the present.
The 39 Steps—2010, 2024
Everyone knows Hitchcock is the king of horror—which makes the slapstick farce of The 39 Steps all the more delightful. This play spoofs Hitchcock’s classic suspense techniques, plunging audiences into a whirlwind of comedy and zany hijinks. Following the misadventures of Richard Hannay, an ordinary man who gets caught in a mysterious murder plot, the story takes audiences on a fast-paced journey through cinema history.
The Festival’s 2010 production, directed by Eli Simon, was incredibly popular—so popular that we brought it back last year! The 2024 production was directed by Aaron Galligan-Stierle, who played one of the Clowns in 2010. With both shows, the hilarious antics and quick character changes had audiences roaring with laughter.
Dial “M” for Murder—2011
Frederick Knott’s suspenseful thriller follows the scheming Tony Wendice. After learning his wife, Margot, has been unfaithful, he contrives a complicated plot to murder her—and thus inherit her enormous fortune. However, as the story unfolds, Tony’s plan unravels. The suspenseful twists and turns keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
Directed by Brian Vaughn, the Festival’s production captivated viewers with its intense performances and masterful suspense. This thrilling tale of betrayal and deceit is a chilling reminder of how far people can go for wealth and revenge.
Dracula—2015
Everyone knows Dracula—Bram Stoker’s classic villain, practically the mascot of Halloween. In Steven Dietz’ adaptation of the original novel, we follow Lucy and Mina—two women who get caught up in the supernatural mystery of Count Dracula. With the help of Abraham Van Helsing, an expert on vampirism, the protagonists desperately try to stop Dracula—and save the countless lives trapped in his clutches.
The Festival’s 2015 production was directed by Jesse Berger. With an emphasis on eerie lighting, projections, and haunting sound design, this iconic monster story came to life and left audiences with an unforgettable look into the macabre world of the undead.
Murder for Two—2016
If you thought The 39 Steps had a small cast, wait until you see the dynamic duo in Murder for Two! This hilarious musical mystery, written by Kellen Blair and Joe Kinosian, features just two actors. One plays the determined detective, and the other plays all the suspects. As the detective works to solve the murder, audiences are treated to a whirlwind of catchy songs and unforgettably quirky characters.
Directed by Brad Carroll, the Festival’s production was a zany romp through a classic whodunit-style story. With a perfect blend of humor and intrigue, Murder for Two is a delightful reminder that sometimes, less is more.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street—2022
Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd is considered a masterpiece of modern musical theatre. From the brilliant operatic music to the Shakespearean drama of the characters, Sweeney Todd is an unforgettable theatrical experience. After losing his wife and daughter to the villainous Judge Turpin, Sweeney loses his mind and vows revenge on mankind. With the help of his neighbor, Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney wages a war against the city of London, slaughtering his customers and (spoiler!) turning them into meat pies.
Brad Carroll brought his years of musical experience to this production, creating a haunting atmosphere that perfectly matched Sondheim’s score. With incredible performances by J. Michael Bailey and Bree Murphy, this show balanced dark humor with chilling intensity, plunging the audience into Sweeney’s twisted world of vengeance.
Clue—2022
Sandy Rustin’s Clue is a hilarious whodunit that feels very familiar to most audiences. Based on the cult classic film (and the Hasbro board game!), Clue takes place during a dinner party. When the host is mysteriously murdered, each guest suddenly becomes a suspect. Full of slapstick comedy and unexpected twists, this play invites audiences to piece together clues while enjoying all the zany antics.
Directed by Hunter Foster, the Festival’s production featured a talented ensemble that skillfully balanced the comedy and the intrigue. Sharp eyes in the audience might have noticed the portraits on the walls, all featuring USF founder Fred C. Adams. This romp through a beloved classic proves that sometimes, a little humor is the best way to deal with life’s most puzzling mysteries.
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder—2025
Next year, the Festival will continue its long tradition of frights and delights with Lutvak and Freedman’s award-winning musical, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. Based on the novel Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal by Roy Horniman, this show tells the story of Monty Navarro—a man who learns that he is 9th in line to inherit a huge fortune. In his quest for wealth and love, Monty goes on a comedic spree to “off” the eight heirs standing in his way.
A perfect blend of humor and horror, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder will be the perfect addition to the Festival’s spooky lineup. And what better way to cap off this year’s Halloween season than to buy next year’s tickets? For more information, click here.
