Return to the Twilight Zone October 16, 2009

RETURN TO THE TWILIGHT ZONE (Volume 7),

TCL REPRISES STAGE PARODY OF CLASSIC TV SHOW

The Theater Company of Lafayette (TCL) presents an all new Return to the Twilight Zone, a parody of the classic 1950s television show, from October 16 – November 7. With comic stage renditions of three popular episodes, campy take-offs on vintage commercials, and trivia contests. This is the 6th time that TCL has reprised this hugely popular format.

TCL’s Artistic Director Madge Montgomery says, “We’re especially excited this year, since it’s the 50th anniversary of The Twilight Zone’s 1959 debut. It's a nostalgic celebration that can be enjoyed by everyone, whether they’ve ever seen an episode from the original series or not. The show’s a part of our popular culture; its theme song and its creator, Rod Serling, are instantly recognizable. We preserve the great storytelling while poking a bit of fun at this cultural signpost.”

This year’s episodes are:

· “Nothing in the Dark” (directed by Ian Gerber): an old woman fears that Mr. Death has come knocking. Will she let him in?

· “A Piano in the House” (directed by Don Thumim): a venomous theater critic purchases a magical player piano that has the power to reveal the secrets of all who hear it; and

· “The Howling Man” (directed by Bill Graham): A visitor to a monastery encounters a strange shrieking prisoner. Is he the devil or just an innocent man, wrongly imprisoned?

Ian Gerber is delighted to be playing the role of Rod Serling for the third time. “Everyone says I look and sound just like Serling,” he says. “It’s a bit eerie, but I guess that’s fitting for The Twilight Zone.”

In a special guest appearance, Colorado Theater Guild General Manager Gloria Shanstrom will act in the Bold detergent commercial on Friday, October 30.

A portion of the proceeds of the production will go to the Rod Serling Memorial Foundation, which preserves the legacy of Serling through a variety of projects, including educational scholarships. “We’ve donated money to the Foundation several times in the past,” says Montgomery. “They’re thrilled with what we’re doing and with the contributions we’ve made.”

Performances of Return to the Twilight Zone are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. from October 16 – November 7, with Sunday matinees on October 25 and November 1 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $10-$15 and are available by calling the Box Office at 720-209-2154 or online at www.TCLStage.org.

All performances are at the historic Mary Miller Theater, 300 E. Simpson Street, Lafayette.