Quannapowitt Players 'House on Haunted Hill:' A Spooktacular Delight

Are you sure it’s only us in this house tonight?

Quannapowitt Players present The House on Haunted Hill, the first show of its latest season. Adapted from the 1959 movie, a wealthy eccentric invites five strangers to spend a night in his mansion for a promising reward. As the night unfolds, the guests encounter supernatural events, learning the chilling secrets behind this mansion.

I was sitting on the edge of my seat as I watched this commendable production unfold. Quannapowitt Players’ The House on Haunted Hill is a well-acted, well-directed, and eerily fantastic production. I felt like I was watching a horror movie. This night of capers and revelations teaches everyone to confront their pasts and live without regrets.

A talented cast of actors leads House on Haunted Hill, and the performances from everyone are engrossing; they truly become their characters. Each actor delivers incredible dialogue with passionate conviction. I was engrossed the entire time while watching the group do scenes together. The dynamics are so compelling in each character interaction.

Frederick Lauren (Adam Heroux), an eccentric millionaire and narrator of the story, is charming and sly. He asks, "Who can you trust?" as he playfully deceives the characters. Heroux and Chris Reynolds (Annabelle Lauren) are one big sarcasm war as the couple stabs at any insult they can.

Amanda Bruce’s performance as Nina Meers is captivating, embodying her character’s shy nature. Nina’s past helps the situation, lifting burdens and finding closure. Another highlight of the evening is Michaela Zullo as Cassidy Bowman. She does an outstanding job with her character and dialogue.

Bridget Hoartey (Ruth Bridges), Philip Curcuro (Dr. David Trent), Will Thompson (Lance Shroeder), and Zac Lambert (Watson Pritchard) all excelled in their interactions. The group clicked well together, creating some rather humorous moments.

Mother-daughter duo, Angela Courtney Rossi (Rebecca) and Maddi Rossi (Young Rebecca), share the stage. No small part exists in the theater. Barbara Bourgeois (Eleanor Slides) and Ken Tucci (Mr. Slides) play two quiet, elderly servants. Bourgeois and Tucci’s voiceover at the beginning of the show is a riot!

Director Mark Rolli has an eye for the thriller genre. Every subtle touch in his direction immerses audiences into the story. He spent an incredible time with the cast on building their characters and dynamics. Scenes are directed with precision, crafting a horror ambiance that is genuinely scary at times.

Credit goes to the tech team for their wonderful work. Without them, the horror ambiance would be missing. It’s amazing what Quannapowitt Players does to transform its black box theater into new settings. Rolli’s set design brings out the gothic ambiance in the story. In just one room, there are three locations: the living room, a stairway leading to a bedroom, and a dark hallway. It’s impressive!

The exceptional lighting work by Bruce Pennypacker creates flashes of lightning in a storm and then dims them in the show’s dark moments. Ian Bason creates horrifying sounds with doors creaking and ghostly whispers (which give me shivers). Karen Burum designs obscenely realistic makeup effects in a couple of scenes, making audiences jump when characters appear.

Quannapowitt Players’ House on Haunted Hill is so authentic that it made me feel like a guest in this haunted house. I will never forget the audience reaction. With all the twists and turns came audible gasps from the audience. I definitely wasn’t expecting many of the jump scares. Just as a general warning to parents, young audiences may find the show scary.

The House on Haunted Hill is a drama delight. For anyone who is a horror fan, this is a show to witness in October. The show plays at Quannapowitt Players now through October 11. Better get your tickets now before the ghosts take them all!