BWW Previews: GOOSEBUMPS: PHANTOM OF THE AUDITORIUM, THE MUSICAL at Aurora Theatre

Lawrenceville's Aurora Theatre brings to life the frightening and much loved Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine in a musical sure to spook audiences with its silly and suspenseful story. After a successful run of field trip performances with Aurora Theatre's Learning Library, the Aurora invites the public to share in the family-friendly mystery during a limited engagement October 19-22.

The power and terror of R.L. Stine's writing has been transformed into a musical with book and lyrics by John Maclay and music and lyrics by Danny Abosch. The production, that was originally co-comissioned by First Stage Children's Theater and Oregon Children's Theater in 2016, makes its Atlanta debut at the Aurora.

The book on which the musical is based, The Phantom of the Auditorium, has charmed and scared readers since its publication in 1994. The story follows Zeke Matthews and Brooke Rogers whose school play is rumored to be cursed. The two set out to discover whether or not the strange happenings are coincidence or if something more sinister is at work. If the storyline sounds similar to THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, it is no coincidence. It's been said that the characters of Brooke and Zeke are the middle school equivalents of Christine Daae and Raoul de Chagny. Together the pair uncovers the secrets of the Phantom of the Auditorium and attempts to stage the haunted show that has been thwarted before.

The Aurora's production is under the direction of Jaclyn Hofmann with musical direction by Ann-Carol Pence, Aurora's Co-Founder/Associate Producer. It stars Yuka Sekine, who made her Aurora debut in THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, as Brooke and Branden Cleveland, who-like Sekine-is a member of the Aurora's Apprentice Company, as Zeke. Other members of the Apprentice Company Meg Harkins, Morganne Evans, and Russell Alexander star alongside Sekine and Cleveland. Marcie Millard and Timothy Whitson round out the cast as Ms. Walker and Emile, respectively.

Tickets for the limited engagement of GOOSBUMPS: THE PHANTOM OF THE AUDITORIUM, THE MUSICAL are available online here and at the Aurora box office.

[L-R] Meg Harkins, Marcie Millard, Morganne Evans, Branden Cleveland, Yuka Sekine, & Timothy Whitson Photo by Chris Bartelski

[L-R] Marcie Millard, Branden Cleveland, & Yuka Sekine Photo by Chris Bartelski

[L-R] Timothy Whitson, Branden Cleveland, Morganne Evans, & Yuka Sekine Photo by Chris Bartelski