The Turn of the Screw at The Penny Seats Theatre Company

ANN ARBOR - The Penny Seats Theatre Company is thrilled to announce another first in its history: the setting of a spooky, psychological thriller inside a church, just in time for Halloween. Throughout the month of October, the group will present Henry James’s famous Victorian ghost story, The Turn of the Screw, in a recent adaptation by famed playwright and screenwriter, Jeffrey Hatcher, set in Ann Arbor’s own historic neo-gothic landmark, The First Congregational Church on the corner of State and William Streets. The single-act show runs a quick 70 minutes, and recounts the story of an impressionable young governess and her encounter with the odd people—and, perhaps, the ghosts—of a remote English manor. Hatcher’s clever, two-person adaptation is directed by established local director and actor, Julia Glander, and stars regional favorites Mary Dilworth, in the role of the governess, and Will Myers, as every other part in the play. Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, October 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, and 21. All shows are at 8:00pm. More information, and advance tickets ($12), are available at www.pennyseats.org or by phone at (734) 926-5346. Door tickets ($15) will also be available. Groups of 10 or more can buy discounted tickets for just $10 per seat. Glander expressed particular excitement about the place-based nature of this production: “This is an incredible location, a Victorian Gothic church in which the first cornerstone was laid in June, 1872, the same month and year that our story begins. Then, we add two terrific actors in tour-de-force performances who summon a ghostly, imaginative, ambiguous, lurid, downright creepy ‘Turn.’ As a result, this famously eerie tale becomes truly memorable. It’s a wonderful adaptation, with historical context; a psychological thriller for October, on campus!” Producer Lauren London, The Penny Seats’ Executive Director, added that “place-based productions are part of The Penny Seats’ DNA. We love to place our shows in locations that lend themselves particularly well to the story’s setting. That way, the environment enhances the audience experience, making it truly immersive. We can’t wait for people to experience this adaptation, in this space.” The Turn of the Screw is the last show of The Penny Seats’ 2017 season, and is suitable for ages 13+. Advance tickets are recommended.