Producer Combines Audio and Visual Staging "As Darkness Falls"
BY VINCENT DANGOLOVICH
COPY EDITOR
VVlDsoo6@Psu.Enu
to perform at PSH last Thursday.
As Darkness Falls, created by John C. Alsedek combines
minimalist costuming, props and staging of a dramatic
reading with the sound effects of an old time radio drama.
The two featured episodes of Thursday's performance
included "An Ungentle Wager," in which a jaded soap
opera star makes a dangerous bet with a young ingenue,
and "Madeline's Veil," in which a jazz singer exacts a
mysterious revenge on her gangster fiancé and murderer.
Writer/director John Alsedek, the son of Open Stage
of Harrisburg founders Don & Anne Alsedek, used local
talent in casting the Thursdarnight performance. Among
them were professors Jennie Adams and Kelli Kauterman
Eberlein of PSH, as well as Dave Olmsted of Hacc
theaterworks.
Following the show, Alsedek complimented his cast
following an outburst of "it was awesome" from an
anonymous audience member.
"I live in LA," said Alsedek, "you'd be surprised how
you find more good actors here. (Tut thereitiiire ;
interested in being stars."
As questions flowed from the crowd, Alsedek explained
his roots and his reasons for the format of the production.
After being raised in a theater family, he got a degree in
Journalism which, as he states, proceeded not to use.
Instead, he used a childhood love of anthology shows
like Night Gallery and The Twilight Zone to write his own.
There are currently seven episodes of what he calls "a
work in progress." The combined radio and stage drama
presentation stemmed from a lack of funding to create a
full stage or television production. Alsedek and actress
Dana Hayes turn theaters and college campuses with the
show.
Prof. McCormick became interested in bringing the show
to PSH in October when the show was performed at the
Gamut Theater of Harrisburg's Harrisburg Shakespeare
Festival group. The combined styles were a reminder of
the past crossing into the future of media.
"Convergence as a principal is definitely out there," said
The Captimes wanted to know what
you're doing on spring break. Here's
what a few students said:
"I will be staying a Middletown over spring break. I will
probably we having rehearsal everyday for,.the spring
Communications
Prof. Catherine Ann
McCormick invited
a horror anthology
production
tal Times
THE CAPITAL TIMES
McCormick
Others were less enthused' about As Darkness Falls.
"The actors were good, the rest was not," commented
grad. student Mary Warner, 24.
She and fellow audience member, Matt Toth, 25,
mentioned the preientation seemed muddled by a
confusion of styles. Actors standing in front of speaking
characters and unsynchronized sound and actions were, to
them, distracting. The theater errors also highlighted the
fact that the show was written for one form but forced into
a "lazy hybrid."
Never the less, Alsedek's production received warm
praise from Thtzday's audience.
"Everyone has been so nice here," said actress Dana
Hayes. "They can be some mean at other campuses."
Both Alsedek and Hayes were grateful for the opportunity
to perform at PSH and for the aid of the Capital Players in
providing sound and lighting for the event. When asked
if he would return for another show, Alsedek, the former
Harrisburg native answered quickly:
"Of course, it's home."
man on the street
Amy Kirby
"Take it easy. Catch up on sleep. It's kind of all up in
the air right now".
March 3 2010
Above: The death scene
Below: Lori Meyers and Jennie Adams
Dave Olmsted as Vincent Basso, Kelli Kauterman Eberlein
as Dolores and Dana Hayes
Jordyn McCrady
"I'll be staying here, doing rehearsal, and probably
working every day".