Twin Cities Horror Festival XII: Final Review from Day Seven Shadows Under Wabasha

This will be my final posting for this years Twin Cities Horror Festival (TCHF) and with this review I have successfully seen and reviewed each of the 11 shows. It’s been a great year; there have been laughs, thrills, and some real gross-out moments. I encourage you to get out and see as many shows as you can, but be warned, you need to purchase your tickets ahead of time. Already what is arguably the best show of the festival, Rasputin, has sold out it’s remaining performances. Shows are selling out right and left this year, which is great for the festival and artists, but puts us audiences in danger of missing out. Don’t miss out!! For more information check out the Festivals website at https://www.tchorrorfestival.com/ and to purchase tickets go to https://tix.gobo.show/festival/tchfxii

Shadows Under Wabasha by Kyle Dekker and Jacob Gulliver draws on the history of The Wabasha Street Caves and St Paul’s colorful past of criminal leniency. The show makes much better use of the studio space than Lock-in was able to, any seat should afford you a view of all the action, though beware of the splash zone! If you’re one that enjoys some blood with your TCHF, this show opens a few veins and will not disappoint any vampires in the audience. Of the cast the standout is Ileri Okikiolu as Haggins, a WWI vet who is part of a heist gone wrong that results in the four criminal partners trapped in one of the caves after the entrance collapses. Okikiolu has a presence that commands your attention and Bridget Foy as Bertinelli gives a solid performance as well as the clear headed but alcoholic leader of the gang. The script has the basis for a solid show though it does gets a little muddled towards the end. The building of tensions between the trapped men could be better modulated as the show seems to devolve into its bloody resolution rather than build to it. This one has some nice costumes and fun props and set design with its faux exposed brick walls, and a lesson in how to utilize that Studio space.

For some behind the scenes information about the TCHF listen to season 2 episode 5 of the Twin cities Theater Chat podcast https://twincitiestheaterchat.buzzsprout.com/2150807/13763195

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I am also a member of the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers (TCTB), where you can read roundups of shows by my colleagues and I when you follow us on facebook @TwinCitiesTheaterBloggers. We also produce the podcast Twin Cities Theater Chat!! which you can access through this link or wherever you enjoy podcasts https://twincitiestheaterchat.buzzsprout.com/ . We post biweekly longer form episodes that will focus on interviews and discussions around theater topics. There is also shorter episodes in which we Bloggers tell you what we think you should get out and see as well as what we have on our schedules that we are most looking forward too.