Surprises galore in spooky Reduxion play for Halloween

by Rob Howard
Associate Editor

For a spooky, spine tingling Halloween experience, you can’t do better than Reduxion Theatre’s The Woman in Black. “If you are in the mood for a scary movie, this is better because it is on its feet in front of you,” says Tonia Sina, the Director of the production.

The play is similar to a movie by the same name, which starred Daniel Radcliffe. Sina describes the play: “It is similar to the movie, but better. What’s unique is you don’t see a lot of scary theatre. It’s not often that you can have a play that spooks the audience the way a movie can. 

“How can you tell a story in a live theatre format that can spook the audience better than a movie can? It’s better because it is live, and not through the protection of a screen.”

The horror mystery takes place in the Victorian era. Arthur Kipps, an attorney, is trying to settle the estate of an elderly recluse when he is visited by a terrifying figure in black. The experience so unnerves him that he seeks the help of an actor and a theater to reenact the experience, and put it behind him.

The Woman in Black is the second longest running play on London’s West End. There is no spoiler alert in this article, because Sina carefully avoided much detail. She says, “It’s a play where you can’t give away the secrets, so we are trying to keep the details a little less public. The less the audience knows, the better it is for them when they come see it.”

“It’s a two man show, with 10 characters. Some are not actually there – or are they?” says Sina.

The play is full of special effects, orchestrated by Sina and her Assistant Director, Jeana Forman-Gering. Tyler Woods plays Kipps, and Matthew Ellis is The Actor. Woods, who founded Reduxion with his wife Erin, was the long-time Artistic Director at the theatre company, before Sina came on board in that position, and Woods moved up to Executive Director. “He’s really excited about being on stage again,” said Sina.

Technical staff includes Mitchell Laflin, Lighting; Chris Evans, Set designer; Isaiah Werner, Sound; Michael Lee, who is composing the music for the play; and Jeffrey Meek, Costumes.

The company performs in the OKC Civic Center Freede Little Theatre, which Sina says is perfect for a play that is supposed to be presented in an older, West End theater. “I’m excited to work with two well established equity actors and a good design team to put on this dark play,” she says. 

“I like spooky movies and I love Halloween. I’m excited to do this for Oklahoma City because there isn’t a lot of Halloween type theatre here. And I’m excited to see how the audience takes the surprises that come.”

The play opens October 14, and runs through October 29. Tickets are $35 with discounts for students and seniors, and may be purchased online at www.okcciviccenter.com, by phone at (405) 297-2264, or in person at the Civic Center box office, 201 N. Walker Ave., in downtown OKC. The play is not recommended for children 12 and under.

Copyright The Gayly - 10/12016 @ 8:19 a.m. CDT.