Carrie Powell

Asaykwee’s ‘Scary Scary’ silly silly fun fun

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By John Lyle Belden

The artistic treasure that is performer and playwright Ben Asaykwee has taken the inherent absurdity of spooky urban legends and run them through the funhouse mirror that is campy 1980s pop culture for his latest presentation, “Scary Scary.”

Having lived through that era, when the over-the-top slasher film had its day (though often ending up on the direct-to-videotape shelves), I can tell you there was more to the 80s than goofy lingo and bad hair – but those are the easiest parts to have fun with, so just stick with that (and stories of mysterious landline phone calls and hook-handed maniacs and more) – as Asaykwee, with co-conspirators Carrie Powell, Ryan Powell, Kallen Ruston, Georgeanna Smith Wade, and Noah R. Winston, sing, dance, and reenact these horrific-ish scenes.

The acting is frantic and off-kilter, with a sort of improvised feel, enhanced by wild wigs, mimed gestures, audience encounters, and actors calling out anachronisms – “Did you try calling Star-69?” “That’s a ‘90s thing!”

Performances are held in appropriately close quarters with the audience seated up on the roomy stage of the Basile Theatre of the Athenaeum, so beware: THE LAUGHTER IS COMING FROM ON THE STAGE.

As for the guy with the hook hand? Nobody’s been able to find him.

Anyway, for a surprisingly all-ages campy take on stories you might hear at camp (by flashlight), you have two more chances to see “Scary Scary,” 7:30 and 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Athenaeum, 401 E. Michigan St., Indianapolis. For tickets, visit athenaeumindy.org.

IndyFringe: Sweet Dreams, Pillowman

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This is part of IndyFringe 2022, Aug. 18-Sept. 4 (individual performance times vary) in downtown Indianapolis. Details and tickets at IndyFringe.org.

By Wendy Carson

Monique (Audrey Stonerock) is literally a hot mess. Her apartment is a wreck, her hygiene is questionable at best, her cat has run away in disgust and her only companions are a trio of singing rats (Chelsea Mullen, Carrie Powell, and Maria Meschi). Is it any wonder she has begun talking to the pile of pillows and blankets next to her?

She has also started to imagine hearing a strange male voice from somewhere. Is it the rats playing a trick on her or something more sinister?

When she discovers that there is indeed a Pillowman (voiced and puppetted by Zachariah Stonerock), she is frightened at first, but then begins to deal with this manifestation. As is often the case, her visitor is here to help her work through the issues that have brought her to this place in her life.

In “Sweet Dreams, Pillowman*,” presented by American Lives Theatre, many hard truths are explored, but catharsis (and oranges) win out in the end.

Personally, I feel that J. E. Hibbard’s script makes a perfect Fringe show. The characters are interesting, the story is charming, it lulls you into a false sense of whimsy and then hits your emotional buttons (without going overboard).

Experience the sweetness 7:15 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday, Aug. 26-27, on the Indy Eleven stage at the IndyFringe Theatre.

(*This play has nothing to do with the much-darker drama “The Pillowman” by Martin McDonagh; though if you do find a production of that one, be sure to check it out.)