“A Night At The Theater: The Tomb Of Count Gangrene”

by Terrence Cain

Last semester I saw the very first play I had seen since I was a child in elementary school. For those of you who don't know, that was some twenty years ago for me so that would mean I was around nine or so. Anyway, that play was called Sylvia. It was a fantastic little play put on by Howard College of Big Spring's acting teacher, Kirk Davidson. It was inventive, it was funny—and sad—and it gave me a passion for plays that I never thought I would have. Well I just saw another play this Hallow's Eve called The Tomb Of Count Gangrene put on yet again by Howard College's Kirk Davidson.

So let me put a little atmosphere down for you first. When I walked into the Hall Center For The Arts I was greeted by numerous attendees who were all waiting in little groups of four or five to see the play. There were even a few who decided that they'd get in on the fun by dressing up. I did so a little myself. I wore a black shirt, slacks and shoes, and a very red tie. The tie kinda has that paint red look to it that you see in old Hammer horror films from the 1960s that they want you to think is blood but you know all too well that it is just paint. Yeah, they hadn't perfected blood scenes really until the late 1970s.

Okay, so we're all waiting in the front just outside the play room. As we were all waiting I decided to look down the hall leading to the play room where I was able to see a white plastic sheet with blood splatter patterns that looked like they were silk stained into the plastic. On top of the sheet were some plastic—or maybe they were made of plaster of paris—bones laying in various spots all over the plastic sheet. It was laid out like a long rug waiting for royalty to walk down it. My first thought was; “Finally! Someone is getting into the holiday spirit and they're not trying to be all trampy about it!” I'm sorry to say, but Halloween was way more spooky and frightening when I was growing up. Nowadays all you see is women dressing up like hookers and men dressing up like they're at some disco. Yeah, we've definitely have to get back to the scary side of Halloween, folks.

So as I looked on I saw a big bat hanging from the ceiling just above the entrance to the hall that leads to the play room. I also saw one of the ushers who was carrying an old lantern with a lit candle, which I thought was pretty cool. As they walked us into the play room some of the actors from the play were at the door hamming it up for the audience; trying to do their best to get the crowd all psyched up for the play. As I sat down in the front row I looked over the painted black set. I loved all the decorations they had there. From the bloody foot and hand prints on the floor, and some hand prints on doors and glass, to the stag on the wall covered in spider webs. It was all fantastically horrifying. I loved the fireplace as well with the skull inside and the big fat chain going in a half circle shape in front of the fireplace. Above the set was a big pinata-like spider hanging from a rope. They even had sheets covering two sets of one kind of chair. What I mean by that is there were two chairs that were of the exact same design.

So I'm starting to get a little psyched up and ready for the spooky and terrifying fun of this play called The Tomb Of Count Gangrene. As the play begins a character named Ghoulardi [played by veteran HC theater actor, Eric Ochoa] comes onto the set and speaks with a very gravelly and whinny voice in a dark brown suit, black gloves, and his face painted gray with black circles around his eyes. You can't have a dead man tell tales without looking dead, right? He was funny and great about telling people to shut their cell phones off during the play; which became a gag in the beginning where they killed a girl for using her cell phone and walking through their “tomb” as the called it.

Well as soon as Ghoulardi got going another character named Mitch [played by Tyler Hall] came in and sliced his stitched mouth open so that he could talk and ask where his wife Louise was at. It was all very funny, and I do believe that was intentional do to the fact that the overall play was very comedic. Soon after two girls known as Ethel & Gertrude [Billed as the Vampira Twins and played by April Zavala and another veteran actress, Lindsey Heckler] who are supposed to be sisters, and looking like Elvira's would be daughters by the way, come running out and acting all spastic-like and screaming; “Bodies flying!”, or at least I think so. That part is honestly a little foggy due to everything else that was going on.

Well soon after Madame Phatima [played by Courtnie Smith], a psycho loon gypsy who is blind, comes into the room. The play really didn't kick off though until after Count Gangrene [played by Justin Case] came in via his octagonal shaped old style casket. The role was hammed up pretty good and was played very well. It reminded me a lot of the old horror hosts who were on local cable access channels on Saturday nights hosting bad to fairly decent horror films. So onto the three acts of the play.

Act I: “The Spider” –

This first of three acts in the entire play was all done in the dark. The point was to make you feel like you were listening to an old radio show. This act was adapted from Wyllis Cooper's story called Lights Out! Spider. The story was about two guys in the jungle who were looking for spiders. Well they found one. A very big one. Apparently it was the size of a dog and was a vicious killer because one of the guys was eaten up fast followed by the other guy who was eaten alive by the spider's babies. This first act worked out superbly well. The voicing, done by Ryan Stockton and Will Cross, was very clear and the acting was great. I really felt like I was in the jungle with them as I watched them from afar. The sound effects really set the mood up right and gave me a chill at how real everything sounded. From chirping birds, to a soft sounding waterfall, and even bugs that could be heard buzzing around. This was definitely bumping the play up a notch from what was already a great start. I also liked the red pulsing light used to emphasize parts of the act. Very well done for sure.

Act II: “The Lake” –

The second act was based off of a Ray Bradbury story of the same name. The story is about a young woman named Sad Sara [played byAutumn Alton] who tells a tale about her childhood where she watched a friend of hers drown. It was a very dark and sad story that had its advantages in making everyone cry, but fell a slight bit short because they had set up two wireless mics for the two actors in this particular part of the play. The actress who played Sad Sara kept walking back and forth from the mic, which made me feel like someone was constantly turning the volume knob on an old radio up and down. It was a tad bit irritating honestly. I really think that this part of the play would have been best suited without mics because you could hear them talk without them. I think if this play is done up ever again that they should forego the mics. They really weren't needed. Great story and acting otherwise.

Act III: “The Witch's Game” –

Again, just as in act one, this one was played out in the dark to make you feel like you were listening to an old radio show. This act was also based off another Ray Bradbury story called The October Game. The one thing that somewhat ruined the overall mood of this act for me was the fact that me being in the front row I was able to see all the actors behind the black curtain with scripts and flashlights while they gave their performances. Now I'm sure they weren't even aware that any of us could see them, but I think they'd have been better off if they had gone further behind the set so that no one could see them because seeing them as they were made it somewhat difficult to delve deep into the imagery that was being set up for us. It was basically a Simpsons Tree House Of Horror kind of story where they talked about what physical things people would use to tell a horror story. At the end people were being murdered and dragged off, which was actually being visually used at the end of the act with flashlights shining on the actors being dragged around. It was sort of similar to the red pulses we'd be getting in act one for certain parts of the story. A great ending even if I could see the behind the scenes part of this final act.

The Program's Design –

Mindy Ralston did a fantastic job making the program for this play. It looks like an old comic book, and even had ads on the back of it. The only thing missing were those phony X-Ray Specs that were supposed to allow you to see through people's clothing. The layout of the program was great and very easy to follow. There even some great responses from Count Gangrene just like Marvel Comics had with their old soap box portions of their comic books. I loved the corny nicknames used as well. Like Count Kirk and Mindy “Arson Enthusiast” Ralston, among many others. It reminded me of all the goofy nicknames Matt Greoning and his team would use in The Simpsons for their Treehouse Of Horror specials. It really added to the atmosphere.

My Overall Opinion Of The Play –

I thought the play was fantastic from beginning to end. Nobody goofed up their lines. No one tripped and fell. Everyone seemed to have a great time, and I actually thought that the comedic angle was great. I loved Count Gangrene, Ghoulardi, the Vampira Twins, and Madame Phatima. They added to the quirkiness of the play that was trying to take a poke and a stab at its self while giving some great stories. It wasn't a dark and scary play like I had originally imagined, but that's not a bad thing. I think Howard College has most definitely got a great acting director in Kirk Davidson. He knows how to get his actors to perform at their best, and he knows what stories to tell that capture an audience's imagination. If you're looking for a great night of fun then go see one of his plays that he puts on each semester. You'll be delightfully entertained and you'll have a great time watching up and coming actors cut their teeth for what is probably their first time acting.

“No More Mr. Nice Guy”

by Terrence Cain

You're probably thinking by the title alone that this blog post is going to be all angst filled and moody. No way, man! Are you kidding me? I mean I know I got a hot temper at times, but jeez, I swear I'm not in a sour mood or anything like that. I promise. Halloween is coming up next Wednesday, my favorite holiday by the way, and since it is coming up I thought I'd use a line from a classic Alice Cooper song for fun. Just like the last two weeks I've ended the blog with famous lines from classic horror films. I bet people are still scratching their head as to what movies they came from, and I assure you I'll never tell.

Oh boy, am I in a giddy mood today. I'm doing really well in my classes, I just got done talking to an Angelo State rep for transferring to their university next January, and to top it off I also found out that I'll be visiting Angelo State on November 16^th with the Science Club. The only thing that could make life any better right now is winning the lottery or getting a job working for a music magazine that sends me all over the world! Okay, calm down, Terrence. No need to get all crazy with excitement [enter derisive laughs here.]

So this week was pretty awesome, as you can no doubt tell, but it wasn't just what happened today with ASU and the overall semester grades report I saw either. I'm beginning to really enjoy science again, particularly Astronomy. It really is quickly becoming one of my most treasured classes; and not just because I made a ninety-five on my last test either. There is just so much I am learning thanks to Prof. Hobbs. There are things about the black hole I just never knew. All I ever knew is that light could never escape it and that its density and gravity literally crushes everything inside it. Finding out that it more or less bends light, slows the speed of light, and possibly even recycles time and space just blows my mind. I'll never be good at math calculations, but science thrills me like no other subject right now. Being in this class just makes me want to learn more just as I felt when I was in my youth. Now you're probably thinking; “Well why not get a degree in science then.” Well that's because I love to learn, but I don't want to be in it for a living. I do love to write, music is the thing I know of the most, so that's where my heart will always be.

Okay I gotta get moving on an ethics paper. Please, if you're a student or faculty member at the Howard College campus in Big Spring go see Prof. Davidson's play, The Tomb Of Count Gangrene, next Tuesday at 7 pm. Do try to be there by 6:30 so that you have a seat available to you. Cynthia Weeks is selling the tickets to the show, $3 for HC students and faculty and $5 for outsiders. She is in the Science building right behind the Music Hall. You'll find her on the first floor near the elevator. I want to say here office number is 107, but don't quote me on that. You'll see her name by the door.

I promise you, it's going to be a great Halloween play with free candy and a great atmosphere. I've already seen the set and it looks great. It's going to be in the tradition of three stories told by three different hosts, similar to old radio serials and horror shows like Creepshow and Tales From The Crypt. I'll post up the flyer for you to look at again here at the end of this blog. Okay, well that's it for now. I hope everyone has a safe and warm weekend. Until next time, this is Howard's blogging machine saying; “You forgot the power glove!”

“What A Week!”

by Terrence Cain

I cannot believe how hectic this week has been for me. Is it just me or did classes get extremely busy and complicated this week? I've got a boatload of homework to do this weekend, then I gotta do two tests on Monday. I also had two tests this week. Hopefully after Monday things will slow down a little. Well we're half way through October and just about to make the halfway point for this semester. I'm getting super psyched because that means I'm almost through with my tenure at Howard here in Big Spring, but not done with college all together. I've got to go to Angelo State University starting next January so that I can get my bachelors in print journalism. That's where the real journey will begin.

Now that's not saying I am ungrateful to Howard College, as a matter of fact I'm very pleased I went to Howard College to get my associates. It's definitely one of the best junior colleges in the United States. I'm just excited to be graduating because I'm halfway there to getting back to work because that's the goal I have in my life right now. If someone was to ask me what college they should attend, I would tell them to start out at Howard and then work their way up to a university.

Okay, before I say adios I want to remind everyone that they should go see Professor Kirk Davidson's play [The Tomb Of Count Gangrene] on October 30^th here in Big Spring at the Hall Center For The Arts. Students and faculty only pay $3 to see the show, and $5 for those who are not attending or working for Howard. Show starts at 7 pm, so don't be late. It's going to be a great little horror play that is reminiscent of Tales From The Crypt and Stephen King's Creepshow. I hope I'll see you all there. Well, that's it for now. I hope you all have a great weekend. Until next week, this is your friendly Howard College blogger saying; “Welcome to primetime...”

“Why College Is Important”

by Terrence Cain

Some people say that college is like the military. After a certain amount of time in you become a completely different person than you were before. While that may be true in some ways, it's not necessarily in others. I know in a lot of ways for me it has helped me to solidify more of the stances that I've always had on a multitude of topics—while in other ways I've had my eyes opened to new ideas and concepts that I would have never thought of otherwise. Even if I fail to obtain a degree, I will never say that I regret going to college because it has been one of the most awesome experiences in my life.

That's something I unfortunately don't see in a great number of people under the age of twenty-five. I wish more people would be engaged in wanting to grow their mind and become better people for the future of all humanity. I'm sure this is nothing new, humans have pretty much been this way since the dawn of time began, but it just seems to me like a great share of people just don't seem to care about their own intellect or wanting to impact the world in a positive way. They're too busy with their electronic toys, too absorbed in having a good time with friends, and in some ways just uncaring of the world that surrounds them. I know that last comment is a harsh one, but the truth is that's how I perceive things. I want people to care more about their surroundings. So many things are happening today that need a positive change. If we're to continue evolving as a collective whole then we as individuals need to stand up and take charge of our destinies.

Every semester a class will have an average of twenty to forty students and almost half of them stop showing up after the first test is completed. I'm not really sure that there is anything that we can be done to change that because of the fact that people will do whatever they want regardless of how hard others try to make them change how they function. That's why I think that statement I gave at the beginning of this piece is only half true. People have to want to be engaged in order for things to change. I hope that as future generations come up into this world they will want to be more involved, but something tells me that's not going to be the case. I hope they will prove me wrong.

Okay, so something truly amazing is coming up on Hallow's Eve at Howard College here in Big Spring. On October 30^th there will be a very spooky play hitting the stage called The Tomb Of Count Gangrene that is being put together by theater professor, Kirk Davidson. Yes, the same Kirk Davidson who teaches Development Of Motion Pictures and Speech at Howard College here in Big Spring. If you're a student or faculty member the tickets are $3, for outsiders it will be $5. So here is a brief synopsis of what the play will be like.

“In the tradition of Tales From The Crypt and Stephen King's Creepshow—The Black Box Actor’s Guild welcomes you to...The Tomb Of Count Gangrene! Muahhahahaha!!!

Count Gangrene has risen from his crypt along with Madame Specter and Ghoulardi, the Crypt Keeper to tell you three spine tingling tales of terror! The first tale is called “The Lake.” It's about a friendship and a friend that will not die. The second tale is called “The Spider.” It's about a three-hundred pound arachnid with an appetite for human flesh. The third and final tale is called “The Witches Game.” This final chapter is about a game in which the loser loses her head...quite literally might I add. It's all spine tingling Halloween fun with free candy and and traumatizing treats and tricks! Muahhahahaha!!!

So please, come have fun with us on October 30^th as we put on one heck of a show for you all! The tickets are $3 for students and $5 for general admission. Call 432-264-5161 for more information. The show starts at 7 pm at the Howard College Hall Center For The Arts in Big Spring, so come crawl into The Tomb Of Count Gangrene...if you dare. It should be a spooky fun time!”

It's really going to be a great show, people. Come support the arts and spend Hallow's Eve at the Howard College Hall Center For The Arts here in Big Spring and have a spooky good time. I'll be there for sure and so should you. Well that's all I have this week. Until next week, this is your friendly blogger saying...they're coming to get you, Barbara...Muahhahahaha!!!

“October Is Finally Here!”

by Terrence Cain

Ah, October is finally here and I couldn't be happier even if someone told me that I had just won a billion dollars and didn't have to work another day in my life. Okay, maybe that would make me happier, but I swear I'm not a procrastinator. I love writing, and that is work for a lot of people—including me. I'm so elated with life right now because things seem to be moving forward for me and those in my life I love the most. Life does seem to move in mysterious ways, that's for sure.

So for Thursday's Speech I had to give a speech about music and how it's had an affect on me and how I've come to be in college thanks to music. In case you all have forgotten, or you're a first time reader, I will be going to Angelo State University to get my bachelors degree in print journalism where hopefully afterwards I will be writing about music in a profound way that isn't just the latest gossip about who beat up who, or who shot who, or who died of an overdose, or who married who for five seconds and then decided to file for a divorce over “irreconcilable differences.” My goal is to write about music and the positive energies it can bring to one's life. I want to write about albums, I want to talk to the musicians who made the music and find out what they wanted to get across in their lyrics and the mood of their music. Seems like people are far too nosey about what celebrity is doing what these days and I want to change that for the better.

So I not only did that this week, but I also almost managed to have a screwed up week as well because I thought I had lost a math paper I had due that was actually stuck in the middle of my notebook. It was embarrassing to say the least, but at least I got it turned in and with no problems from my algebra teacher, Prof. Keeney. It made me think of my days as a kid in elementary school when I'd lose my papers for class all the time. Seems like something never change. At least this was the first in about seventeen years, and hopefully last, that I will do such a thing as that.

This semester seems to be going much smoother than I had initially thought. I really thought this final semester would be a gut buster of a semester, but so far it's turned out to be pretty mellow and relaxed. It could also be that I am far more prepared than I was for my first couple of semesters. Well I must be moving forward towards the weekend. I've got a lot of math to do before Sunday, not to mention a few house chores, so until next week this is Howard College's blogging machine, over and out!