Transcription:
Monsters spook visitors
By Tom Monahan
Ids Staff Writer
If you have been in the vicinity of Kirkwood Avenue and Madison Street the last couple of nights and saw fiends, goblins and monsters running around the old two-story white brick house on the comer, take heart-you haven't been seeing things.
October 23 through 31, the old structure has been converted to the Monster Mansion. The mansion was created by Whole Theater and Easter Seal's Project Probe to raise money for both non-profit organizations.
The mansion opened Monday with a celebration which included the grand ghoul of late night horror movies, Sammy Terry.
"Good evening, I hope you have a terrible time," Terry greeted guests. "My, but you look terrible," he continued saying to his many fans.
Long lines' of youngsters have been standing in front of the mansion every night this week, waiting their chance to come face to face with six of the most famous, ferocious fiends of all time.
Frankenstein, Wolfman, Dracula, Grim Reaper, Mummy and the Phantom of the Opera all lurk in their own room ready to leap out at their unsuspecting victims. Each room of the house is decorated according to the monster inhabiting it.
All characters are played by members of the Whole Theater or Project Probe. The scenery, masks and make-up were created by Tim Herron. Art work was created by Karen Plummer, David Meo and Frank Hall - all members of the Whole Theater.
The eerie music filling the mansion was put together by Mark Bingham and Caroline Peyton, who are working on an original album of creepy sounds.
The reactions of' the children who have been through the house have varied, according to the "ghoul scouts" who guide people through the mansion.
Some laugh at the evil-looking monsters, others openly wail at the sights, while many remain very quiet and stay close to their mothers' sides.
"They understand the games being played," Terry Heckman of the Whole Theater explained, "and most of them play along with it. Some get a little violent sometimes and try to strike back," he added.
The kids are not the only ones who have a good time touring the mansion.
"I think the parents enjoy it even more than their kids," Whole Theater actor John Benn injected.
Monster Mansion is open from 7 to 11 p.m. weekdays and seven p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday nights.
Admission is half-price for those who are smaller than the four-foot tall "Little Monster” statue which greets all visitors at the door.
