CULTober returns to Titusville Playhouse, with a full month of thrills and chills

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Believe it or not, 2022 is heading for the home stretch, and Halloween is ghoulishly close to the finish line.

If Halloween is close at hand, it means it's time for CULTober at Titusville Playhouse, where fans of the weird, eclectic and creepy will have their bloodlust sated with three cult classics of the season, plus one more production for good measure

Orlando may have its horror nights, but Titusville offers a more personal, concentrated option to channel thrills and chills.

“Being so close to major Orlando Halloween events we knew we wanted to create an iconic staple for the Space Coast, the perfect night out,” said Niko Stamos, associate artistic director for Titusville Playhouse.

The result is CULTober, a trifecta of shows that this year will be performed outdoors and also include an indoor component with “Do Spirits Return?”

“We are creating not only a show, but an atmosphere for audiences to enter into,” added Stamos.

Take your pick from the raw, emotion-laden “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” or get soaked in fake blood at the campy “Evil Dead the Musical.” Dance the “Time Warp” for the ninth year in a row at the “Rocky Horror Show” or join the theatrical séance of “Do Spirits Return?” Come to think of it, do them all for the full experience.

CULTober kicks off with “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” which runs the weekend of Sept. 30 to Oct. 2.

Jordyn Linkous stars in the title role of Hedwig in the brilliantly innovative and wickedly funny groundbreaking musical by John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask. This genre-bending, fourth-wall-smashing musical sensation, with a pulsing score and electrifying performances, tells the story of one of the most unique characters to ever hit the stage.

Opening night is already sold out, but some seats still remain for the 8 p.m. show on Saturday, Oct. 1, and the 6 p.m. performance Sunday, Oct. 2. Note that the show is adult in nature and not suitable for children.

Linkous brings his talents to three of the four shows of CULTober. With “Evil Dead the Musical,” he transforms into Ash, houseware employee turned demon-dispatching hero in the campy production that is one of the craziest, funniest, and fake-bloodiest theatrical experiences of all time…and the only show to boast a Splatter Zone that soaks the audience in fake blood.

“He truly shows his versatility both on and off the stage during the month, as he lands to choreography and maintains his duties as resident costume and wig designer,” said Stamos.

When five college students go to an abandoned cabin in the woods and accidentally unleash an evil force that turns them all into demons, it’s all up to Ash and his trusty chainsaw to save the day. Blood flies. Limbs are dismembered. Demons tell bad jokes… all to music.

Is it scary? Nah, this is pure comedy, albeit chock-full of cheesiness.

Part theatrical séance, part ghost story, “Do Spirits Return” features artifacts from the infamous Waverly Hills Sanitarium, considered the most haunted location in America, thanks to the more than 5,000 people who died from tuberculosis there as the disease decimated the town of Louisville, Kentucky. The show stars Brevard’s own John Ferrentino, a comedy magician who has been performing worldwide for more than 40 years and has appeared on more than 50 television shows. He will weave the horrific tales of woe and connect with the spirits who still roam the halls of the deserted sanatorium.

“You get an up-close experience as he gets in touch with the beyond, right before your eyes,” promised Stamos.

CULTober ends gloriously with that most iconic of Halloween shows, “The Rocky Horror Show,” at the Shuler stage Oct. 21 to 30.

Yes, Linkous is in this production too, as Riff Raff, a parody of Frankenstein’s trusted Igor.

The musical inspired by the 1975 classic cult film, “The Rocky Horror Show” never grows old as it follows the vicissitudes of newlyweds Brad and Janet when they meet Dr. Frank N Furter and friends in a mysterious castle during a dark and stormy night.

It does not matter if you have seen the shows before, because the Playhouse likes to mix things up for variety.

“One of the exciting things for us is how the shows have evolved from year to year, always trying new things and incorporating new cast members with previous ones,” said Stamos.

“We promise if you have seen the shows in the past, you haven't seen them like this.”

If you go

CULTober shows

Where: Titusville Playhouse, 301 Julia Street, Titusville

Info: 321-268-1125

On the web:  titusvilleplayhouse.com

'Hedwig and the Angry Inch'

When: Sept. 30 - Oct. 2, with performances at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 6 p.m. on Sunday

Tickets: $36 for general admission or $38 for VIP

'Evil Dead the Musical'

When: Oct. 7 - 16, with performances at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 6 p.m. Sundays

Tickets: $36, or $40 for the premium “splatter zone,” where the audience is likely to covered in fake blood.

'Do Spirits Return?'

When: Oct. 14 at 8 p.m. and Oct 15 at 2 and 8 p.m.

Tickets: $26 to $32

'The Rocky Horror Show'

When: Oct. 21 - 30, with performances at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 6 p.m. Sundays. Additional performances are scheduled at 11:59 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 28 - 29.

Tickets: $36 to $40

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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: CULTober returns to Titusville, with 'Hedwig,' 'Rocky Horror' and 'Evil Dead'