Next Stage Theatre Company/Carnival of Doom begin Creature Feature Fridays

Marietta is about to get weird. Next Stage Theatre Company has partnered with the Carnival of Doom to bring Cobb County Creature Feature Fridays. Their inaugural event, this Friday, April 26, will feature the oh-so-bad B-film Plan 9 from Outer Space and sideshows. I talked to Next Stage Theatre Company’s Managing Director, Christopher Dills, and Gary Hasty, the man behind the Carnival of Doom, about what audiences should expect with this new film event, how good it is to be bad, and finally someone told me to hush.

Q. Next Stage Theatre Company is leaving the stage and moving to the big screen for the inaugural Creature Feature Friday. What prompted this move to film and the partnership with the Carnival of Doom?

A. Not really a move TO film but more of an openness to bring the arts (even the bad arts) to the community via various modes. Since coming to the Marietta Square, Next Stage Theatre Company has looked to bring a different type of entertainment outside of the perimeter so the community has true options locally for their artistic enjoyment. Carnival of Doom witnessed first hand some of these new performances occurring in their beloved Marietta Square and the wheels of de-evolution started churning. Since starting the Marietta Zombie Walk two years ago, the Carnival of Doom has worked with local business owners on the square to bring some unique entertainment events outside of the perimeter and to make the Square a weekend destination for fun… albeit a slightly off-kilter version of fun… but still fun. Drawing from the love of growing up with local “spook show host” each Saturday night such as Vampira & Dr. Shock as well the classic sci-fi and horror films of the 50’s and 60’s and the awe of yesteryear’s carnival sideshow artist we wanted to bring the carny atmosphere back to the “drive-in”.

Q. The night revolves around the notoriously awful film Plan 9 from Outer Space. Why is it so bad? And is the choice behind showing this film because it is so bad it’s good?

A. Ohh, it is so… so bad it’s brilliant. If you’re going to start with a retrospective of B-movies, one must start with the king: Ed Woods, Jr. After Ed was discharged from the Marines after Pearl Harbor, his missing teeth and disfigured leg (wounds suffered while in combat) combined with personal fetishes and acting skills made him a perfect candidate for the carny freak show. Wood played, among others, the geek and the bearded lady before moving to Hollywood in 1947 and befriending the great, yet Demerol addicted, Bela Lugosi. “Plan 9 From Outerspace” was billed as Lugosi’s last film, although the footage of him shot by Woods was never intended for the film. After Lugosi died, Woods rewrote the “script” around what footage of Lugosi he had taken for another film.

Q. This one-night-only event is more than just a screening of a movie. It includes sideshows from Carnival of Doom’s treasures Captain and Maybelle and other “carny folks”. What will this additional entertainment consist of?

A. You’ll witness everything from sword swallowing and human blockheads to snake oil sales before the showing begins. The Carnival of Doom mantra is #MakeMariettaWeird.

Q. The event is described as “immature mature entertainment” and it all begins at 10 p.m. Is this not for the kiddies?

A. While the film itself is tame for little whipper-snappers under 18, the carny folks may not be so tame at this late night performance. We’re leaving it up the parents to decide. Also, one of Cobb’s own local startups, Burnt Hickory Brewery, will be sampling their one-night only purple pale ale called Vampira for those over 21. For future events, we would love to have a “family friendly” matinee version before the late night “immature mature” version to make sure the youth of today also gets to see the B-movies that shaped their parents… then maybe they’ll understand us, right?

Q. It feels a little early to start Halloween activities. Is this event going to be monthly? And what is the pull for having such an event available?

A. Oh hush, it’s never too early for Halloween and this is more about the glory that was in the 50’s and 60’s sci-fi/horror realm and not just Halloween. We’ve modeled this event after our friends inside the perimeter at the Silver Scream Spook Show and looking to bring some of that fun and talent out to Cobb County on a regular basis. This first show is an experiment that we hope to prove that we can bring this type of entertainment to a receptive audience out here in the suburbs and give them a reason to stay and spend some time outside the perimeter.