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I can’t say I have ever been the biggest fan of live theater. Which is not to say I don’t like it, but I never liked a lot of the stories being told. They were bombastic and over the top or maudlin and sad. Once in a while you’d get a bawdy comedy but I would rarely see anything “weird” in the ways I like pop up. Slowly but surely though, horror is seeping into theater. It’s always been there, lurking in the shadows of Shakespeare, among others, but usually it’s a bit-player.
In my time, I have seen a strange local performance of THE HOBBIT, which is a great throwback to the sci-fi of the ‘50s. And then, well, if you haven’t seen THE EVIL DEAD: The Musical, then friend, it’s time to treat yourself. The musical is a retelling of the film’s story but with catch songs and dancing trees. It’s outlandish, soaked in blood, and a delight.
The beloved modern horror franchise INSIDIOUS has now taken to the theater in a touring production featuring an original story. While I won’t get too deep into the story – my wife and I went in blind and are very happy about it. The description the production offers gives way too many fun surprises away.
“The Further You Fear” is presented as a live show from the ‘real’ Specs and Tucker, two of the paranormal investigators from the films. Having sold their story to a movie studio as the basis for the films, the two of them are on the road to present authentic proof of the paranormal. From there, we are introduced to a cast of strange and fun characters and the history of the venue we saw it in (The Fisher Theater in Detroit), and gradually, the horrors of the film world begin to enter the theater, and this performance, taking Tucker and Specs through the Red Door and into the Further.
This is a full-scale theater show that mixes humor and horror with special effects, but the heart of the show is the actors. The two leads are fantastic and have an easy rapport, and their banter feels natural. Some of the other cast members are not as compelling as the leads, but they all work together well and in service of the story. Overall, this was a very fun, slightly interactive, and exciting show. While I certainly wouldn’t say it’s going to scare you, it is a creepy affair that didn’t overstay its welcome.
This is a really fun and interesting wrinkle to the theater and to horror. It doesn’t hit all of its marks but, it’s a very entertaining show and in the right venue (as ours was), it’s a memorable show. My advice is to go in understanding that this is not directly connected to the movie series so it has none of the family members in it and is telling its own story. It’s silly, it’s weird, and it is scary. IT IS NOT THE MOVIES. If you go in with an open mind, and not expecting a 1:1 then you’ll have fun. If you are going in expecting to have the scariest night of your lives then you’ll be disappointed. It’s spooky, and scary, sure, but it’s more than that. It’s built to be a “crowd pleaser” and will not be successful with everyone. We loved it. Your mileage may vary.
https://www.insidious-live.com/
4 out of 5
ADDENDUM
So, I guess people are complaining that the show isn’t scary. Yes, and no. It has moments but it mixes them with humor. For me, it works. Could you do a strictly scary show? I suppose, though you have to remember that at home, or in a movie theater you are (or can be at home) in full darkness. My theater experience had people coming and going, drinking alcohol freely, and being a little rowdier than I am used to at a theater or a movie. This show plays to the audience I have been to plenty of movies and heck, haunted houses that claimed they’d scare me to pieces and I felt nothing. That’s life. I don’t get asking for a refund if the show isn’t what you thought but this is where we are, I guess. It’s weird, but it’s where we are. We dug the show. Again, going in blind, we had zero expectations and it worked well for us. Your mileage may vary. If you’re that unsure then sit it out or look around for other reviews. I get it, it’s an expensive show, so do what’s best for you. Just, one more time, do you really think you were gonna go to the theater and get deeply scared? Really? I am legitimately shocked that people are demanding their money back and that the show may be canceled now. So weird. If that’s the case I can get into a more spoilery break-down of it later since then it’ll just be another lost artifact.
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The Spooky World of Chris Ringler 
Didn’t the Fischer have to issue refunds because of how terrible the show was? I heard about a ton of people leaving before intermission. Loads of complaints. A whole bunch of people claiming “false advertising”.
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That’s news to me. I am not quite sure what people are expecting from a theater show. We had a blast. It’s a lot more free-wheeling and silly than the movies but I thought it worked. I am doubtful as to how well a dead-serious theater show that purports to REALLY show you ghosts and demons would play. That stinks if people didn’t dig it but it seems a bit silly to get that up in arms as to ask for your money back. To each their own, I guess.
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