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‘THE HOUSE ON WATCH HILL’ is Ready to Thrill

Coming-of-age adventures get the Vegas Theater Company treatment in a glorious new musical…

How lucky is Las Vegas to have numerous repertory arts companies? Plenty fortunate, it seems. The burgeoning Arts District continues to grow in popularity and importance, and at its heart are Majestic Repertory Theater and Vegas Theater Company.

Located mere blocks apart, these two organizations have dared to create, shock, excite, charm, stimulate the heart, and push boundaries. In recent years we’ve seen innovative productions like Clown Bar, Cluelesque, Scream’d, The Wild Party, Angry Fags, Hot Trash, and ABANDON. Now Vegas Theater Company is revamping its programming format to accommodate what could be their most ambitious production ever: The House on Watch Hill.

The premise of THE HOUSE ON WATCH HILL should appeal to fans to STRANGER THINGS. Well, the first season, at least, when the teens of that saga were still misfits. It seems we can’t reminisce enough over those wonderful summers of the 1980s. That’s when films like The Goonies, Weird Science, Back to the Future, and Gremlins gave a voice to teenagers not just wanting to fit in but to change the world.

THE HOUSE ON WATCH HILL is a song-filled look at the summer of 1984, when a young Patrick takes his first significant steps toward adulthood. Told from the perspective of his current-day self, Patrick recalls being a “weird little kid”.  He shares the excitement, insecurities, and hope that he and fellow misfits experienced on their mission to create the ultimate haunted house.

VEGAS 411 was invited to attend a pre-opening sneak preview of  THE HOUSE ON WATCH HILL. Members of the media, cast, creators, friends, and family gathered at the home of co-writers Richard Oberacker (KA) and Robert Taylor. We were privileged to hear five new songs performed by the cast, mostly comprised of stunning teen actors.

“The opportunity to have the world premiere of this new musical be with Vegas Theatre Company is deeply meaningful for us as authors and theater makers,” said Richard Oberacker and Robert Taylor, Creators and Writers of The House on Watch Hill. “Las Vegas has become more than a place in which we’ve made successful entertainment careers. It’s home. We’ve watched as the underground arts scene has grown to be a powerful force for cultural enrichment and influence.”

It’s pretty obvious that Oberacker and Taylor have a deep love for the movies. Their musical comedy BRUCE centered around the filming of JAWS and its many logistical challenges. But while that production premiered in Seattle, the team has decided to bring The House on Watch Hill to Las Vegas for a number of reasons.

“Our first musical to reach Broadway had its very first public reading at Vegas Theatre Company, and for this particular musical, with its intimacy and scrappy DIY story elements, it feels inevitable and essential that it has not just its development and readings and workshops here, but its full-scale world premiere production as well.”

“It’s a story about friends who come together to make a piece of living theatrical magic that others can step inside of and lose themselves in a fantastic world of dark imagination. That pretty much sums up the definition of what happens within the walls of this adventurous company.”

Speaking of magic, a suprise vist from illusionist Jarrett Parker lit up the evening in a very special way. Jarrett revealed that he would be creating magical elements for the production:

“Ready for the scariest haunted house with a wonderful musical story? For a magician, there is nothing more creative and exciting than making haunted spirits come alive!” – Jarrett Parker

Vegas Theater Company is excited that they were able to cast nearly every role with Las Vegas locals. Finding qualified young actors to bring each character to life was undoubtedly challenging, but as the preview demonstrated, it was wildly successful.

“Starring an exceptional cast of young performers, led by Luke Martin, Sean Driscoll, Rashida Makeda, Madison Morseburg, Nick Katopodis, Ashley Grubbs, and Adrian Madamba, and joined by the accomplished Christine Hudman and Jason Collins as the Adults in the Room, The House on Watch Hill is a thrilling story of friendship, fear, and the challenges of growing up.”

The show is directed by Darren “Daz” Weller, who is Vegas Theater Company‘s Artistic Director. Weller made the surprise announcement that The House On Watch Hill will have an indefinite run instead of a closed-end schedule. “I’ll run it as long as people keep buying tickets.”

With so much talent, ambition, and hope on display, it seems as though the cast and creators at Vegas Theater Company are mirroring the the plot of their latest production. And once again, Las Vegas proves itself to be a fertile garden for exciting new ideas and incredible talent.

Tickets for preview performances for The House On Watch Hill are $25 plus applicable fees. Beginning Friday, October 4, 2024, tickets are $28 plus applicable fees for students and $39.99 plus applicable fees for adults. Group discounts are available for groups of eight or more. All tickets are general admission. Order yours by heading here.

  • Friday, September 27, 2024 at 7 p.m. (Preview performance)
  • Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 7 p.m. (Preview performance)
  • Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 7 p.m. (Preview performance)
  • Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at 7 p.m. (Preview performance)
  • Thursday, October 3, 2024 at 7 p.m. (Preview performance)
  • Friday, October 4, 2024 at 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, October 6, 2024 at 5 p.m.
  • Friday, October 11, 2024 at 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 12, 2024 at 2 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 12, 2024 at 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, October 13, 2024 at 5 p.m.
  • Friday, October 18, 2024 at 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, October 20, 2024 at 5 p.m.
  • Monday, October 21, 2024 at 7 p.m.
  • Friday, October 25, 2024 at 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, October 27, 2024 at 5 p.m.
  • Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at 7 p.m.
  • Thursday, October 31, 2024 at 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 2 p.m.
  • Sunday, November 3, 2024 at 5 p.m.

Mural by Simone Skold and Barbara Jean Brown

VEGAS THEATER COMPANY is located at 1025 S. First Street. Ample free parking is available.

Photos/graphics by Vegas Theater Company, Atomic City PR, Jarrett Parker, and Vegas 411

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