by Anthony Horowitz

Halloween Recipe for a Mindgame of a Cocktail

Mindgame is "a truly GRIPPING THRILLER [that] keeps you guessing and marveling from its deceptively normal opening to its FEARFUL CLIMAX" - The Stage. This hit from London's West End is a puzzle-box of a play - ½ thriller & ½ dark comedy - with twists that remind you seeing is not quite believing! Mindgame is sure to be added to the Hippodrome's memorable and macabre treats for mature audiences during our popular Halloween slot. Miss it at your own peril!

True Crime writer Mark Styler is looking for his next subject. After "monster" success with his books, Serial Chiller: The True Story of a Monster in the Ukraine, Bloodbath: Inside the Minds of Nine Serial Killers and Blaming Jane (now in the hands of Quentin Tarantino), he turns to Fairfields Institute for the Criminally Insane to obtain access to one of its notorious patients - a serial killer known as Easterman. It's coming up on the 30th anniversary of Easterman's arrest, and there's huge interest in the story. If Styler can just get past the strange behavior and reluctance of Dr. Farquhar, head of the asylum, he'd be off and running to the next leap in his career. But will he get the interview with Easterman and will it be what he expected? And who is this Nurse Plimpton and why is she acting so strange?

Soon, nothing can be trusted, not even Styler's own eyes. Through a series of lies, manipulations and memories, dark secrets are revealed and questions keep surfacing. Why is there a skeleton in the doctor's office? Where did the raw meat in the fridge come from? What is the nurse so afraid of? …and most importantly, how does one get out?"

Be careful what you wish for, Mr. Styler! And be ready to sleep with the lights on, audience!

Joining us for this twisted tale of suspense is Hippodrome veteran Sara Morsey as Nurse Plimpton (most recently seen in UP), Tod Zimmerman as Mark Styler (UP, SHIPWRECKED) and David Sitler as Dr. Farquhar (last seen in THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS). Also joining us is newcomer Joseph Fletcher as Stage Manager.

The play is directed by Hippodrome Artistic Director Lauren Caldwell who brought you such Halloween hits as Dracula, The Rocky Horror Show, Night of the Living Dead and Woman in Black. She is joined by Costume Designer Marilyn A. Wall, Scenic Designer Carlos Assé, Lighting Designer Robert P. Robins, and Sound Designer Risa Baxter.

* Advisory: not recommended for young audiences or the faint of heart due to some violent subject matter and minor gruesome effects. Anyone who can handle unexpected chills and thrills inside an asylum with patients that rival Hannibal Lector, however will enjoy this "mindgame."

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