A Haunting Experience: The Magic of Ghost Brothers of Darkland County
A review of our October 2024 production of Ghost Brothers of Darkland County by Stephen King and John Mellencamp. To purchase tickets to the show click here!
Written by Ben Webb, Photos by Marc Longbrake
I am a huge fan of horror, Stephen King, and well-done theater, and Ghost Brothers of Darkland County at the Benson Theatre hits it out of the park. It’s a sobering tale that serves as a visual and musical feast, giving you chills in all the right ways. You have never quite seen theater like this, so trust me when I say: do NOT miss it.
I could feel the play before it started, thanks in large part to the thought that went into utilizing the whole space as a stage. From the handheld lanterns to newsletters scattered about the story, to moving tree branches projected onto the walls accompanied by ambient outdoor noises, the immersive setting helps the viewer slip into the mood. Directors Madeline S. Radcliff and Jason Levering inform the crowd that this is the first time this updated version of the play has ever been performed—something the Omaha theater community should be proud of and spread the word about. But once it got underway, this cast grabs you by the lapel and slowly pulls you in closer and closer to the terror about to unfold. I cannot say enough about how amazing the stage and theater look for this play. It must be experienced.
Jack Zerbe commands the stage as the Caretaker. There is an air of mystery and playful menace about this character, as his narration drives the story forward without feeling heavy-handed or dull, even for a moment. Zerbe belts, chides, teases, and even tries to mentor at different points, and it is mesmerizing to watch. I have never seen an eyepatch pulled off so well. The story follows a pair of young couples that soon expand to include brothers—one from the present day and one from the past. Parallels and contrasts are played out before the audience, inviting you to guess where things are going. In true Stephen King fashion, even if you might get a “what?”, you won’t see the “how?” coming. The two sets of brothers—Andy (Allen Griffin) and Jack (Kevin Jones); Frank (Jude Glaser) and Drake (Matt Karasek)—play out their sibling tensions quite well as the story escalates the stakes with each new revelation. The looming outcome feels suffocating and terrifying as they battle through contests, songs, and one-upmanship. These actors commit so well to each moment that their facial expressions, reactions, and fights feel genuine and gritty. It is remarkable to watch them work the stage and push one another to give as good as they take.
Sophie Knauss (fellow comedian—way to go!) as Jenna and Mackenzie Zorn as Anna face the uncertainty of life’s next chapters with volume, bold behavior, and an “I dare you to keep up with me” attitude. Underneath, there is a steady heartbeat of fear, anxiety, and turmoil about whether they are making the right choices. The trip out to the cabin serves as the catalyst for unraveling their bravado and certainty, as well as lighting the fuse to the powder kegs of the men in their lives, caught in the horns of their well-intentioned indecision. I was captivated by their main songs and how they introduced themselves to us, as well as how they portrayed their slow tumble down from the hill they raced to the top of. I was touched by Sophie’s commitment to her choices, and Mackenzie once again pulled me in with her eyes and suffering, making me want to root for her and for something good to come out of this. These two actors have a lot asked of them, and they deliver big time.
So, do they go with their heads or their hearts? What will their decisions mean for their futures? For the relationships between brothers? For their families and neighbors? What is the Caretaker’s role in it all? Will you have the strength to endure through to the end and tear this cabin down? I went into this play having no clue what to expect, and I am blown away by it. This is a perfect play for this time of year. I know I want to find a way to see it again. It is that good. Do yourself a favor: grab some friends and get your tickets to fill the seats for this two-week run of shows. There are few theater experiences quite like this one. A big thank you to the cast and crew of this production for their dedication and hard work, as well as to the leadership, staff, and volunteers of the Benson Theatre for taking a risk on bringing this to Omaha and nurturing a love of theater within our community.
