If you go
› What: “Devil’s Walk”› Where: Back Alley Productions, 117 N. Chattanooga St., LaFayette, Georgia› When: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday Oct. 12-13, 19-20, 26-27; 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27› Admission: $16, $13 senior adults, $12 students› For more information: 706-621-2870
"Devil's Walk," a terrifying stage play inspired by the lore of Nathaniel Hawthorne, will open Friday, Oct. 12, for seven performances by Back Alley Productions, including a special midnight showing on Saturday, Oct. 27, in celebration of the Halloween season.
"Devil's Walk" focuses on the journey of young Goodly Brown as she sets off on a seemingly unavoidable quest for answers and to right her family name.
Entering the woods outside her village, she meets the Devil, who invites her on a dangerous journey. Along the way, he shows her visions in order to shake her faith. Brown, a virtuous and steady Christian, believes she is strong enough to best the Devil's distortions and charms. But as she delves deeper into the dark history of the town's true nature, she begins to waver.
"Devil's Walk" delves into what brings a mortal to evil as young Goodly Brown embarks on a dangerous journey to right her family name. (Back Alley Productions photo)"We've been doing an annual Halloween show for three years now at the theatre," Director Kaylee Smith says. "Each year we up the ante in fear, adrenaline, creativity and execution. We've got some exciting and scary ideas to bring to you this year."
The deeper that Brown journeys into the woods, the more terrifying and distorted things get. Facades are broken down, faith is questioned and the Devil exerts more power over the scene until it's too late to turn around. For audiences, it may also be too late to turn around. Unlike a scary movie, the action happens in front, around and even behind them.
As the play progresses, Brown continues her quest until she's quite literally in another world.
"It's a world she thinks she can master, armed with her faith, only to find it masters her," Smith explains.
"Like us, she's completely unprepared for the horror that awaits her on the other side. And in the woods, she realizes the people she trusted blindly aren't who they say they are. Not her church, not her friends, no one in her community or family. Worst of all, she begins to wonder if she can even trust her own self, including her faith."
Though not explicit in content, some viewers may be uncomfortable with demonic themes that run throughout the play, as well as horror and scare elements. Audience discretion is advised.
"There's certainly a lot of poignancy in Hawthorne's writing," Smith says. "It offers a lot to chew on philosophically. But, at the end of the day, the first goal is always to scare you. This is definitely a fearful and fun plunge for the Halloween season."
Tickets may be purchased online at www.BAPshows.com or at the box office the day of show. For more information: 706-621-2870.