New Hazlett Theater explores the macabre

Grand Guignol — Theater of the Macabre

Friday 8 p.m. to midnight

New Hazlett… Grand Guignol — Theater of the Macabre

Friday 8 p.m. to midnight

New Hazlett Theater

Allegheny Square East

General Admission: $20 (includes two drinks), VIP Admission: $60 (includes valet parking and complimentary drinks all night)

Ages 21 and over

1-888-71-TICKETS

http://www.newhazletttheater.org

Halloween parties are a dime a dozen in a large city like Pittsburgh. The North Side’s New Hazlett Theater will throw its own twist into the holiday festivities by bringing in burlesque and dance troupes for it theatrical extravaganza.

On Friday night, the theater will have a plethora of eye-catching performance groups and a free raffle at its dramatic party.

The theme of the benefit comes from a classic French theatrical performance called “Le Théâtre du Grand-Guignol,” which translates to “The Theatre of the Big Puppet.” In 1897, Grand Guignol events were known for their naturalistic horror, and since then, the term has earned the connotations associated with graphic and amoral entertainment. What could be a better backdrop for a Halloween bash at a theater?

“The original plan was to base the event on a Brazil Carnival theme, but at the first planning meeting, someone brought up “Le Théâtre du Grand-Guignol.” Although almost no one was familiar with the term, we were all extremely interested and, after doing research, were excited to go with it since it was so unique,” said Debra Sciranka, a marketing associate for the New Hazlett Theater.

The fundraising event will help the theater continue to give unique shows a place to play. To repay each attendee for his or her contribution, the theater enters everyone at the event into a free raffle in which the winner and a guest will be able to attend any event at the theater for an entire year. There is also a thrilling group of performers who will bring their distinctive talents to the party to entertain the crowd.

One of the groups gracing the New Hazlett’s stage for the fundraiser is a burlesque troupe called the Bridge City Bombshells. It was purely by chance that the group was able to be a part of the Grand Guignol event. One of the member’s hairdressers works for the New Hazlett, told the client about the benefit, and a promising work relationship was born.

Elizabeth Couteau founded the group in July of 2009 and has led it ever since. She was inspired by a friend who headed a similar troupe in New Orleans. She sought training and then used her new talents to create the Bridge City Bombshells in Pittsburgh. The group performs to live music and prerecorded tracks, but their acts are characterized by the unique costumes and makeup that the ladies put on.

“Our forte is unique burlesque: rock ‘n’ roll, zombie-lesque,” Couteau said.

Performing with the Bridge City Bombshells during the Halloween season is very special for Couteau. Her favorite part of the holiday is bringing characters to life and she finds burlesque the perfect vehicle.

Also on the bill at the fundraiser is a local dance group called Evolve Productions. Director/choreographer Sarah Parker  was able to combine her Point Park degrees in Dance Performance and Education and Business Management and Marketing when she founded Evolve in 2008.

Parker, who has danced since age 4, noticed the wealth of talent in dance and the arts that existed in the greater Pittsburgh area and the need for a group to synthesize all different types of dance into a unique repertoire. The group’s debut performance was in January 2009 and was entitled “Breakout.”

“I don’t think that there is anything typical about our performances. We try to bring styles together that don’t normally go together. We focus not only on the artistic aspect of dance but also the physical and entertainment parts,” Parker said.

Parker also feels that the costumes and characters truly make Halloween what it is. She enjoys being up on stage and putting on an act for an audience, but she loves it even more when everyone can join in on the fun of dressing up.