Projects: THE SCARIEST

The Scariest - 2008

"It’s like watching a play inside the shower at the Bates Motel."

"...ghoulish.."

"...nerve-jangling..."

"...taut and skillfully written..."

"...sly, fantastical and delightfully unpredictable.."

"...darkly nightmarish.."


(all quotes from the NYT review of "The Scariest" - March 11, 2008)

The Exchange takes on some of the greatest horror stories in history with the Off-Broadway premiere of The Scariest. This evening length collection of new plays by Kristin Newbom, Laura Schellhardt, Mark Schultz, and Gary Sunshine is based on the works of Nathaniel Hawthorne, W.W. Jacobs, Hans Christian Anderson, and "The Book of Revelations." Directed by Ari Edelson and Meredith McDonough, performances began March 2, 2009 at The Theatres at 45 Bleecker. 

No matter where in the world, no matter what culture, people know that there is something lurking around the shadows, creeping under the bed. For The Scariest, The Exchange has commissioned four of New York's most exciting playwrights to remix some of the greatest classics of the horror genre. These modern stage interpretations have all been recast into contemporary settings and to confront modern-day terrors with humor and a bit of the macabre.

The bill for the evening included:

  • Monkey's Paw. If you had three wishes, what would you do? Just be careful what you wish for. Mark Schultz takes on WW Jacobs classic.
  • Apothecary's Daughter. Have you ever met a poisonous woman? How close would you get? Laura Schellhardt's take on Nathaniel Hawthorne's tale of love and death.
  • Revelations. What happens when your personal life invades your work? Kristin Newbom takes on the last book of The Bible.
  • Names of Foods. What depths do we go to save our own, not knowing what the future may hold? Gary Sunshine takes on Hans Christian Anderson's "The Story of A Mother."

The Scariest featured Rebecca Brooksher (Dying City), Angel Desai (Company), Andy Grotelueschen (Clowns), Jesse Hooker (Some Men), Mandy Siegfried (Noises Off), Joaquin Torres (King Lear).