It's often said of tense, character-oriented horror that it'd work just as well on stage as it did on screen; yet it rarely comes to fruition. Looking to follow through, James Michael Shoberg and his Pennsylvania-set Rage of the Stage Players are celebrating Halloween this year with an adaptation of The Butcher Brothers' contemporary cult vampire film, THE HAMILTONS, and the writer/director spoke to Fango about the transition that goes up this Thursday October 21 at the South Park Theatre (Corrigan Dr. South Park, PA 15129). 

FANGORIA: How did you get involved with a stage version of THE HAMILTONS? What attracted you to the piece?

JAMES MICHAEL SHOBERG: I watched THE HAMILTONS for the first time several years ago, and was immediately drawn to it. I actually tried to reach the Butcher Brothers shortly after, but was unable to locate a direct channel, so I decided to move on to other projects at the time. Then, last year, with several of my original scripts beginning to grow in popularity, I decided that maybe my streak of good fortune in 2011 might carry over to my goal of gaining their attention, and it did! Almost humorously, this second attempt was far less intensive, or even resourceful, as it was just a matter of tracking them to Facebook (where else?), and sending them a message from there. I expected either no reply whatsoever, or perhaps a gentle "thanks, but no thanks," with the underlying sentiment of "you kook." After all, we are a small, self-supporting group, composed of voluntary artists from around the Pittsburgh area; what we could we possibly offer them?

Amazingly though, they were both kind and receptive to the proposal, and seemingly ecstatic over the prospect my adapting their script for the stage. It was with their backing that we were able to approach Lionsgate Films for the final approval. It still feels so surreal to me that such a rare opportunity was granted to a warped, little guerrilla theatre company such as ours.

FANG: Do you think the film will translate well to stage? Are there any particular challenges you've faced in adapting?

SHOBERG: Actually, upon first viewing it, what compelled me to contact The Butcher Brothers about a possible stage adaptation of their film, was how much it flowed like a stage play. I could imagine just how well the story's drama and visceral conflict would translate to the stage. Briefly featured film venues, which aren't necessarily "theatrically feasible" on a small scale, such as the inside of a vehicle for example, will be slightly altered or conceptualized. The set itself will be an amalgamation of multiple locations seen in the film, even down to different rooms in the Hamilton household, which can be viewed simultaneously.

FANG: Is it an entirely new cast?

SHOBERG: The cast for the our adaptation of THE HAMILTONS here in Pittsburgh, is entirely new. Each performer is originating his or her own particular character, as it has been interpreted for the stage version of the story.

FANG: How long does the show play?

SHOBERG: THE HAMILTONS premieres on October 21st, 2011. It will continue October 22nd, 27th-29th, and have a special Halloween performance on the 31st. Finally, it will run November 3rd-5th. 

You can find learn more and reserve tickets at the Rage of the Stage's official Facebook, or call (724) 292-8427.

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