Séance, This Year's Version...Is Coming

August will soon fade into history, followed by September, as it has for as long as there has been Augusts and Septembers. In our part of the world September means the days get shorter and the temperatures begin to fall...

My favorite part of the year.

Back in 2017 a new attraction opened at Lagoon Amusement Park's Frightmares. It's called Séance, and it's absolutely terrifying. I've been fortunate enough to be a part of every show, every production of the attraction that's taken place on the park. It's just the best show.

Many of my readers have seen the show. If you have you know what kind of an experience it is. I can't give anything away about the show, and even if I could, I would not do so because I don't want to give anything away.

If you're in the area and you'd like to experience the show first-hand, when you reach the park during this season of Frightmares, go to the Séance ticket office because our show usually sells out within minutes of the ticket office opening--it's that popular. 

Over the years I've been involved in a lot of shows. 

This one is one in a million...

And you should see it.

"Séance" Has A New Home...Or, At Least, A New Homefront

Last year I was part of something amazing. I had heard about it beforehand, but I had no idea--none of us did--just how incredible the experience would be. There were five of us in all, and I knew (kind of...) only one before we started. By the time the show's run came to an end, I considered each a friend.

Strange how close you can get to a group when your job is scaring the bejeebers out of people.

But that's just what we did.

And now, it's time for the scaring to begin again. You can sense it--there's something in the air.

It's time for another séance.

Because the show had never been in Utah, almost no one had heard of it. It came from the brilliantly twisted mind of Joey Wartnerchaney, special effects genius and all-around great guy. He had been working with the Lagoon Amusement Park for several years designing both their summer shows and helping with Frightmares. Last season, though, he got to have his self-admitted "favorite show" open for us. I'm so glad he did. The show is flat-out awesome.

It's also tear-inducing, faculty-losing, mind-blowing scary.

Frightmares begins this Friday at Lagoon. If you want to see Séance, you'll need to get into the park and get a ticket. I should say that tickets go fast so getting a ticket for our show may be something you do when you first arrive. You can buy tickets at the entrance to the Arcade, or what we used to call the Penny Arcade. You can't miss our new home. They built an amazingly beautiful facade that houses both the ticket office and our front door. It's a fitting tribute to a great show!

Yes, there's something in the air.

It's time for another séance.

And I can't wait!

Meet Joey Wartnerchaney...Academy Award Winner This Week At FanX!

There are people out there--you know them--creative types. There's something about how their brain is wired that makes them, well...different. They can hear a story and envision a video game. They can look at a picture and see a feature film. They can visit a country and create a world.

I'd like to introduce you to one such individual. His name is Joey Wartnerchaney.

And he's coming to Salt Lake's FanX convention this week.

I first met Joey in 2014. Lagoon had just built their largest ride ever--the towering Cannibal rollercoaster. Because they expected record lines for this ride (and they were right...), Lagoon hired Joey to design an attraction for the throngs waiting for their ride. Joey came up with a show called The Rainmaker and they hired me and another employee to play the title character. 

Joey came up with an incredible show. He built a Model T out of a golf cart that included a stage, sound system, and water cannons. I entertained and cooled down audiences that summer. 

If you attended Lagoon's Frightmares last year and were lucky enough to get into their newest show Séance, you know you saw something rarely seen in Utah, or anywhere for that matter. Séance is something that must be experienced. It's a world-class haunt I was fortunate enough to be a part of. I saw adults leave the show in tears. I saw teenagers who showed such bravado as they entered rush from the show terrified. Hands down the best Halloween show around.

It came from Joey's mind.

Creating amazing amusement park attractions is just some of his accomplishments. Here's his bio:

JOSEPH WARTNERCHANEY  |  DIRECTOR

Joseph is a nationally-recognized film and live entertainment director, creator, and producer whose projects include the critically acclaimed Decay, Broadway’s Squirm Burpee a Vaudevillian Melodrama, Rock Band Live! (MTV), Séance; a Multi-Sensory Experience, Carnaval de Fuego, Survivor Live! (CBS Television), Conjure, and Cirque Innosta. His motion picture work includes all three films in the Sam Raimi-directed Spider-Man trilogy; Steven Spielberg’s A.I. Artificial Intelligence and The Terminal; Martin Scorsese’s The Aviator; Constantine; and The Italian Job. Joseph's collaborators in the television world include Quiznos Subs, McDonaldʼs, TLC and Turner Classic Movies. In 1999, Joseph co-founded the production company Homewrecker Films with partners Benjamin Smith and Rich Volp.  Since its onset, Homewrecker Films has won an Academy Award (Scientific and Engineering) for Technical Achievement, an Emmy Nomination, and received multiple film festival awards including “Best Picture” for Tuscaloosa at the New York International Independent Film Festival and the coveted “True Grit” award for his film Decay.

If you're going to attend this year's FanX convention in Salt Lake, please include Joey's panel, Friday, September 7, from 1pm to 2pm in Room 255A. It's a big room--bring your lunch and your friends and meet one of those truly creative people.

"The Italian Job" (The 2003 Version)...One Of My Favorites

I can't remember the first time I watched the 2003 version of The Italian Job, but I know it wasn't in the theater. I picked up a copy of the show--quite possibly from Blockbuster. I do know, however, that from the first time I watched it, I thought it was a great flick.

Channel surfing this afternoon I watched the ending--for me, the best part. It still holds up.

One thing I liked about the show was its originality. Of course, I heard some time later that the show was a re-make. I caught part of the original a few weeks ago. I suppose it was an exciting movie for its day, but after seeing the re-make, the original was not in the same league. 

The show has great shots, the pans of the Italian mountains after the heist, the boats on the canals of Venice, the overhead views of L.A. It's beautifully filmed. Years after I first saw the film I met Joey Wartnerchaney, a visual effects and imaginative genius. He worked on The Italian Job. I don't know what he did or how much he contributed to the film. I'll have to ask him when I see him.

There's obvious issues with the show, as with so many action-packed films. We don't see how they safely take the gold out of the city, other than they do. No one seems to notice a stolen cable truck for at least a day, and even the greatest planner could not anticipate a total lack of people being on an underground train platform as three cars fly by jumping in front of the slowing subway car just in time. But these are little things. I'm sure I didn't notice those things when I first watched the movie.

I did, however, come away with a love of Austin Minis. Ever since I saw the film, I've wanted one--not enough to actually pay for one, mind you. But it would be fun. Just like getting revenge of a scumbag who killed your friend by recruiting the daughter of the murdered friend, hacking into L.A.'s traffic system, putting several Californians and tourists in real danger, and blowing up a street wouldn't be at least a little fun, too...

But I wouldn't do that, either.

No--it's make believe, but each time I watch it, I'm drawn into the story. It's just a well-made film and it's one of my favorites.

A Fitting Farewell To An Amazing "Seance" Season...

For the past three years I have worked at Lagoon Amusement Park's Frightmares, their season-ending ode to Halloween. The first two years were fun, but this year was beyond fun, beyond anything I could have imagined. Simply put, I had a blast!

I've done my fair share of shows over the years. Almost all come with bittersweet endings. It's amazing how friendships can form in such a short period of time. You get used to doing the show and seeing each other and when you close the door to the theater you know you'll see everyone soon.

Until the show ends, then all bets are off.

Last night we prepped the stage like we've done each time before. We welcomed in the guests, sat them in their seats, then proceeded to scare the crap out of them. I'd feel bad, except the people have come willingly--even paid extra for the opportunity--to get the crap scared out of them.

I've blogged about the show before, but I've not said much about it. It seems others who have seen the show have kept quiet, too. I had the pleasure of greeting the patrons, getting to know them a little bit. Hardly anyone knew what they were in for--it's one of the reasons the show's been so successful. 

I also got to thank everyone for coming. When they came in before the show I saw smiles, apprehension, nervousness. When they left, their faces told different stories. I saw shock, terror, relief, and in many case, complete and utter awe at what they had just experienced. Sometimes I ran into those on the park who saw the show. We spoke as if we were included in some secret club, knowing things others don't. 

I looked at the crowds before they entered and if they hadn't seen the show, there's just no way they can possibly understand what they're in for. When I told them the show is like nothing they've ever experienced before, I meant it. I was confident is saying it. Because it was true.

Those with whom I performed the show were the absolute best! From the men and women who built the space, to the genius behind its conception, to those of us lucky enough to be chosen to put it on, all created something special, something well done, something memorable. And, with the exception of our first show, we couldn't have asked for better crowds to end this year's run--they were fantastic!

Hopefully, the show will return next September. They'll need a greeter, of course. I may or may not be that person. If not, I'll always remember the past eight weeks because the show was great and we all had a blast doing it.

Thanks Joey...For The Opportunity And The Bag Of Fun!

A few weeks ago I, along with three others, were given a bag full of Halloween goodies. The reason for the gift-giving was in appreciation for being in a show. The giver--the show's creator. The recipients--the cast.

The past couple of days I've been taking photographs of some of the items, chocolate skeletons, pencils, a skull mug. There are other goodies I haven't photographed--some really great stuff in that bag. A skull candle, a journal, Halloween magnets, a stress skull (instead of a stress ball...), a chocolate cat, and a skull masquerade mask, among other things were all inside.

But as cool as the stuff in the bag (even, the bag itself...), what was cooler was the gesture from the one who took time out of his day to go to the store, search for stuff, and put it all together for us. The man already gave me a great opportunity to earn a little extra cash and have a blast doing it. He didn't need to go the extra mile.

This simple act--whether intended or not--showed to me how much the show means to him. This realization requires me to show as much respect to him and to the production to make it as good as it can possibly be.

Thanks Joey and Whitney! We're doing our best to show everyone your best!

The Little Piece Of Plastic...That I Was So Excited To Get

A few days ago I chose for my "Pic Of The Day" a picture of a small piece of plastic and metal. I included with the picture the caption that I was SO excited to get this particular piece. I know it didn't make much sense--I got a few likes and a comment on the picture ion my Facebook page. Since it was confusing, I thought I'd explain a little bit.

I've blogged about a new project I'm working at Lagoon's Frightmares this fall. It's called Seance and I act as a guide for the show. On the first day I attended rehearsals, the show's creator, Joey, gave me a piece of equipment I would need to do the job. What was the first thing I did when I picked up the object that cost several hundred of dollars?

I broke it.

Ugh.

That is not the way to begin a show. Actually, it's one of the worst ways to start a show.

Luckily, I was able to rig it so it would work, but every time I picked it up, I was worried it would break again. It actually did a few times so I had to keep fixing it. Still, I thought it would be best if I could try and find the piece I broke. I checked out the manufacturer's website and gave them a call. I placed the call on Monday. The next time we did the show was Friday.

On Friday, before I left for work, I checked the mail and there it was. I was so happy because I was able to fix the problem without bugging the show's creator. This weekend, as we did show after show, the piece worked swimmingly.

You maybe thinking about what this particular piece goes to, or what was the piece of equipment that cost hundreds of dollars. And I'm not going to tell you. Telling you would give away something about the show, and that's the last thing I want to do. But I will say, because of my stupid mistake and a company's great customer service, I did a weekend of shows with one less thing to worry about.

Lagoon Frightmares "Seance"...Like Nothing You've Seen Before!

A few weeks ago I wrote about Lagoon's newest Frightmares attraction, Seance. I didn't write much--we were right in the middle of rehearsals. Since then we've been doing shows Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

In short, it's the best show in the entire park.

And the scariest, too!

Today Lagoon released a promotional video on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. I've filmed it and included it, but you can see the better version by clicking: HERE. If you're on Facebook check out Lagoon's Facebook page. There's more than an hundred comments on Seance alone. It's the kind of show that generates a lot of buzz. You can find the comments: HERE. 

I'm sort of a guide for the show. I talk to people before they go in. Many times they ask me questions about what it's like. I don't say much. Most of the fun is not knowing what's going to happen. If you like to be scared, you'll love it. I guarantee you've never experienced anything like this before.

Check out Seance. It's, as more than one Frightmares guest told me after seeing the show, "worth every penny."