(top, l to r) Adam Hinkle, Andrew Bailes, Brian Hinkle, Collin Quinn Rice, Dan Cobbler, Ella Raymont and Henry Greenberg (bottom, l to r) Julian Stroop, Katie Gonzalez, Laura Nelson, Lisa McConnell, Michael Reyes, Patrick Kelly and Shaina Schrooten.

Strawdog Theatre Company has announced casting for its world premiere of MASQUE MACABRE, inspired by the works of Edgar Allan Poe. “The handlers of a ‘bad boy’ entrepreneur go to extremes to give him one last big bash before his past catches up to him,” says the plot description. It’s to be an immersive experience similar to New York’s now-famous SLEEP NO MORE. Audience members will travel from room to room throughout the space and follow stories of revenge and murder as they play out in real time.

MASQUE MACABRE is written by Aly Greaves Amidei, John Henry Roberts, and Cara Beth Heath, and directed by Anderson Lawfer, Janet Howe and Eli Newell. The cast will feature Andrew Bailes, Dan Cobbler, Katie Gonzalez, Henry Greenberg, Adam Hinkle, Brian Hinkle, Patrick Kelly, Lisa McConnell, Laura Nelson, Ella Raymont, Michael Reyes, Collin Quinn Rice, Shaina Schrooten and Julian Stroop. The production team includes Virginia Varland (costume designer), Claire Chrzan, Shelbi Arndt and Daniel Friedman (lighting designers), Heath Hays (sound designer), Tom Burch (scenic designer), Kyle Hamman (video/media designer), Lacie Hexom (props designer), Bobby Wilhelmson (violence designer), Kate Lass (intimacy designer), Mike Sanow (technical director) and Megan Gray (stage manager).

“MASQUE MACABRE is the most ambitious project in our 31-year history,” said Strawdog Co-Artistic Director Michael Dailey. “We’re thrilled to share the immersive and horrifying world of MASQUE with Chicago audiences. With fourteen storylines playing out in real time throughout our entire space, you could see this show multiple times and come out with a totally different experience each time.”

MASQUE MACABRE will play October 4 – 31, 2018 at Strawdog’s new home at 1802 W. Berenice Ave. Tickets are available at www.strawdog.org.