REVIEW: OPECHEE HAUNT: within our walls
JULY 27, 2022
review: OPECHEE HAUNT: within our walls
A few years ago the Southern California haunt scene exploded with a new generation of builders. Their refreshing talent not only added to the fruitful creativity of the region's DIY Halloween attractions, but it also brought new levels of excitement uniquely captured through the incredible ideas and determination of a younger generation. One of these creators, Sam Kellman of Opechee Haunt, has been creating new and innovative haunts in Glendale for all to enjoy. Built within the modest space of his parents’ front yard, Opechee Haunt has been consistently pushing the boundaries of interactive experiences, mazes, comedy, and illusion.
Kellman is now a college student and no longer lives with his parents - which made us wonder if Opechee Haunt would continue. However, since he is in Glendale on a summer break, Kellman took the opportunity to create one of his annual Halloween-themed creations for the month of July. His latest project, “Within Our Walls”, is a suspenseful voyage of immersive theater located within an abandoned carpet factory off of Interstate 5.
As a builder who has always incorporated elements of theater, mazes, and displays, Kellman sets the bar high for himself. Within Our Walls is a deeply engaging experience brought to life through meticulous attention to detail. The build is structured like a haunted house, within which you enter by walking behind the dark, rat-infested walls. As observers from within the walls, you are able to witness the story of the family who inhabits the house by looking through holes into the family's home.
The spectacular live action actors reveal the family’s disturbing and anxiety-ridden reality: an immobile grandmother who’s slowly dying on the couch, a marriage falling apart, and a missing daughter who was recently found murdered. The syncopated lighting and sound design greatly enhance the dark mood created by the actors. Dim illuminations interact with sounds and at one point reveal a supernatural entity whose origin we won’t spoil for you.
Within Our Walls once again proves that Kellman and his Opechee Haunt offer a world of limitless imagination - continuing his legacy within the Southern California haunt community. You never know what incarnation Opechee will take, but rest assured that it will always be executed with incredible precision, compelling creativity, and a deep dedication to engaging storytelling.
VC
July 27, 2022
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