It's hard to imagine monsters with insecurity issues. But Fondren Theatre Workshop rolls out an entire cast of them in The Monster Monologues.
"It's a very fun show and highlights talented local actors and writers," said Beth Kander, the director and one of seven writers who collaborated on the play. "It features classic movie monsters that are supposed to be eternally famous. Yet many fear they're past their prime.
"They ask surprisingly human questions: 'Am I still relevant?' 'What's next for me?' 'Will my wife ever forgive me for giving her fleas?' Hopefully we'll see the show take off in other cities for many Halloweens to come."
Fourteen monsters, including Dracula, will deliver humorous monologues.
The Fondren Theatre Workshop began in 2003 in an attempt to create a theater community in Fondren, said Diana Howell, the co-producer of Fondren Theatre Workshop. She and her husband, John—another contributor to The Monster Monologues—have lived in Fondren for more than a decade.
"Our first performance was Through the Looking Glass, a musical that John wrote," Howell said. "We put on three or four plays a year and don't have a permanent home, so attendance ranges from 30 to 300 depending on the venue."
Seating is limited to 35, so credit card reservations are required to guarantee seats.
Fifteen actors and a dozen or so crew and support staff will be involved in the performances.
"Danny Dauphin and I played around for a year with what was going to be a superheroes project, and we could never finish it," said Fondren resident Opie Cooper.
"Once all seven of us writers began working together, though, it all came together. We took two monsters each for The Monster Monologues. I think people will be surprised at how the story makes sense in a creepy, monster-like way."
