The Costa Mesa Playhouse presents 'Woman in Black' 10/30

Press release:

Costa Mesa, CA—Stephen Mallattrat's acclaimed play, THE WOMAN IN BLACK, from the novel by Susan Hill, has been frightening audiences in London's West End for 20 years and is now coming to Orange County to haunt the Costa Mesa Playhouse on Halloween.

"One of the most brilliantly effective spine-chillers you will ever encounter." - The Daily Telegraph.

Fog and creepy haunted houses, supernatural happenings, sea mists and dark stormy nights, lonely funerals and creaking attic doors, all combine in this gripping adaptation of Susan Hill's thrilling story to create a play that taps our primal fears. A grieving lawyer believes a curse has been cast over him and his family by the spectre of a woman in black. In an attempt to exorcise the spirit he engages a skeptical young actor to help him tell his story. His plan begins innocently enough, but as the border between reality and fantasy blur, the horror starts and the flesh begins to creep.

The Woman in Black treads in the footsteps of classic ghost stories. It relies on atmosphere, a vivid sense of place, on hints and glimpses and suggestions, on what is shadowy, heard and sometimes only half-seen, to chill the audience’s blood to the marrow. It is not for the faint of heart.

The Woman in Black is directed by Stephen Hulsey and stars playhouse veterans Ed McBride and Jaycob Hunter. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm, October 30 through November 22, 2009. Tickets are $18 general admission, $16 for students, seniors and for all seats at the Oct. 30 preview performance, and $13 per person for groups of ten or more. For the special October 31 Halloween opening night gala, featuring a champagne reception, tickets are $23. Reservations can be made online at www.costamesaplayhouse.org or by calling 949-650-5269. The Playhouse is located at 661 Hamilton Street in Costa Mesa.

Michael L. Quintos--based out of Orange County, California--is a quiet, mild-mannered Art Director by day. But as night falls, he occasionally struts his stuff on various stages everywhere, performing as a Counter-Tenor soloist, actor, and dancer for The Men Alive Chorus since 2002. He's sung everything from Broadway, Jazz, R&B, Classical, Gospel and Pop. His musical theater roots started at a very young age, performing in various school musical productions and a couple of nationally-televised programs. The performing bug eventually brought him a brief championship run in the Philippines' version of "Star Search" before moving to Las Vegas at age 11. College brought him out to Southern California, where he earned a BFA in Graphic Design and a BA in Film Screenwriting. He has spent several years as a designer and art director for various entertainment company clients, while spending his free time watching or performing in shows.