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LEWISBURG -- If the ghosts and goblins of Halloween don't provide enough horror, there is always "Heidi's Monkeys."
"Heidi's Monkeys" will be presented at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow and Saturday, with a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Sunday at the Greenspace Center, 815 Market St., Lewisburg.
This homespun horror tale is the brainchild of Matthew Lysiak, a Danville native and former journalist for the New York Daily News, who has penned "Heidi's Monkeys" based upon his recollection of an eerie childhood experience.
As an eight year old, Lysiak believes that he witnessed stuffed monkeys, which his father gave to him, jumping off the book shelf and trying to climb onto his bed.
Reportedly, a clairvoyant claimed that the phenomenon was likely caused by "dark energy," which attached to the toy monkeys which his father had bought in Italy as a gift.
Three of the original "haunted" monkeys will be used in his weekend's performances.
This is the fourth consecutive year that "Heidi's Monkeys" has been staged, although Lysiak notes that each year features some notable variations in the script. And for the first time, Lysiak, who has always solely penned the script, is joined by Bridget Reddon as co-author of this year's version.
The two-act drama focuses upon young Heidi Mayerson, who suffers from a rare medical condition. So does she really experience the monkeys sending a message from the grave? Heidi's descent into madness adds a chilling effect to this tension-filled thriller.
Isabel Rose Lysiak again heads the cast as the disturbed youngster in this psychological thriller. Featured in the cast are Brad Wakeman, Amy Straub, Ramsey Uhter, Brynn Umholtz, Taijaf Able, Ben Hartman and Hilde Lysiak.
Stephan Eisenhower directs this production of "Heidi's Monkeys."
"Stephan has worked in 'Heidi's Monkeys' from the very first year. With his work at the Lewisburg theater (RiverStage), I thought he would be a great choice to direct the show, and we certainly have not been disappointed," says Lysiak.
The show is rated "PG" for profanity, excessive blood, and horror.
"As in preceding years, we measure the success of 'Heidi's Monkeys' not as much by the amount of applause, as by how many people leave the theater in shock or thoroughly disturbed by the psychological horror they've experienced," notes Lysiak.
Tickets can be ordered online and will also be available at the box office prior to each performance.
For more information mlysiaknydn@gmail.com or visit www.brownpapertickets.com