Meathook: A Melodrama | HKPG gallery mockup

2005 / HKPG selected work

Meathook: A Melodrama

An HKPG work by Matthew Fontaine, Tamara Paris, and collaborators
Presented by Open Circle Theater, Seattle
April 22–May 21, 2005

Three performers in translucent raincoats on stage.

It is 1973. At the Wyoming State Hospital for the Criminally Insane, Professor Harlan Handsome, haunted by the mistakes of his past, works to rehabilitate a convicted murderer. When the killer escapes, a bloody tornado of horror is unleashed, forcing Harlan to confront his destiny and leaving a trail of death incarnadine through the picturesque Wyoming mountains.

An all-singing, all-slaughtering musical extravaganza!

Loosely based on William Girdler’s Three on a Meathook.

Production history

Developed by Matthew Fontaine and Tamara Paris, with an earlier workshop production at Open Circle Theater in 2004 under the title Six Million Meathooks. Rewritten with music by Matthew Fontaine and Tom Prince for the 2005 production, presented by Open Circle Theater.

Credits

Written and directed by Matthew Fontaine and Tamara Paris
Music by Matthew Fontaine and Tom Prince
Musical direction: Tom Prince

Performers

Aaron Allshouse: Mama’s Boy
Sarah Behrendt: Nurse Jane Friday
Deniece Bleha: Ma
Rachel Hynes: Debbie Desroches
John McKenna: Pa / Dean Chappel
Sam Read: Professor Harlan Handsome
Ron Sandahl: Einer Penzyltecke
Lisa Sanphillippo: Becky Berkeley

Band

Tom Prince: keyboard
Brandon G: guitar
Jimmy Gilbertson: drums

Production

Stage managers: Dante Nava and Tom Klein
Lighting: Katie Davis
Set: Jason Thiroux
Costumes: Amy LaZerte
Masks: Patrick Broemeling
Choreography: Carrie Christianson
Poster: Jeremy Eaton
Promotional photography: Bootsy Holler

A seated character looks toward the audience beside a desk and a standing character.Meathook performers stand across the stage holding signs.A seated character and a standing character face each other beside orange chairs.A character in a torn jacket holds a coiled cord.A character leans over a table in a pool of stage light.Two characters face each other in a close-up from Meathook.Meathook performers stand together on stage.Meathook performers in translucent raincoats surrounded by red stage light and mist.One character carries another across the stage.The Meathook cast stands together on stage.