13 - HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL by Michael Susko (Ep. 43)

101 Stage Adaptations

Melissa Schmitz chats with the very talented Michael Susko this week about his world premiere production—which happens to be his first adaptation—and also a story that he's loved for most of his life, House on Haunted Hill.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Michael "got" the dramatic rights to the original film
• The changes and updates he made to this adaptation
• How a séance show at the Edinburgh Fringe influenced Michael's writing
• Current trends in playwriting and our hot takes on them

And more!

Resources Mentioned

The world premiere of House on Haunted Hill at Kismet Performing Artists Theatre in October 2023
Clifton Arts Center
House on Haunted Hill original film
Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
ATC Studios

About Our Guest

In NYC, Michael Susko's work as writer and director has been seen at Off-Broadway's THE BIGOT, CROSSING OVER, F*CK, MARRY, KILL - New York Theater Festival, Midtown International Fringe Festival, Alternative Theatre Company, Network Theatre Company, Equity Library Theatre and The New Short Play Festival (Artistic Director). Also, Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, Theatre Under the Stars, Casa Manana, Cider Mill Playhouse, Theatre by the Sea, PaperMill Theatre, Westchester Broadway, Arizona Broadway, Arkansas Repertory, and twelve years as resident director of the New Bedford Festival Theatre where he helmed a variety of musicals, including their Moss Hart Award winning productions of HAIRSPRAY and LES MISERABLES.
As a performer, Michael has been seen in several Broadway national tours, European tours, and countless regional appearances including stints at The Goodspeed Opera House, Paper Mill Playhouse, Walnut Street Theatre, Bristol Riverside, Ogunquit Playhouse, Sacramento Music Circus, Pittsburgh CLO, and Stages St. Louis. Also, many film, television shows and commercials.
As an educator, Michael taught theatre at Chadron State College in Nebraska and served as head of the theatre program at Southern Arkansas University. He teaches playwriting at ATC Studios in Clifton, NJ. MFA i

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