‘It’s a Scream!’ @ Pocket Sandwich Theatre

Photos courtesy of Pocket Sandwich Theatre

Hannah Kneen

It’s A Scream!: A Horror-bly Funny Comedy has made its way to the stage at Pocket Sandwich Theatre this season—and lives up to the advertising of its title. Written by David Deboy and directed by Staci Ingram, this show is set in 1957 in the eerie home of Alexander Moreau, an aging horror-movie star with a lot of scares left to share.

The major conflict of the play arises between the characters of Spencer Pierce (Travis Cook) and Alexander Moreau (David H.M. Lambert). Pierce has recently inherited his father’s film studio and is making big changes; he’s sure he knows how to produce a movie far better than Dad ever did. One of the first changes Pierce has in mind is getting rid of Moreau, the studio’s biggest star and a huge horror buff both onscreen and off.

But Moreau is as reluctant to lose his job as Pierce is determined to fire him, and comes up with a plan that involves his large, dark, and uniquely spooky mansion…which might just be his best “sidekick.” After some back-and-forths, the two men come to an agreement: ifvMoreau can genuinely scare the living daylights out of Pierce by the end of a night spent at the mansion, he will keep his job—and his creative freedom at the studio.

What follows is a night full of funny frights. Pierce is joined by his easily-scared chauffeur Maxie (Jorge Martin Lara), who has a very entertaining dynamic with Moreau’s spooky housekeeper Maria Yocknestor (Christine Bush). They are all joined by would-be movie star Elizabeth Borden (Sav Stringer): she’s stowed away in the trunk of Pierce’s car, hoping to get in good him as a way to make it big in the movies he makes. All of them are swiftly pulled into Moreau’s project of getting a Scream! out of Pierce.

Lambert’s Moreau is the perfect picture of a classy but eccentric old star, right down to the smoking jacket and the ease with which he commands attention. In what was probably my favorite scene of the show (and just before embarking on his attempt to scare Pierce into letting him keep his job) Moreau gives us all a rundown on the basics of good horror. That the precepts he shares match the basics of good comedy is a clever detail that suits the horror-comedy genre of the play itself.

Travis Cook’s portrayal of Spencer Pierce showcases the character's sardonic humor as well as his desperate need to prove himself; remember, he’s the son who’s taken over his father’s movie studio. Lara’s Maxie plays off of Pierce beautifully and matches Bush’s Maria just as well. Sav Stinger’s Elizabeth Borden is a lively shock of fresh air to the show as well. The production's cast of colorful characters work together to create a very entertaining whole.

To top things off, the tech in this show is full of fun little nods to the classic horror genre. There are spooky sound effects galore and some wonderfully creepy voice modifications and lighting effects. (Rose Mahaffey did lighting design, and Nikki DeShea Smith the sound.) Set pieces shift and move seemingly without reason. (Set design by Rodney Dobbs, props by director Ingram, “technicals” by Greg Rogers.) The mansion is, of course, crammed with horror-movie memorabilia and all sorts of ghoulish doodads. It’s great fun wondering what set piece or prop is going to feature in the evening’s frights.

The play does have its cheesy moments, but I found they served the story well instead of diminishing it. You’ll have to suspend your disbelief a bit for the wild turns the plot takes, but it’s all in good fun.

It’s a Scream! is wacky and silly, with tricks and twists that keep the audience smiling and waiting for more. It suits the communal atmosphere of Pocket Sandwich Theatre and makes a lovely show to spend an evening on, along with some good food and maybe a fun drink or a sweet dessert. Fans of horror and fans of comedy alike are in for a good time with this “horror-bly funny” show!

[Editor’s note: We’re edging into the spooky season of theatre; watch for The Werewolf of London coming at PST after Scream!, and many more fright-fests from companies all over North Texas…leading up to Halloween, of course.]

WHEN: August 28 - September 26, 2026
WHERE: Pocket Sandwich Theatre, Historic Downtown Carrollton Square
1104 Elm Street, Carrollton, TX 75006
WEB: https://www.pocketsandwich.com/itsascream