Screenplays by Rod Serling and George Clayton Johnson.

"This highway leads to the shadowy tip of reality; you're on a through route to the land of the different, the bizarre, the unexplainable . . . Go as far as you like on this road. Its limits are only those of the mind itself. Ladies and gentlemen, you're entering the wondrous dimension of imagination. Next stop 'The Twilight Zone'."

Rod Serling.........Eddie Freund

Why do people still remember the trailing voice and shadowy face of Rod Serling? He is an icon, having articulated his words of wisdom before a captive audience of close to 18 million people every week from 1959 to 1964. The Allied Forces had just won the second World War, and the "Baby Boomer Generation" was on the way. As American soldiers returned home collapsing in on their nuclear families, alienation divided the community as a whole. Distrust and fear lingered in society, accentuating the swing of focus on the advancement of the individual vs. society as a whole. This egocentric value system contrasted with that of the Soviet Block, laying the foundation for American sentiments during the Red Scare and the ensuing Cold War. "The Twilight Zone" was perhaps the first television show to deal with these issues of distrust, alienation, and fear of the unknown.

"A though, a glance, and a look."
Ron Miller, Scott Branchfield, Meagan Wheeler

In their screenplays, Rod Serling and George Clayton Johnson, the authors of "The Twilight Zone," repeatedly claimed that trust in common humanity is the only escape from isolation and loss. It is this message of hope that has left the eery tune of "The Twilight Zone" ringing in the ears of countless millions since its original run.

Contradictory to the original television media, a mode of entertainment which has only furthered the isolation of the individual, the Red Octopus Theatre Company chose to put four of the 156 episodes on the stage. All four episodes were produced in the Studio Theatre at the Newport Performing Arts Center, February 13 through February 28, 1998.

"The Obsolete Man"
Subaltern.........Meagan Wheeler
Justin Beard, Bradley W. Bishop..........Guards
Mary Eastman........Chancellor

"The Obsolete Man" illustrates the hypocrytical judgement of a common man, culminating in the execution that follows. In "Nothing in the Dark", an old woman is introduced to the angel of death amidst her paranoid refusal to die."Nick of Time" challenges common superstitions with the strength and beliefs that one finds in those he (or she) truely loves."A Penny for Your Thoughts" gives us insites into the advantages and disadvantages of knowing other peoples thoughts.

"The Cast and Crew"
The entire cast (by show) is as follows:

Nothing in the Dark
By George Clayton Johnson, Directed by Ernie Brown & Bradley W. Bishop

Wanda.........Mary Eastman (Courtesy of Actors Equity)
Harriet Beldon.........Meagan Wheeler
Man.........Greg Covell

Nick of Time
By Richard Matheson, Directed by Scott Branchfield

Don.........Justin Beard
Pat.........Amy Hanrahan
Waitress.........Bo Harrington
Mechanic.........Ron Miller
Customer.........Bradley W. Bishop
Desperate Couple.........Sharlei Malovoz & Ernie Brown

A Penny For Your Thoughts
By George Clayton Johnson, Directed by Bo Harrington

Hector B. Pool.........Scott Branchfield
Driver.........Meagan Wheeler
Bagby.........Ernie Brown
Miss Turner.........Amy Hanrahan
Brand.........Justin Beard
Sykes.........Bradley W. Bishop
Smithers Ron.........Miller
Guard.........Greg Covell

Obsolete Man
By Rod Serling, Directed by Greg Covell

Romney Wordsworth.........Greg Covell
Chancellor.........Mary Eastman (Courtesy of Actors Equity)
Subaltern.........Meagan Wheeler
Guards.........Bradley W. Bishop, Amy Hanrahan, Sharlei Malovoz

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(Photo's courtesy of Nancy Jane Reid)