Artistic Director and Co-Founder, Brian Newell talks about the return of ‘Plan 9 From Outer Space‘ at The Maverick Theater, in Fullerton, CA.
The Maverick Theater, a community-driven venue founded in 2002 by Artistic Director Brian Newell and his business partner Jim Book, is now in its 24th year and its 19th year at its current location. My first experience at The Maverick was attending ‘Superman: The Musical‘ on opening night in their inaugural year at their original location, The Block of Orange, now known as The Outlets of Orange. The show was delayed for roughly 25 minutes as they were still figuring out how to make Superman fly, and they did an excellent job in doing so.
Currently, the Maverick is reviving its original adaptation of Ed Wood’s notorious 1959 film, ‘Plan 9 From Outer Space‘. Often cited as one of the worst films ever made, this “classic” is reimagined for the stage as a playful horror comedy from August 30 to September 8, 2024.
We went down memory lane with Newell about their time at The Block of Orange, the move to Fullerton, CA and how these adaptations have created a unique experience for audience members. Sometimes, you will catch people talking back to the actors, but remember, theater goers, you are not apart of the show and a genuine reaction is far different than audience participation.
The Maverick Theater, which features a cabaret stage and a black box stage, moved to its permanent Fullerton location on June 23, 2005, debuting with ‘The Rocky Horror Show‘. Known for its inventive stage adaptations of classic films, The Maverick, has presented annual Halloween favorites like ‘Night of the Living Dead‘ and Christmas traditions such as ‘Santa Claus Conquers the Martians‘.
The production features the Maverick Light & Magic team’s unique “Staged Cinema Scope,” projecting live miniature sets onto a large rear screen. This creates a visually captivating experience where actors interact with dynamic backdrops like eerie graveyards and flying saucers.
Directed and adapted by Newell, ‘Plan 9 From Outer Space‘ opens on August 30 and runs through September 8, 2024, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $20, with a $10 discount for students with a current I.D. Tickets can be purchased online at www.mavericktheater.com or by calling 714-526-7070.
The Maverick Theater is across from the Amtrak station in historic Downtown Fullerton.
The Maverick Theater is located at:
110 E. Walnut
Fullerton, CA 92832
