VEILS OF THE UNKNOWN – Write Act Repertory at the Brickhouse Theatre
Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck
Write Act Repertory has another World Premiere of One-Acts for the popular annual critically acclaimed Cringe Festival Series (2026). VEILS OF THE UNKNOWN, a chilling and thought-provoking anthology of six original one-act plays making their world premiere. Each tale explores the uncanny, the unsettling, and the otherworldly—where reality bends and the unknown takes center stage. From psychological horror to speculative fiction, Veils of the Uknown invites audiences to confront the fears that lurk just beyond the veil. Each play is a standalone journey into the macabre, yet together they form a tapestry of dread, wonder, and revelation. (18+)
Producing Artistic Director John Lant brings us another fun show this fall season–a collection of six interesting, very unusual scenes, and they feel like ‘new’ tales. The Cringe Fest 2026 is written by Jonathan Harrison, Susan C. Hunter and David Lvov, Dmitry Parkhomchuck, and Abigael Peltonen. The producers of the show are David Lvov, Dmitry Parkhomchuk, and Susan Gasparyan.
As always, we have two acts, a host and the scenes. But we also have new technical advances – special effects projected on the back of wall which transform us into a totally new environment. Adam Kroksh is enjoying being the Cringe Host.
What starts us off is Frank Soup, written by Jonathan Harrison and directed by Abigail Peltonen. Jonathan Harrisson portrays Dr. Frankenstein and Adam Kroksh plays his assistant Ygor. Grace Major and Alyssa Lomosad are Mr. and Mrs. Hill, and Alexander Rhys is narrator. On a dark and stormy night Dr. Frankenstein and his assistant, Ygor, discover the secret of life through the science of the theater. Sounds of thunder and the flickering blue lighting, unveil the mysteries in his laboratory. Everyone puts a lot of effort into the characters … Harrison and Kroksh are playing off of each other and creating a fun outcome. Great job everyone!
The second scene in Act 1, Ghost and Guilt Story, written by Trevor Murphy and directed by Susan C. Hunter. A daughter (Isabella Geldbach) is haunted by a meeting with her father in a restaurant. They both present their emotional impact in remembering the feeling of being together. Geldbach’s hurt is fully expressed, while her father (Trevor Young) shows his ignorance with his interest being totally somewhere else. Brilliant job by both actors!
The third scene is That Certain Glow, a touching romance between two Halloween pumpkins on the porch, expressed with so much enthusiasm and charm, until Midnight Max, the local street cat, arrives to destroy their love. Written by Susan C. Hunter and directed by Katie Bogard Ward, Mary Nakanishi (Hallie-a pumpkin) is adorable, beautiful to watch, very amusing and expressive. Gilad Nilo is Jack (the other pumpkin), and Midnight Max is played by Elizaveta Young. Great trio, enjoyable one act!
After the 15-minute intermission, the second act begins with Insomnia, written by Gilad Nilo and directed by Sochima Ukeje, where two sleep-deprived strangers trapped in a sleep clinic for overnight observation break protocol by talking to each other. They reveal their nightmares, as well as their dreams, and discover they may be more similar than they believed. Another wonderful one act!
Jason Faces Societal Pressure, written by Annsh Maithani and directed by Timur Badanov, is a scene of a serial killer Jason (Dionysius Vlachos), who goes through an identity crisis on Halloween and ends up having therapy with a girl whose name is Heather (Karla Isabel Bermudez), who he kidnapped wearing a Donald Duck costume. With her upbeat and childlike personality, Heather takes the situation into her own hands and manipulates the outcome. Well done!
And the very last scene, Honey, I’m Dead, this one act reflects on the taping of a beloved sitcom’s Halloween special, where a supporting actor is possessed by the vengeful spirit of a cast member who died onstage ten years earlier. We have a cast of five in this scene. Gary is played by Alexander Rhys, Gilad Nilo portrays Ben, Jessica is Alyssa Lomosad, Elizabeth is Grace Major and Hype Man is Adam Kroksh. The entertaining one act is written and directed by Dmitry Parkhomchuk and David Lvov.
Lights and Sound are by Zen George, Props and Décor by Thomas Noel IV, Stage Manager is Nas Parvizi and casting by Marquice Perrera with eternal thanks to Interns Yahli Ambu and Mia Fantini. Sandra Kuker-Franco is Public Relations.
Write Act Repertory, an artist-based organization with over 100 volunteers whose members include Producers, Writers, Actors, Directors, Designers and Crew Personnel, is in its 27th season. This theatre company specializes in and is dedicated to the development of original plays, lesser-known works by established writers, adaptations of classical-themed materials and musicals. It provides its members with the opportunity to produce and create original scripts developed and premiered exclusively with professional artists in LA & NYC.
Write Act Repertory at the Brickhouse Theatre, 10950 Peach Grove Street in North Hollywood, CA 91601. The show only has a short run, closing October 25, 2026. So, if you want to see it, hurry, performances are on Fridays 7:30PM, Saturdays 7:30PM, Sundays 2:00PM. This is the last weekend. The show is fun and entertaining!
Run-time is approximately 110 minutes with intermission. Refreshments will be served.
Tickets: $25 General / $30 at the door
Link: https://www.simpletix.com/e/cringe-fest-2026-veils-of-the-unknown-tickets-294347