Carol Barnes has an important announcement for scaredy-cats like me. Don’t panic over Breakthrough Theatre Company’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Horror” opening Oct. 17.

“There’s no knife slashing or blood flowing, no severed heads … there’s nothing gory,” says Barnes, who is directing and acting in several of the eight short plays that make up the program. “The plays are primarily humorous.”

Then, she adds a warning: “But it could kind of creep you out here and there.” Cue the unsettling organ chords.

This spooky smorgasbord is the latest in Breakthrough’s “Crazy Little” series which spotlights short, new works. For five years the series presented plays about love. Then in a turn toward the dark side, murder was the theme during the past two years. This year, in a nod to the season, horror was chosen.

If you’re a horror-movie fan, these three guys (played by Jessie Ehrenberg, from left, Daniel Royal and Comall Mcfarlane) look frighteningly familiar. They are featured in “Final Girls,” one of the short plays in “Crazy Little Thing Called Horror” at Breakthrough Theatre in Winter Park. (Courtesy Carol Barnes via Breakthrough Theatre Co.)

It proved a popular idea: More than 300 submissions were received. (I guess a lot of playwrights have inner demons?)

“It was incredible,” says Barnes, who was on the selection committee. “We were stunned.”

The entries were whittled down to eight — a number that already provides plenty of logistical challenges. Barnes is trying to keep track of eight playwrights, four directors and 21 actors.

“And everybody has … interesting ... schedules,” she says with a laugh.

Jenn McGinnis and Kyle Kleckner are interrupted by the title character in “The Swamp Monster,” played by Lynne Edinger. It’s one of the short plays in Breakthrough Theatre’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Horror.” (Courtesy Carol Barnes via Breakthrough Theatre)

Along with the humor — picture Freddy Krueger and Jason Vorhees in a support group, for example — comes a play that is more spooky (about a boy who awakens from a coma) and one that is more thoughtful. “The Ghost’s Delight” deals with connection and loneliness in humans … and other creatures.

“It’s more thought-provoking,” Barnes says. “It’s something everyone can associate with.”

Barnes has an affinity for short plays, especially when working in community theater; each of these runs 10-15 minutes, she says. The length makes them a good way for theater newbies to give performing or directing a try.

Soph Rubin-Segal, lurking in the background, stars with otherworldly Carla Davis in “The Ghost’s Delight,” one of the short plays in “Crazy Little Thing Called Horror” at Breakthrough Theatre in Winter Park. (Courtesy Nishit Tailor via Breakthrough Theatre Co.)

“I love seeing new people come in,” she says. “It’s a way to get your feet wet.”

The pace with short plays is also a benefit: “It’s ba-boom, ba-boom, ba-boom, a twist, and we’re on to the next one,” she says, adding that in the horror genre — even in the humorous horror genre — “there’s always a twist.”

The sets for each play all will be on view across the Breakthrough stage for the entire program to keep the action flowing without scene-change delays — and also to tease the audience.

In “Shhh,” Carol Barnes, from left, Jenn McGinnis, Vincent Cox, Jessie Ehrenberg and Felicia Melcer tell the story of a mysterious boy who awakes from a coma … different. “Shhh” is one of the short plays in “Crazy Little Thing Called Horror” at Breakthrough Theatre in Winter Park. (Courtesy Breakthrough Theatre Co.)

“It gives the audience a chance to say, ‘What’s that going to mean? Why is there a bottle of wine with one glass full and one glass empty?’”

Don’t believe everything you see, though: “There will be red herrings on the set, as well,” Barnes says with a laugh — or, wait, is that a cackle?

Then, she reiterates that there’s nothing to fear.

“We’re not going to jump out and scare you,” she promises. “Think of it as spooky, rather than scary.”

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OK, be brave and take a look at the eight short plays in Breakthrough Theatre Company’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Horror.”

“Couple’s Scareapy”: Conor Moore’s play envisions Frankenstein’s monster and his bride attending couples counseling to repair their fractured relationship. However, the therapist has other ideas.

“Final Girls Anonymous”: Carla Davis sets her play at a support-group meeting. Things take an interesting turn when the participating women — those last survivors in horror films — band together “to take care of” those who have wronged them.

“The Ghost’s Delight”: In Derek Ehlmann’s dark comedy about fear and connection, a goth woman traps a ghost in her basement to help it move on. Instead, eerie and flirtatious banter develops — shining a light on their loneliness.

Lynne Edinger, from left, Shauni Ramai, Angela Oldeack, Ilana Jael and Carla Davis get creative in “Final Girls,” one of the short plays in “Crazy Little Thing Called Horror” at Breakthrough Theatre in Winter Park. (Courtesy Carol Barnes via Breakthrough Theatre Co.)

“Night of the Living Dudes”: Nick has a history of bringing home odd, new roommates to the space he shares with friends Katie and Logan. But he’s outdone himself this time, in Soph Ruben-Siegel’s mockumentary-style show.

“Not Another Scream Parody”: Fresh from a breakup, Terry receives a disturbing phone call from someone who wants to play a game (sound familiar?) in this play by Kyle Louis Kleckner.

“Shhh”: When a comatose boy awakens, his parents are overjoyed — until he starts saying things that make them think he’s not their child at all. Brad White’s play asks who is he? And is he alone?

“The Swamp Monster”: Larry Stallings writes about a normal Thursday night for Harold and Sybil — until an unexpected guest knocks at their door.

“Three Witches and the Drunken Porter”: Inspired by Shakespeare, Tommy Lee Atha’s play finds three weird sisters dancing around their cauldron awaiting a certain Scotsman when their revelry is interrupted by a drunken porter who has lost his way. Double, double, toil and trouble …

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If you go

What: “Crazy Little Thing Called Horror,” an evening of original short plays
Where: Breakthrough Theatre, 6900 Aloma Ave. in Winter Park
When: Oct. 17-Nov. 3
Cost: $14-$20
Info: breakthroughtheatre.com

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/10/13/crazy-thing-called-horror-breakthrough-theatre/