A new rock opera debuting in November at Joe’s Movement Emporium retells the history of the infamous Mount Rainier-area exorcism.
“The Haunted Boy,” which will run for six shows starting Nov. 11, is centered on the story of a local family that brought in a priest to fight what they believed was a demonic possession in the 1940s.
A news account of that incident inspired William Peter Blatty’s 1971 horror novel, which was made into the movie “The Exorcist.” The local connection was in the news again last year when a couple, not knowing the history, bought a house just off Route 1 that was associated with it.
The rock opera uses the story as a jumping off point for a different fictional account, which was the brainchild of musician Tom Liddle, who lives in Mount Rainier not far from the home where the events are supposed to have taken place.
Liddle, who plays in the band Run Come See, asked other D.C.-area musicians to contribute songs for the rock opera, including members of the bands Stranger in the Alps, The Bumper Jacksons, Fellow Creates and Ugly Purple Sweater, giving a mix of musical styles, ranging from show tunes to Americana ballads and epic rockers.
The show will play Nov. 11-13 and 18-20 at Joe’s Movement Emporium in Mount Rainier. Tickets are available online here.
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