Perhaps you know the story? The tragic tale of Orpheus and Eurydice—the original “star-crossed lovers.” A blessed bard falls for a landloping forest nymph; her sudden death sends the virtuoso down to the Underworld to save her, but only if he can abide by one, simple condition as they ascend: don’t look back.

In a moment of weakness, just before they reach daylight, he turns. She disappears.

…or so it’s been told for thousands of years. Flash forward to 2026, Orpheus By Dumpster Fire (OBDF) is not a simple retelling—it is a living, breathing opportunity for these downtrodden characters to forge a new ending. Written by local playwright Benjamin Cuchulainn Kaspar, this homegrown “micro musical” offers a distinct perspective on what destiny, grief, love, and artistry look like in a world where divine authority has gone unchecked, the balance of nature has suffered grave disruption, and choices that were long said to be forbidden, could very well be the path to freedom.

With an original score influenced by modern-day Orpheuses Jeff Buckley, Nina Simone, and others, the soundscape of this show is as much of a driving force as the characters themselves. What started as in-script poetry by Benjamin Cuchulainn Kaspar (Playwright, Hades), was transformed into song by Frankie Marsh (Orpheus) and Nate Daley (Thanatos), who composed musical versions of his prose, adding a layer of narrative depth perfectly suited to the divine talent of our story’s hero.

Developed, written and performed by local artists, Baltimore’s essence runs hot in the blood of OBDF; unafraid and unwilling to shy away from the grit, the pain, or the passion that is so essential to this story—one that has captivated audiences for time immemorial. Bringing this show to life at the historic Parkway Theatre would only be fitting, as this heartfelt work is the direct product of our city’s incandescent arts community, for which we are so grateful.

We thank you profoundly for your consideration, and are thrilled to see the amazing things this program will do for the artists selected—whomever they will be!

Logline: A horror thriller which follows a tough and determined woman who becomes trapped in a sinister mansion controlled by a supernatural Incubus that preys on the desires and weaknesses of its victims.

Production Company: Charm City Pictures, a newly formed production house leveraging the experience of talented filmmakers from Charm City Filmmakers, an organization with over a hundred produced short films.

Director: Award-Winning Writer/Director Ken Alston

Project Type: Independent Feature Film

Filming Location: Baltimore, Maryland

Synopsis: "In the Flesh" is a horror thriller that follows Alison, a tough and determined young woman, who becomes trapped in a sinister mansion controlled by a supernatural Incubus that preys on the desires and weaknesses of its victims. Alongside other captives, including the eccentric Breeze and the unhinged Davenport, Alison fights to escape the house’s deadly grip while uncovering its dark secrets. As the Incubus manipulates and feeds on its victims, Alison’s alliances and survival instincts are tested, leading to violent confrontations and heartbreaking sacrifices. Ultimately, Alison succumbs to the mansion’s cycle, becoming a pawn in its predatory game, facilitating the arrival of new victims while her humanity is slowly eroded.

Character Breakdowns:

• Doyal: (Supporting) Male, 20s to 40s. A kind-hearted man with boyish good looks that tries to be a peacemaker but may be aligned with the captors.
• The Incubus: (Non-Speaking) A talented and physically expressive actor is sought to portray a terrifying creature brought to life with practical effects and dedicated performance.