Luke Sanderson

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, published in October 1959, sitting at 182 pages.

We have Dr. Montague, the occult investigator, Luke Sanderson, the young heir to the house, and our two supernatural lightning rods, Eleanor Vance and Theodora.

It is, without a doubt, arguably the most important and influential haunted house novel ever written in the English language.

And I have to throw out a massive warning to you, the listener, right now.

Mark Way's presence gives the film an interesting tension between rational inquiry and supernatural possibility.

Russ Tamblyn plays Luke Sanderson, the heir to Hill House and another important member of the group.

Luke brings a more sceptical, worldly perspective to the investigation.

He has a personal connection to the property because of the family ownership.

But he doesn't approach the house with the same emotional investment as Eleanor.

He's also not necessarily convinced by the stories surrounding the place.

And I think having a character like Luke is important because it gives the audience somebody who might question what we're seeing.

In a supernatural film, it's easy for every character to accept the haunting immediately.

On this week's episode, I sit down with the Farmington players who are putting on The Haunting of Hill House.

Ryan Scott-Lax is playing Luke Sanderson, Erica Suzak is playing Theodora, Gary Weinstein playing Arthur Parker, and Jade Downey playing Eleanor Vance.

We talk about that show as well as their history with theater.

I'm Dom Valentini, and this is Opening Night in Michigan.

And that's been helpful.

Don't cry.

So, Ryan, you are portraying Luke Sanderson, Erica, you are Theodora, Gary, you are Arthur Parker, and Jade, you are Eleanor Vance.

When it came to these specific characters, what... sort of drove your characterization for them.