Hella horror

From the creators of the Saw film franchise and Repo, the Genetic Opera, comes another dark horror film: The Devil’s Carnival. Currently on a spring screening tour, the musical theater-filled film—complete with its rock soundtrack and horror-carnival theme—makes its way to The Colonial Theatre this Friday.

This flick advertises itself as the unlikely mash-up of Glee and Tales from the Crypt. It stars veteran actors Sean Patrick Flannery (Boondock Saints, Saw), Briana Evigan (Step Up 2: The Streets) and Paul Sorvino (Goodfellas, Law & Order), as well as gothic-Victorian singer-songwriter Emilie Autumn and Slipknot’s percussionist Shawn Crahan. The film’s dark plot weaves the stories of a thieving kleptomaniac, a teenager and an obsessed father who all facing moral problems. The three subsequently purchase tickets to the Devil’s Carnival where they’re introduced to a cast of Lucifer’s creepiest carnies. Sounds like a good opportunity for a song-and-dance routine, no?

Needless to say, like a modern-day Rocky Horror Picture Show, the crowd is encouraged to dress up in horror-core clown costumes, satanic garb and other scary clothing in hopes of winning a costume contest. Sing-alongs and a Q-and-A session with director Darren Lynn Bousman and writer Terrance Zdunich add glam to the one-night-only film screening. A soundtrack can be purchased on iTunes, and a trailer (as well as Satanist-themed graphic design and web animation) can be found at the film’s website.

The Devil’s Carnival, 8 p.m. Friday, May 11. Tickets cost $21.55 for general admission and $32.33 for the show and a signed poster. Colonial Theatre, 3522 Stockton Boulevard; www.thedevilscarnival.com.