Exclusive: Ben Rock and Gregory Sims Talk Bringing Baal to Life

By thehorrorchick
February 3rd, 2010

Last weekend Dread Central decided to get a bit of culture and headed over to Sacred Fools Theater to check out film/TV/viral director Ben Rock's (Alien Raiders) intense new project, Baal.

Based on the 1918 story by Bertolt Brecht, Baal is the trippy little story about a destructive and alcoholic poet named Baal (played by Gregory Sims) who destroys anything and anyone in his path. Baal has no issue with seducing friends' wives and girlfriends, deflowering young teenage girls, and drinking himself into a stupor on a regular basis. The world is for Baal's taking, no matter what the cost.

While not necessarily horror, the ramifications of Baal's downward spiral into excess are quite horrific as he manages to leave a body count in his wake. The reinterpretation of Brecht's story by Peter Mellencamp is bold, startling, and devastating. When the play finishes, you can sense the uneasiness in the audience as they file out - and it's not because they didn't like the play. You just feel the devastation that Baal inflicted on those around him to your very core.

Sims' portrayal of Baal is both seductive and horrifying. Picture what would happen if Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum in The Fly), Jon Stewart, and Hunter S. Thompson had a love child and unleashed him on the stage.

After the performance we had a chance to talk with both Rock and Sims about all things Baal. You can check out the video below.

Baal will continue to run at Sacred Fools through February 20th. If you live in the LA area, this is definitely one performance you won't want to miss.

Ben Rock and Gregory Sims - Baal
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- Heather Wixson