VIDEO: Fear City Brings Hauntertainment to Morton Grove
Chicagoland's newest haunted house provides 40,000-square-feet of thrills, laughs, and scares
Morton Grove is the host to Chicagoland's newest and largest haunted house, and so far, it's getting rave reviews.
"It was a great haunted house," said one patron as she exited on opening weekend. "Probably the best I've ever been to."
Fear City has been in the works for the last 18 months, but it wasn't until the beginning of September that the crew moved into their empty warehouse on Austin Avenue to begin putting everything together for opening night on Oct. 1.
Earlier: Get Your Halloween Frights Early at Fear City
"It's pretty incredible to go from construction in a shop down on the west side of Chicago to 40,000 square feet of hauntertainment," said Dennis Grimes, Fear City's Director of Acting. "You can't make that happen without a lot of people who are incredibly good at their craft."
The staff members at Fear City staff are certainly good at their craft. Co-owners Chuck Grendys and Jim Lichon bring a wealth of experience when it comes to setting up the right atmosphere for the desired effect, in this case that effect would be fear. Lichon worked for five years as a set designer for the Oprah Winfrey Show and brought about 10 colleagues from Harpo Studios with him to help set up the massive haunt factory, which includes many elements of Chicago.
"The first half of the house is set up in urban areas," Grimes said. "We're going to put you in a CTA station and throw you on an L Train. We're going to move you through the water works."
Fear City provides plenty more haunting environments, with over 40 actors every night ready to jump out from any dark corner, or provide you with a good one-liner.
Fear City will be open throughout the month of October. Tickets are $25 and $35 for VIP passes.
Click on the video link above to hear what people are saying about the experience and to see what you can expect form a trip to Fear City.
Discuss Fear City on our Facebook Page.
Red Sam Rackham
9:47 am on Tuesday, October 11, 2011
$25 just to walk thru a haunted house? I don't think so. Homey don't play that!
Dan Goldberg
10:03 am on Tuesday, October 11, 2011
After listening to the comments of those who paid to visit 'Fear City' it in this video (and some stories in other media too); it seems like $25 was worth it for the patrons who like this type of entertainment. While it's not for every taste or budget, I do hope everyone at least supports this attraction to help a new tax-paying business in town become a success. Maybe those attending will stay a little longer and have a pizza, burger or beer which would help those local businesses too.
karen erickson
4:07 pm on Tuesday, October 11, 2011
I noticed an MG ambulance in the background of the video and also what appears to be flashing lights from MGPD....ummm, who's paying for that? Are the on-duty or off-duty?
Dan, after spending $25 per person for this attraction, I doubt anyone is going to be sending additional money on pizza, burger or beer. But that's just my opinion.
Pat Craig
4:27 pm on Tuesday, October 11, 2011
It is my understanding that the owners of the attraction are paying for the additional medical and security services. It might make more sense to do some research into things before indulging in innuendo. This is a new business in Morton Grove. It caters to a particular demographic. I do not happen to fall into that demographic, but since this business is bringing folks with disposable income into Morton Grove it can be nothing but a GOOD thing. Also Karen, have you been to a movie recently? Have you gone to North Shore Center for the Performing Arts? Your comment seems to reek of negativity... but that's just my opinion.
karen erickson
4:42 pm on Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Mr. Kansoer, I was not indulging in innuendo...I was ASKING a question. And, NO, I have not been to a movie recently....nothing out there I care to waste my money on. I also have not been to the center for performing arts. What's your point?
Pat Craig
5:51 pm on Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Ms. Ericson;
My points are these;
1) To mention the fire and police at the venue and ask who was paying, especially when you could have researched it easily enough with a phone call or two rather than splattering the veiled accusation on a public forum is "snarkey" a smacks of innuendo.
2) If you have not been to an entertainment venue recently you are uninformed as to what entertainment costs are. If you haven't eaten in a restaurant recently you have no yardstick by which to measure so what facts, if any, is your doubt actually based upon?
3) I get tired of folks being negative for the sake of being negative. Fear City may not be your cup of tea. I don't fit their demographic either, but I certainly don't begrudge the folks who do like that sort of thing their entertainment. I applaud the young businessmen who have risked a good amount of money to bring some entertainment and excitement to Morton Grove, (and. hopefully, coincidentally help drive business to the hospitality venues in town).
If Fear City is not your idea of a good time, by all means, don't go. I'm sure the young people who will frequent Fear City would have no desire to hear the Lawrence Welk orchestra... but I doubt they would begrudge us old fogeys the opportunity to enjoy that... ahh one and a two...
Lizzy T
6:03 pm on Tuesday, October 11, 2011
I recall my parents saying that if you don't have anything nice to say, say nothing at all. If this haunted house interests you or not, that's hardly a reason to go out of your way to be disparaging. Let's try being better people and just wish them well and let those who do enjoy this kind of thing have fun.
karen erickson
7:06 pm on Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Mr Kansoer,
I have watched you rant and rave at Village Board meetings. But that is not the topic here.
In response to your "points":
1. Yes, I could have made a call or two. Morton Grove Patch has been a very good source of information on many topics. I was asking THEM NOT YOU.
2. Your assumption that I have no knowledge of what entertainment cost shows your accusatory innuendo. I don't live in a cave!
3. You, sir, are the one that is constantly being negative regarding many things going on in the Village (i.e., MCC issues).
Fear City also has MANY restrictions on who may attend their haunted house.
I will not continue replying to you Mr. Kansoer. You can't even get my last name right!
Pat Craig
7:20 pm on Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Ms. Erickson;
As you have said, my participation at village board meetings is not the issue here, but since you apparently cannot justify your "opinion" here you resort to a lame attempt at sarcasm... you don't do it very well ma'am.
As you admitted, you COULD have made a call or two but instead chose to make a snarkey comment about a business. Since you put your faith in the information on Morton Grove Patch, and the Patch operates on input from users, and since I am one of those users... apparently you WERE asking me.
I never said or implied that you live in a cave, do you?
I will comment both positively and negatively as the situation requires, a review of my past postings will show this to be true. Can you say the same? What positive comments have you made?
By saying that Fear City has MANY restrictions on who may attend are you implying that you would not be able to attend?
I apologize for getting you last name wrong... but better that than getting the facts wrong.
Have a great evening madam.
Janine Witko
7:44 pm on Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Anyway.... I went through Fear City with a group of friends on opening night. Our ages ranged from mid-thirties to mid-forties. We appreciated the detailed sets in each room. Nothing was slapped together here. If you go, I suggest taking your time walking through to really look at the details. We definitely enjoyed ourselves.
Charles P. Grendys III
10:58 pm on Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Patrick C. Kansoer SR and Karen Erickson you both have just won 2 tickets each to Fear City. They will be waiting for you at our Box Office.
There is a catch, you must come together. Please workout a date between you both and let all the Patch Readers and myself know when your coming.
Thanks Charles P. Grendys III
The Mayor of Fear City!
Pat Craig
7:38 am on Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Mr. Grendys III-
I am game if Ms. Erickson is!
Patrick C. Kansoer Sr
Charles P. Grendys III
11:01 pm on Tuesday, October 11, 2011
ps. You can ask me anything you like after you get out of "Fear City"
Suburban Steve
11:20 am on Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Mr. Grendys:
Congratulations on your new venture. I, for one, am pleased that you chose our humble village for Fear City. Wishing you much luck in your endeavor! BTW -- the review in today's Chicago Tribune was very positive and I hope it brings even more people to our town.
Read it at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/theaterloop/ct-ent-1012-fear-city-review-20111011,0,3061353.column
Dan Goldberg
8:47 am on Wednesday, October 12, 2011
A brilliant move by the Mayor of Fear City, you've got my vote! Thanks for reaching out to community and making Morton Grove your home. I wish you loads of success!
Jessica Sieghart
7:22 pm on Wednesday, October 12, 2011
I'm not a haunted house person at all, but my teens are and they went through and loved it. They were really impressed with the whole experience and will be going again. I've heard nothing but really good things about it from the young and young at heart :)
barry
9:09 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
I suggest an extra pair of underwear for those going. fantastic seasonal fun, and great cause with fantastic and extremely talented people who know what they are doing. You will be scared by the best!!!!(Hi to Yvonne)
M. Kim Jr.
9:46 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
I'm looking forward to being scared scared there this year!
Zuzu
10:10 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Fear City Mayor: You are the grooviest! Classy move. Well done!
barry
11:05 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Ohhh....And all low me to be the one to say what all of us are thinking: Karen... You are an idiot. I cut and fried. I at best you are just plain bitter. I I cannot begin to guess as to what happened to you to make you this way, but please go back on your meds.