The weird tales of H.P. Lovecraft have assumed new life at the Kraine Theatre in RadioTheatre's sixth festival devoted to the author's work. The week-long event, presented as part of the FRIGID Festival, casts the reclusive Rhode Island writer as a kind of godhead (his pensive profile hung from a pipe upstage is about all we get in the way of scenery) and it seems fitting given his life of obscurity and his recurring themes; spoiler: the man liked cults.

True to the style of the old radio serials, each night of the Lovecraft Lovefest offers a different sampling of stories from the author's oeuvre. On opening night I was treated to the short, "The Moon Bog," and the more substantial "The Shadow Over Innsmouth." "Moon Bog" is a bit of a cautionary tale about landscaping dealing with the disappearance of patrician Denys Berry following his attempt to drain a bog on his property. In a twist by Director/Adaptor Dan Bianchi the narrative is revealed in an interview between an acquaintance of Berry's (the duly spooked R. Patrick Alberty) and a dutiful, if incredulous policeman (Joshua Nicholson). I was taken pretty quickly with how effectively the duo delivered the ethos. A hazer, some great, if at times bombastic sound by Wes Shippee -- who does double duty on the just-dim-enough lights -- some music stands, and our actors' polished voice-work are just as evocative as any bit of spooky stagecraft.

"Innsmouth," the tale of a port town occupied by fish people, is the meat and potatoes here (you can catch it October 9th and 11th). Here the actors' range gets to stretch and we get a third, Frank Zilinyi, who steals the show in his turn as oft-derided drunk, Zadok Allen. The cast of three -- Danielle Adams, the fourth actor did not perform on Thursday night -- rotate between leery townsfolk, day laborers and worshipers of the Deep Ones (part of Lovecraft's original order of cosmic monster deities) relating the unique destiny of visiting college student, Marcus. The presentation is appropriately spine-tingling if occasionally dated and disconcerting if viewed as a commentary on race -- but you can and should overlook that last bit. It's great and a great primer to the wider mythos Lovecraft is known for.

Companies like RadioTheatre are on the rise, given a bit of a boost no doubt by the popularity of podcast serials like Welcome to Nightvale and Paul F Tompkins' Thrilling Adventure Hour. I will say, a radio show is an experience that benefits greatly in a live, communal setting. Whether you're new to Lovecraft lore, or up on your Old Ones, this is a great way to start the Halloween season.

The 6th Annual H.P. Lovecraft Festival continues at the Kraine Theatre through October 12. For more information and tickets visit https://www.radiotheatrenyc.com/