THE VOICE OF REASON Myron A. Frasier to Southfield City Council ON NOVEMBER 2, 1999 VOTE FOR EXPERIENCE House Of Horrors • 4 Years City Council • 2 Years Planning Commission • 39 Years Ameritech Halloween actors portray scenes of terror from pages of history. SHELLI DORFMAN StaffWriter W eak-kneed, with pound- ing hearts, guests screamed their way out of a blackened Macomb County exhibit filled with scenes depicting the horrors of Jeffrey Dahmer, Charles Manson and the Holocaust. Not your typical Halloween haunt- ed house, Terror Town is true to its name. Visitors are terrified by a series of performances featuring live actors portraying short, graphic scenes from historical-based horrors. The theatrical production created by Melissa Youngs-Misaros has caused controversy with the inclusion of a concentration camp setting, complete with a Nazi guard shooting at an ema- ciated-looking prisoner attempting to climb a barbed-wire fence. After receiving "at least four calls" of objection to the display, a letter was sent to Youngs-Misaros by Don Cohen, director of the Anti-Defamation League Michigan Region. In it, he registered "a strong complaint" on behalf of the ADL to those who "don't recognize the gross exploitation of a human tragedy." Youngs-Misaros says she will respond, defending her right to offer a mere "dramatization designed to elicit shock, fear, awe and disgust, with no attempt to offend." To date, the Shelby Township Police Department has received no complaints. "It's all quiet this year. I didn't even realize it was running," says Lt. Joe DeMeester. Youngs-Misaros says the 32 actors, who rehearse for a month and act in full costume and makeup, do not reflect personal opinions but are fol- lowing her script. What goes on in their rented space in the Four Bears Water Park is "all an act and not my life style," says Youngs-Misaros. "I am an artist. I am not biased. I am not judging." In fact, she cuts across all lines at Terror Town. The concentration camp scene is followed by a "skinhead" being electrocuted. Still, some find the taped voice of Adolf Hitler and the flag with the swastika deeply disturbing. And others say they are offended by perceived anti-Semitic comments. INVOLVEMENT: • 1999 Winner UW/CS Heart of Gold • 1997-99 President Southfield AARP • 12 Years Karmanos Cancer Inst. Volunteer ENDORSED BY: Southfield attorney Byron Siegel says a group of teens told him anti-Semitic language was aimed at them during the exhibit and that one was hit by a whip, although she was not hurt. He argues that Youngs-Misaros, who calls herself "a huge advocate of free speech," has gone one step beyond the First Amendment. Jennifer Levine of Ferndale, a fre- quent visitor to Terror Town, which last year saw 25,000 guests at $10 a person (now $12), performs as an actress this year. ON NOV. 2, 1999 USE ONE OF YOUR 4 • Senator Gary Peters VOTES TO RE-ELECT MYRON A. FRASIER • Oakland County Political Action Committee (OCPAC) • Southfield-Lathrup Democratic Club • Eric Coleman-Oakland County Commissioner 23460 Brandywynne • Southfield Mi 48034 PAID FOR BY THE COMMITTEE TO ELECT MYRON A. FRASIER • Southfield Eccentric 248.352-6246 ., . " "I am not biased. I am not judging. " — Melissa Youngs-Misaros Levine, who is Jewish, viewed the scenes before accepting the job. She says she is "not disturbed by the camp" and knows "it is just there to scare — its just acting." She says all actors must sign an agree- ment not to smoke, drink or deviate from the script in any way. Youngs- Misaros confirms this, adding the actors are instructed "not to go closer than arm's length from guests," a difficult task in a dark room with narrow hallways. Still, Douglas Burda, a Michigan State University student and park visitor, was upset when an actor playing a priest told him he would burn in hell for his sins, after a friend announced they were Jewish. Youngs-Misaros says those are words in the script, relayed to all guests, and not a response to Burda. Past Sierra Club Head To Speak Adam Werbach, 23, who made headlines when he became the head of the oldest and largest grass-roots environmental group in the United States in 1996, will speak at Congregation Shir Tikvah on Wednesday, Nov. 3. The event will take place at 7:30 p.m. at Congregation ShirTikvah, 3900 Northfield Parkway, Troy. The event is open to the public and costs $5. &woof &mat, WHERE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE! • • • • Innovative designs Impeccable installation Incomparable service 17 years of experience 248.855.8747 Call today for your free in-home consultation tammtammiagmisnamin, 21ramtent Ecid4 Formerly of The Closet Company, Inc. Just name your tune. Got a big audit coming up? A new stock offering? A buy-off? 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