By KIM COOL

Features Editor

In advance of the ghostly season, local playwright Ron Myroup has penned a variation on one of the world’s classic ghost stories – “The Flying Dutchman.” It will open Sept. 23 as a Generations offering on Venice Theatre’s Pinkerton Stage where it will run Thursday-Sunday through Oct.10.

Last year Myroup embellished the story of“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by adding a romantic twist and extra characters. The show became a sell-out and had to be extended.

According to information from the theater,Myroup added “a twist of romance and a touch of the supernatural” to the story of the ghost ship that must ply the seas for eternity and its crew that can come ashore just one day per decade. This is a story that appeals to all ages, making it a perfect fit for the theater’s  Generations productions. Myroup’s version explores “why” the ship was cursed and perhaps will shed some light on the eerie glow on the horizon that is so much a part of the tale.

As an opera (by Richard Wagner), “The Flying Dutchman” was produced in a recent season by Sarasota Opera. Thestory is such a classic that references are included in Disney’s“Pirates of the Caribbean” and in many other genres.

Myroup directs the multi-generational cast which includes Jake Fricke as Captain Victor Van Decker, Kenzie Balliet as Princess Regatta, Kaitlyn Terpstra as Anastasia “Queenie” DuPree, Tyler Bazenas as Scratchman/Professor Diavolo, Brandon Farlin as Maroon Muldoon, Ray Burroughs as Alder Muldoon, Michael Burke as Patrick Muldoon, Eric Schneider as Charles Finely/2ndofficer Finley, Denielle Balliet as Arabella Dain Finley, Kiah Evans as Violeta Finley, and TimPolk as Samuel/Captain Kidd. Also in the cast are Elaine Levin-Smith,Noelle Oxboel, Zack Evanicki, Cole Murray, Thomas Junker, Hunter Cross,Logan Yates and Jack Rabito (as Davey Jones). Longtime Venice Theatre folks will be pleased about the inclusion of Charles Finley in the cast.

Sets are by Donna Buckalter, costumes are by Jeanette Rybicki, lighting by Michael Newton-Brown and sound by Dorian Boyd.

Venice Theatre is at 140 W. Tampa Ave., on the island in downtown Venice. Tickets for “The Flying Dutchman” are $10for students and $15 for adults.

Performances are at 7 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Visit www.venicestage.com or call the box office at 941-488-1115, weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m, Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and one hour before  each performance.