Behind The Screams

Fans of Western Pennsylvania haunted houses, hayrides, and events know and trust the annual reviews and reports from The Haunted Housewives (Tish and Lilly.). A professional writer and occasional costumer with a deep understanding of what scares people and and even deeper interest in finding out why.

These esteemed experts in Pittsburgh’s best halloween events and haunted attractions were among the very first guests to experience the return of THE BASEMENT to it’s original home in Etna, located in the depths of a 100 year-old Elks Lodge located at 118 Locust Street, Etna PA 15223. Check out what they had to say about our NEW 2024 production of this infamous and intimate horror experience:

This has been the year of long-anticipated sequels. First, Tim Burton finally directed a follow-up to his beloved 1989 horror comedy, “Beetlejuice.” Second (and more importantly for Pittsburgh-area horror fans), the twisted minds behind The ScareHouse have revived their immersive horror experience, The Basement. Before it disappeared into the darkness back in 2020, The Basement received national attention, attracting visitors like Elijah Wood and Kristen Stewart. It earned a reputation as unsettling, “extreme,” offering hardcore horror fans a chance to interact with a host of monsters and madmen. But then it vanished, leaving behind hordes of fans still craving more, more, more.

Ah, but every horror fan knows that you can’t keep a good monster down. Jason will pop out of the lake, Michael Myers will sit up and turn your way, Beetlejuice will answer if you call his name… and The Basement has risen from the dead in the depths of the grand, old bank building that used to be home to The ScareHouse. Or maybe it has been there all along, just waiting.

Before I tell you about what The Basement is, let me tell you what it isn’t. The Basement isn’t a conventional haunted attraction where you will walk past tableaus of skeletons and cobwebs. This is a very interactive experience where you will get up-close and personal with the monsters. In fact, you have to sign a waiver acknowledging that you will be touched, that you may encounter darkness, electricity, bugs, and other unpleasantness. (Why do they mention all these things? Oh, no reason.) You’re also given a safe word, just in case the experience becomes too intense. The idea is to not just look your fears in the eye but also to get to know them very, very well (and hopefully, conquer them). The Basement is not pretty in the way that many haunted attractions are pretty. The rooms are stripped down and stark; there’s nothing here that doesn’t need to be. It feels like you’ve stumbled into an abandoned building that has been taken over by dark forces. There’s some mist and colored light (and a Christmas tree and some posters), but your focus is necessarily right in front you. You need to pay attention. Also, The Basement isn’t “extreme” in the way of some other immersive attractions. While it is occasionally physically challenging and while it will engage ALL your senses, The Basement doesn’t try to hurt you or humiliate you. Some of the content is decidedly adult, but it’s not profane or sexy just for the sake of being profane or sexy.

So, what IS The Basement? Well, for one thing, this experience is psychologically challenging – if you go through this experience with a friend or loved one, just know that the creatures may try to pit you against each other. They will also try to probe your own insecurities or uncertainties. The Basement is immersive in ways that few other places are. For roughly 40 minutes, the creatures in The Basement focus entirely on YOU, on your fears and failings. If you’re not prepared to interact with these creatures or to sustain that level of attention, this experience may not be for you. The Basement also engages all your senses. Of course, you’ll see and hear things, but you’ll smell, taste, and feel things as well. The Basement’s unique stench creeps into your nostrils and sinks its tendrils into your brain. The residents may encourage you to have a little snack. And the creatures don’t stay safely in their places, on a stage or in the shadows. They’ll wrap their arms around you and draw you close. Because this attraction is so interactive, you can’t afford to be a passive observer – you’re actually part of the show. To get the most out of this experience, you need to play along. Go with the flow, answer their questions, and enjoy.

The Basement is also an absorbing piece of theatre. Because this experience focuses on interactions rather than props or sets, it demands great acting. The Basement is populated with a host of weird, distinct characters who are all unsettling and convincing. From the tall, dapper fellow who has turned a bathroom into a confessional to the fey, whispering girl who wanted us to be her friends to Schitz and Giggles, the game show hosts, the entities haunting The Basement were strange and memorable. We also thought that we recognized some of these spirits – you see, this version of The Basement, this return to its origins, revives a lot of old ghosts. There are nods to past visions – an anxious paranormal investigator, a concerned (but somehow menacing) doctor and his assistant, a playful elf, a mournful clown, nuns who don’t belong to any order that Mother Church would recognize. There’s also a beast lurking in the shadows and a commanding diva who reminded us strongly of the Queen of Hearts from “Alice in Wonderland.” Somehow, they all manage to be unsettling and captivating at the same time.

The Basement is surreal and creepy, an intimate theatre performance, a psychological exercise, and a unique horror experience. If you have the nerve and the curiosity, head down into the darkness and see just what has risen to unholy life.

Thanks to everyone who visited us last weekend and provided us with such valuable feedback! The nature of this experience means that tickets are VERY limited each night and we sell-outs will regularly occur, especially as we get closer to the end of the month. Don’t miss your chance to come back home and experience the infamous BASEMENT on last time this fall. Tap the link below for more details.