Orange Resident Ecstatic After "Monster" Opening Night at Halloween Haunted House

Orange resident Charles Rosenay, better known as the producer of Beatles festivals or as an MC/DJ in the area for many years, wears many different hats as a promoter and entrepeneur. Instead of a hat, though, it's usually make-up or a mask he has on when he is acting as a "scaremaster" at his haunted attraction, Fright Haven.

Fright Haven is the 20,000 square-foot indoor haunt located next to LA Fitness on 411 Barnum Avenue Cutoff in Stratford. It's the biggest haunted house between New Haven and New York. Opening night was this past Saturday, September 23, and Rosenay was ecstatic with the "monster" turn-out. "We expected a very small crowd, and planned to be open just two hours with the evening being a dress rehearsals for the actors." Hundreds of visitors showed to be among the first to experience the new features, props and sets, and the lines were so long that the haunt stayed open an extra hour. "We had over 50 actors for what we thought would be a quiet, dry run, "added Rosenay, "but none of the actors wanted to leave. They wanted to keep the scares coming as long as people were pouring in." And as the guests were exiting, they were raving about the experience there.
With ample free parking and the benefit of being open even if it rains, the indoor attraction also got it's first review, from a haunted house aficionado, writer Nancy Burban. Her review is below.

"Be Very Afraid, Very Afraid: Uncertainty, Fear, and Pure Terror"

Opening Night Review by Nancy Burban
Adventure is defined by uncertain outcome, and uncertainty drives full engagement. There was full engagement and long lines last night at the opening night of Fright Haven in Stratford. It was a horror adventure that no one should attend alone (trust me on that one). I've been to over 30 haunted houses over the years, and I'm from New York city which specializes in these haunted adventures. When I attended last night's event with my friends, I was pleasantly and terrifyingly surprised. There's over 20,000 feet of all sorts of horror & terror. I won't give too many secrets away but being put into a bloody refrigerator and not knowing where that led to gave me chills. Well, okay, one more: walking the plank. You'll know what I mean when you encounter it. And the clowns! Scariest that I have even seen - and they are everywhere.
There are three elements that comprise a really good haunted house: anticipation, fear and uncertainty. Fright Haven, has all three. When you leave, you realize that it was all actors and illusions, but while you're inside - you're not so certain. Sort of like an episode of the old Twilight Zone with American Horror Show thrown in. Is it real or not?
Fright Haven is worth every penny and more. We left sweaty and shaken after this "adventure" - and we're adults! Give yourself and a loved one the gift of terror this Halloween season.

Fright Haven will be open this Friday and Saturday nights, September 29-30, from 7-10pm, and Thursday-Fridays-Saturdays-Sundays in October right up through Halloween. For information, visit www.FrightHaven.com or phone (203) 799-FEAR.