Witchcraft & Hauntings in the American South with “Southern Goth.”

Dan Ruth revisits 1980s Richmond in a dark, funny memory play blending queer horror, family lore, and music history.

Award-winning actor/writer, Dan Ruth returns to his rural roots with Southern Goth, his latest solo work; a dark, eerie and often funny collection of stories about growing up surrounded by the supernatural. 

Ruth is describing the new work as a semi-autobiographical memory play. “It’s essentially an 80’s queer horror comedy. Some stories, many of which have been in my family for decades, finally have some room to breathe,” Ruth says. The show consists of four works, “Seven Cents, Sir,” “Some Kinda Witches,” “Shadows of Oregon Hill,” and Some Kinda Witches Pt II, which acts as an epilogue. “There are many stories in the show about my Mother, Leta and I saw many of her stories to be a fitting addition to Southern Goth, with its strong leanings toward the supernatural.”

Southern Goth takes place in parts of the southern and rural US, primarily in a very haunted Richmond, VA, during the 1980’s indie/goth scene at the birth of the “Satanic Panic.” “It was a huge scene, and it’s been both challenging and electric to dig back into those story coffers. Richmond was a wild animal back in the 80’s, and opened me up to southern city life, punk and metal clubs, drag shows and urban myths and legends too juicy to not share. Although some characters have been fictionalized or amalgamated, the esoteric stories about my mother are all very true.” Ruth isn’t sharing much else. “All in good time,” Ruth laughs, “all in good time. The show begins with a slide show of Vintage Richmond, people, places and things. I’m so excited that I was given the rights by two prominent Richmond music historians, Thurston Howes, an incredible photographer who captured the 1980’s Richmond music scene in glorious black & white, and Randall Plaxa, who was the original DJ at Rockitz nightclub on Tuesday nights when they offered “Alternative Dance Night.” He offered up photos and amazing original flyers for the show. It’s one-night-only, so don’t wait! Get your tickets now!”

The play will consist of loud music, references to drug use, adult situations and jump scares, as well as the use of incense. 

Ticketing Information

Southern Goth by Dan Ruth will be performed October 27^th, 2026, at 8:30 PM. Tickets are $25. The Hobgoblin Playhouse is located at 1516 N. Gardner St. in Los Angeles, CA.

Find tickets HERE.