Bridgeview firefighter Tony Roeback’s graveyard-themed haunted house display is back for locals and neighboring townies to enjoy this Halloween season.
The go-to haunted house at 7216 W. 72nd St. is back, featuring popular animatronics from Halloween movie classics, unique light fixtures, projection shows, and live performances to get neighbors into the Halloween spirit.
Ringleader Tony and his wife, Kaylyn Roeback, along with dedicated friends and family members, continue to run this community-driven production. The Roeback crew has brought back classic horror characters like Michael Myers from Halloween and Beetlejuice, while introducing new sinister foes, including a jester, a creepy clown named Zipper, and a loose asylum zombie called Whisper.
“I married into this,” said Kaylyn, a Halloween enthusiast who complements her husband perfectly. Tony has been carrying on the tradition of his father’s love for the spooky holiday since he was a kid and doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon.
“Ever since I was younger, my dad always did a front yard walkthrough for Halloween,” Roeback said. “The town won’t let me stop; I get calls from all over.”
Roeback shared that the Halloween extravaganza takes months to prepare. “We started late this year, in July,” he said. “We’re out here setting up props and organizing cables and outlets.”
Zipper the Clown, performed by Dustin Reinhart, added, “We love Tony, and the community really gets into it; it’s why so many of us keep coming back.” Many crew members, including Roeback’s father-in-law, Rob Dabrosz, who reenacts Michael Myers, have returned to help bring the haunt to life.
The Roebacks draw inspiration and ideas from the Halloween conventions they attend each year. “In St. Louis, thousands attend,” Roeback said. “It’s the haunted house marketplace enterprise,” where they network, purchase new products for their display, and get fresh ideas.
Returning attendee Amber Burton and her son William came back for a second year to see the new attractions and character plotlines. Burton’s 8-year-old son especially enjoys when the cast interacts with and scares people in line. “It’s so funny being chased by them!” he said.
Folks will have plenty of opportunities to visit Roeback’s Nightmare on 72nd Street, with performances at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Visit the Roeback’s Nightmare Facebook page for showtimes, dates, and updates.
