Alien Invasion Connecticut to Open in East Haven

By Connecticut Critics Circle membership chair and Patch Contributor Nancy Sasso Janis

Connecticut’s most unique Halloween experience, The Haunted Trolley, has returned to the Shore Line Trolley Museum in East Haven East Haven. This is the fourth consecutive year for this event and this year features an all-new show. I was invited to be part of the audience for the dress rehearsal before the opening day.

The Haunted Trolley debuted as “a curated, high concept event mixing storytelling, the paranormal, theater, and the ride itself.” It has since “transitioned into a full-out on-board Murder Mystery Theatrical Experience.” Now the tradition continues with an alien invasion theme.

For the spooky season of 2025, the Haunted Trolley will present “Alien Invasion Connecticut," opening on Friday, Oct. 3. This is an exclusive Halloween-themed "out of this world” experience that is very different from past productions.

Guests get to take an unforgettable ride aboard an ancient trolley with hosts who will turn their evening into a fun journey they won’t soon forget. It is a live adventure that includes the interactive aspect of the evening plus the ride itself.

The fun premise is that our planet has been invaded by aliens from outer space and they have chosen four places on earth to start their takeover, specifically New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and East Haven, CT.

Each ride is limited to only 40 passengers. The experience begins with a pre-ride audio-visual orientation and introduction to the plot, which includes a newscaster played by Brian Smith, formerly of the Smith and Barber Morning Show on WPLR, who can be heard on WATR 1320 AM and 97.7 FM and WOW Radio. The video may be previewed on the Facebook event page.

The orientation that is held inside the museum is followed by an “immersive 30-45 minute show/program combining an alien invasion, thrills, theater, Halloween themes, audience participation, and a heavy dose of comedy.” Best of all, the guests help decide the outcome of this curated UFO adventure.

This year, the event is directed by Kristin Huffman, who appeared in the Tony Award Winning revival of “Company” and is the Artistic Director of New Paradigm Theatre. At the invited dress rehearsal, the director helped the performers run through the show aboard the trolley and then invited the adults and children to climb aboard to experience the entire program. At the end of the ride, we listened as the director gave notes to the cast and a few riders offered feedback.

The host provides plenty of backstory and space-themed information while wearing a tin foil hat. There is a fun interactive aspect for the guest during the ride that will help the riders get to know each other a little better. The host leads the riders in a seasonal sing-along, complete with school-age instruments. However, under no circumstances, will I ever reveal the ending of this fun mystery and all guests that take the ride will also be sworn to secrecy.

All ages are welcome, but under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The program is family friendly and brave children may even volunteer to help pass out the instruments. The 5pm and 6pm are designated as more family/kid-friendly, although the dress rehearsal only included one potentially scary part.

Promoter Charles Rosenay explains that this is not an indoor or outdoor haunted attraction, nor is it a hayride or a trail in the woods. “Expect fun + mystery + a lot of laughs aboard a great ride. Hint: The only “probing” will be from a UFO investigator, and there's no waiting in line for hours.

Alien Invasion: Connecticut runs at the Shore Line Trolley Museum for a total of 12 nights. Scheduled dates include:

Friday October 3 - 6PM 7PM 8PM & 9PM
Saturday October 4 - 6PM 7PM 8PM & 9PM
Friday October 10 - 6PM 7PM 8PM & 9PM
Saturday October 11 - 6PM 7PM 8PM & 9PM
Friday October 17 - 6PM 7PM 8PM & 9PM
Saturday October 18 - 6PM 7PM 8PM & 9PM
Sunday October 19 - 5PM 6PM 7PM 8PM
Friday October 24 - 6PM 7PM 8PM & 9PM
Saturday October 25 - 6PM 7PM 8PM & 9PM
Sunday October 26 - 5PM 6PM 7PM 8PM
Friday October 31 - 5PM 6PM 7PM 8PM & 9PM
Saturday November 1 - 6PM 7PM 8PM & 9PM

Admission remains only $29 per person in advance only, with timed admissions every Friday and Saturday in October at 6pm 7pm 8pm and 9pm, plus the last Sundays in the month at 5pm, 6pm 7pm and 8pm (5pm and 6pm are designated as more family/kid-friendly). Note that there is one extra ride on Halloween night, October 31 (five instead of four).

There is also a limited number of $49 V.I.P. upgrade tickets which entitle guests to first boarding - choice of priority seating aboard the Trolley - plus a free souvenir logo shirt. Tickets are now on sale at: https://www.ticketleap.events/events/alien-invasion-2025

The event is produced by Charles F. Rosenay under the supervision of John Proto. This Halloween event is sponsored by the amazingly decorated East Haven’s Transilvania Restaurant and Bar and www.DracTours.com.

The Shore Line Trolley Museum is a non-profit organization. The Museum is recognized by the U.S. Department of the Interior as the oldest continuously operated suburban trolley line in the United States. The museum’s line and equipment are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Shore Line Trolley Museum is located at 17 River Street in East Haven and there is ample parking behind the building. For further information, visit www.TheHauntedTrolley.com
phone (203) 795-4737 or email hauntedtrolley@gmail.com.

All photos by Nancy Sasso Janis unless otherwise noted.