Baked Shrimp wrapped up yet another incredible Halloween Extravaganza, this year’s annual event taking place at Funk n Waffles in Syracuse.
From a boat-on-stage costume contest to a 10-foot-tall colossal Simon Shrimp, starting a full-on movement and protest for our beloved radioactive shrimp (#RunForSimon), dazzling visuals and lighting, chase scenes, and a narrated storyline that began and ended with a giant feather falling from the ceiling, created pure magic throughout the evening.
The show’s storyline was written, directed, and produced by Jared Sage Cowen (Sage Entertainment), with Kristov Howzah (Art Director & Prop Designer), Aden Even-Ezra (Visuals & Cam-Ops), Jim Houle (Lighting), Jason Clifford-Vincent (Art Assistant), Kevin Rankings (Photography) and Jericho LaRonde (Sound). A full soundboard, multi-cam video, and 2026 show announcements arrive soon.
Baked Shrimp – Annual Halloween Extravaganza – Funk ‘n Waffles – Syracuse, NY – October 25, 2025
Set One: Forrest Gump Theme (1), I Wonder Where a Weta Wanders (2), Duck Walk -> Rebel Rouser (3) -> Duck Walk, The Alchemist (4), Blowing in the Wind (5) -> Running on Empty (6)
Set Two: Running With You (7), Hello, I Love You (8 ) -> People Are Strange (8 ) -> Break on Through (To the Other Side) (9), Free Bird (10), Visions (11), Costume Contest Jam (12), Joy to the World (13)
Encore: On the Road Again (14), 24 Karat Gold (15) -> Forrest Gump Theme (16)
(1) Debut; Alan Silvestri; Performed solo by Daniel while feather prop fell from ceiling.
(2) Debut; Original; Contained narration and introduction of Simon and Weta props.
(3) Debut; Duane Eddy; Contained narration and Simon and Weta chase scene.
(4) Preceded by narration over “Forrest Gump Theme” and “I Wonder Where a Weta Wanders.” The ‘Jenny’ boat was brought out onto the stage.
(5) Debut; Bob Dylan; Performed duo style with Jared on acoustic, Daniel on Melodica.
(6) Debut; Jackson Browne. “Run for Simon” signs handed out to crowd.
(7) Debut; Originally performed by Baked Shrimp.
(8 ) Debut; The Doors; Contained ping-pong match between Simon and Weta; unfinished.
(9) Debut; The Doors; Contained ping-pong match between Simon and Weta.
(10) Debut; Lynyrd Skynyrd
(11) Colossal Simon God brought on stage.
(12) Performed over “I Wonder Where a Weta Wanders” and contained “Rex” jams and teases.
(13) Debut; Three Dog Night; Swedish Fish, Salt Water Taffy, and shrimp baits tossed into crowd.
(14) Debut; Willie Nelson
(15) Unfinished
(16) Feather from beginning of show returned and slowly fell from ceiling.
Notes: This performance marked Big Shrimp’s 2nd Annual Halloween Extravaganza, and the 8th overall Extravaganza and production presented by Sage Entertainment. The overarching theme was an original take on Forrest Gump, featuring Jared as “Fisherman” Forrest Gump, Max as “Business” Forrest Gump, Henry as “Running” Forrest Gump, and Daniel as Lieutenant Dan. The story introduced a creative twist, with Simon the Shrimp cast as the protagonist and the Weta as the antagonist. Props, narration, samples, and visuals were used throughout the night to bring the storyline to life. Jared narrated how Simon became radioactive after the devious land bug, the Weta, dumped barrels of toxic waste into Shrimp Lagoon to force him out and capture him. When Simon thought the coast was clear, he was captured by the Weta during the “Rebel Rouser” chase scene and forced to be used as shrimp bait to multiply his genes. Before “The Alchemist,” a boat named The Jenny, the Weta’s vessel, was brought on stage, where Simon was held captive and made to listen to the shrimp boat captains argue over ways to cook shrimp, recreating the classic Bubba scene from the movie. The narration continued during “The Alchemist,” revealing that the Prawn Stars, a shrimp community devoted to Simon, had built a rescue ship called The Funk ’n Waffle to sail out to sea in search of him. Ocean visuals filled the stage through “The Alchemist” and “Blowing in the Wind,” leading into “Running on Empty,” where the story revealed that the rescue mission had failed. In response, the Prawn Stars began a movement to “Run for Simon,” with paper signs reading positive messages such as “Run for Simon” ”We Love Simon”, etc. distributed to the crowd. During “Hello, I Love You,” narration explained that the Weta could no longer ignore the power of the movement and challenged Simon to a ping-pong match to earn his freedom. A ping-pong table was brought on stage, a scoreboard visual appeared on the screen, and the two characters faced off while the band performed a medley of songs by The Doors. Simon ultimately won the match and earned his freedom. Henry made his singing debut, taking lead vocals on “Free Bird.” “Visions” featured a “Simpsons Theme” tease and narration describing Simon’s transformation into a colossal shrimp god who sought revenge against the Weta and overthrew The Jenny. A 10-foot-tall Colossal Simon Shrimp was revealed on stage. The Costume Contest segment included a “Rex” jam and teases, with the winner fittingly dressed as Rex. “Joy to the World” closed the story with narration celebrating Simon’s victory and the liberation of all shrimp from the Weta’s grasp, as Swedish Fish, saltwater taffy, and shrimp bait props were tossed into the crowd. “24 Karat Gold” was left unfinished and transitioned into the “Forrest Gump Theme,” as the feather from the show’s opening scene slowly descended from the ceiling—bringing the entire performance and production full circle.
photos by Kevin Rankings
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