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Event Fri Oct 23 2015
14 Terrifyingly Arty Ways to Celebrate Halloween
Spooky and scary events allow us all a little fun in this so-far warm fall weather. With the witches in place in the hallway and the squirrels already eating the pumpkins on the porch, I hope I'm not the only one looking forward to some bloodcurdling scares this Halloween season. So here's a list of 14 thrilling theater productions and other artistic events (in no particular order) so that you can celebrate Hallow's Eve this year.
1. No One Here But Witches at Uptown Underground
Chicago's only "Retrotainment" venue gives you reason to enjoy burlesque, comedy, circus, magic and the speakeasy lifestyle every night for the rest of October. No One Here But Witches features witch-themed cabaret Monday nights at 7:00pm. Each other 8pm nightly production brings another magical experience at the Uptown Underground featuring "gore-lesque", freak-show striptease, circus arts and more. 21+ Advance reservation recommended. Click here for more information.
Sanjula and Red Rum at Uptown Underground.
Dates: Monday nights for No One Here But Witches, otherwise every night in October
Location: 4707 N. Broadway
Price: $5-$40
2. Too Much Fright Makes The Baby Go Blind at Neo-Futurists
30 plays. 60 minutes. Dark humor. Exploring the terror in the back of your mind. Candy. Real-Life Truth that gives you the heeby-jeebies, haunted house style. Costumes are encouraged on this Halloween night event. Doors open at 7pm, show begins at 7:30pm. Follow this link to get your ticket!
Date: Oct. 31
Location: 5153 N. Ashland Ave.
Price: $25
3. Zombie Seinfeld, Ghostbusty: A Ghostbusters Burlesque & Mana and Her Underground Family at Gorilla Tango Theatre
Gorilla Tango Theatre has multiple shows attracting Chicago to the "boo"-ming Halloween spirit. Mana and Her Underground Family gives insight back to the awkward high school years with a tweak of freaky in this psycho-drama-romantic-dark comedy on Wednesdays at 9:30pm. Zombie Seinfeld explores what would happen if zombies overtook the hit series Seinfeld, showing on Saturdays at 7:30pm. Ghostbusty exposes paranormal activity in a sensual way with gorgeous ghosts, striptease, sexy Slimer and more on Saturday nights at 10:30pm. Check out their website for more info.
Dates: Wednesday and Saturday nights through Oct. 31 with Ghostbusty continuing through mid-December
Location: 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Price: $12-$28
4. Babysitter Massacre '78: The Musical at Public House Theatre
"The call is coming from inside the house!" police notify the six teenagers in this comedy's world premiere. With the scene set as a 1978 New Year's Eve Party to remember, prank phone calls lead to a terrifying reality that the psychopath is inside the house. That's something that was only to believed to have happened in myths! With '70s funk and folk-style musical score, this show will bring you to horrific limits in song. Showing Thursdays at 8pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 10pm. 18+. Watch the trailer and get your tix here.
Dates: Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays during October
Location: 3914 N. Clark
Price: $20
5. "The One Act Festival: Halloween Edition" at Stage 773
Seven theater productions unite to create one festival production that is spooky and horrific. A must-see, hair-raising One-Act Festival that will turn heads. Theater companies include: Babes With Blades Theatre Company, Cold Basement Dramatics, Hobo Junction Productions, New Millennium Theatre Company, Organic Theater Company, (re)discover theatre, and The Ruckus. Shows Fridays at 10:30pm. Order tickets now!
Dates: Fridays in October
Location: 1225 W. Belmont
Price: $15
6. "Chicago Horror Theatre Festival" by Cowardly Scarecrow Theatre at Stage 773
Death, murder and macabre unites this festival as it combines burlesque, sketch comedy, dance, and cabaret. Produced by the Cowardly Scarecrow Theatre Company, it will be evident that the spine-chilling begins as soon as you walk through the door. Includes performances such as The Musical of the Living Dead, Musical Horror Story: Exorcism, and The Haunted Life. Shows start at 7pm Thursday and Friday Oct. 29-30 and at 6pm on Saturday Oct. 31. Get more information here.
Dates: Oct. 29, 30, 31 and Nov. 5, 6, 7 with two Sunday performances Nov 1
Location: 1225 W. Belmont
Price: $15-$25 per show or $140 weekend pass or $200 for 20-show ticket
Photo by Rick Aguilar Studios.
7. Scream, Queen, Scream! by Hell in A Handbag Productions at Mary's Attic
A world premiere production that keeps you on the edge of your seat with frightening acting from television's famous horror series. With monsters, dolls, greedy men and savage secretaries, this show presents three terrifying tales inspired by the stories from Night Gallery, Tales From the Crypt and Creepshow. Showtime is at 7:30pm with matinees on Saturdays at 3:30pm and Sunday shows at 6:30pm. Tickets here.
Dates: Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays in October
Location: 5400 N Clark
Price: $18-$40
8. In the Asylum with Edgar Allan Poe at ColorBox Theatre at Royal George Theatre Center
What if Edgar Allan Poe was institutionalized? With such vivid imagery in his poems, this play creates the illusion that perhaps some of Poe's greatest works were written behind padded walls. Maybe spirits of his past had visited him to inspire those important written works of art. Get thinking about it evenings at 8pm, Oct. 23-24 and Oct. 30-31. Matinee productions at 3pm take place Oct. 25 and Nov. 1. There is also a matinee showing at 5pm on Oct. 24 and 31. More information here.
Dates: Oct. 23-Nov. 1
Location: 1641 N Halsted
Price: $26
9. Haunted and Vampyre Hunter High at Under the Gun Theatre
An Improvised Horror movie will be created in front of your eyes at Under the Gun Theatre's Haunted. Yell out what scares you the most and the cast will make it happen, whether it's zombies or a semi truck hitting you on the highway, chainsaws or vampires, this show is sure to inspire with its unpredictability. Shows begin on Fridays Oct. 24 and 30 at 9pm. Vampyre Hunter High is a improvised romantic comedy show that watches students disappear as school begins. With students more worried about their date to the dance, they become immune to the possibility that one of their own could be a werewolf or a vampire causing the trouble. Saturdays Oct. 24 and 31 at 10:30pm. Check out their calendar for more information.
Dates: Oct. 23, 30 and Oct. 24, 31
Location: 956 West Newport
Price: $12 (Haunted) and $15 (Vampyre Hunter High)
10. Goblin Market at Black Button Eyes Production at Flat Iron Arts Building
Intrigued by music and goblins? This eery production peers into the minds of two sisters as they both react differently to the goblins in their life. Now, an exclusive offer to see both Goblin Market and Underscore Theatre Company's The Story of a Story (The Untold Story) the same day for only $35. Goblin Market starts at 7:30pm and The Story of a Story (The Untold Story) at 9:00pm. Order tickets today!
Dates: Oct. 23, 24, 30, 31 at 7:30pm and 9pm and Oct. 25 at 2pm and 4pm.
Location: 1579 N. Milwaukee (and Chopin Theatre-1543 W Division St)
Price: $25 for Goblin Market, $35 for both productions
Photo Credit Heather Scholl.
11. One Brain More: A Zombie Les Misical at MCL Chicago
Zombie apocalypse meets musical in this Les Miserables spin-off. Set in 2023, the storyline takes us to places where being saved by a priest causes a former lawyer to have a change of heart. Shows take place Fridays 8pm and a special production on Halloween, Oct. 31. BYOB. Tickets available here.
Dates: Fridays in October plus Oct. 31
Location: 3110 N. Sheffield Ave.
Price: $20 general, $15 for student/industry
12. Morpho Gallery Opening Reception Halloween Party
Looking for a more low-key evening? Come to the Morpho Gallery where it welcomes back the winners of the 9th Annual Juried Photography Exhibition, Brett Stoddart & Martha Kubica. Dave's Classic and Rare Records for sale, photography and a reception, this would be a night to remember. Costumes optional.
Dates: Oct. 31, 6-9pm
Location: 5216 N. Damen
Price: Free
13. Halloween Bonfire: Secret Location & Advance Tickets
Exactly what it sounds like. Wayward Productions hosts this old-school style bonfiring evening of fun. When you sign up for $10, they send you the location in a confirmation email. You can come in costume -- or not, it's up to you! Oct. 31 at 8pm. Must be 21 or older. Cash bar and food available for purchase.Get tickets here.
Date: Oct. 31, 8pm
Location: To be Released Upon Sign-up
Price: $10
14. Feral Moon and Dead End District: Wrong Turn at 13th Floor Haunted House
After its debut last year, the legendary 13th Floor Entertainment hosts a professional haunted house production filled with doom, gloom, blood and horror. This award-winning haunted house is the largest of its kind and will bring terror and surely scare the wits (or s**t) out of you. Open weeknights and weekends. Recommended for 12+. Get your tickets now.
Dates: every night thru Nov. 1
Location: 1940 George St., Melrose Park, IL
Price: $24.99-$29.99 General admission (additional $10 for Fast Pass or $20 for immediate entrance)
