Halloween is a monthlong affair in Chicago, and local theaters are getting in the spirit with a full slate of themed shows meant to creep you out or just provide some seasonal fun. Zombies, vampires, witches and other horrors take the stage at these eight productions, which run through Oct. 31 and beyond.
“Ghosts and Zombies” at Strawdog Theatre Company
1802 W. Berenice Ave. 773-664-1380
Akvavit Theatre presents a spin on Henrik Ibsen’s “Ghosts,” where a woman preparing to open an orphanage in her husband’s memory is forced to grapple with the ghosts of her past—along with zombies descending on her country estate.
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 29. A special show on Oct. 27 starts at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails and appetizers and features a post-show discussion with the cast.
Tickets: $25; $15 for students and industry. $50 Oct. 27. chicagonordic.org
“Carrie 2: The Rage” at The Arkham
4609 N. Clark St. 312-646-0975
Underscore Theatre Company performs a musical parody of Stephen King’s classic horror film where Carrie’s former classmate and a high school guidance counselor have to prevent history from repeating itself by keeping another goth teen from burning her school down.
When: 7:30 p.m. Monday, Friday and Saturday and 4 p.m. through Nov. 19; plus 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.
Tickets: $20 Sunday and Monday; $25 Friday, Saturday and Halloween. underscoretheatre.org
“Vampires and Vanities: An Improvised Gothic Novel” at McKaw Theater
1439 W. Jarvis Ave. 773-706-5940
The all-female comedy team Improvised Jane Austen changes things up for one night by making up a two-act show in the style of the 19th century novelist and adding vampires to the mix.
When: 7 p.m. Oct. 29
Tickets: $10. improvisedjaneausten.com
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“Mr. Lee’s Night of Horror” at The Public House Theatre
3914 N. Clark St. 773-230-4770
A sketch show in the style of “Tales from the Crypt” presents a series of 10-minute plays that explore different aspects of fear, such as paranoia, superstition and alienation.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Tickets: $15. thepubtheatre.com
“Bewildered” at Stage 773
1225 W. Belmont Ave. 773-327-5252
Hell in a Handbag Productions’ world premiere musical parody of the classic sitcom “Bewitched” is told from the perspective of Samantha Stephens’ nosy neighbor, who is trying to prove that she’s not making up the crazy things she sees in the beautiful witch’s home.
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday through Nov. 11, plus 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.
Tickets: $34-$39. handbagproductions.org
“You’re a Good Man, Mary Shelley” at The Annoyance Theatre
851 W. Belmont Ave. 773-697-9693
Mary Shelley wrote the beginnings of what would become “Frankenstein” in 1816 at a gathering hosted by Lord Byron, but the other writers there also penned ghost stories that didn’t become famous. “You’re a Good Man, Mary Shelley” imagines what five of the stories that couldn’t compete might have been like and explores the complicated relationships between the guests at Byron’s home.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Tickets: $20; $15 for students. theannoyance.com
“The Rocky Balboa Picture Show” at Cornservatory
4210 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-868-0243
A musical mash-up of “Rocky” and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is set at a mysterious training center in Russia where a pit-stained, stiletto-wearing Rocky is preparing for his big fight against Ivan Drago.
When: 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, plus 8 p.m. Oct. 31
Tickets: $10 Thursday; $15 Friday, Saturday and Halloween. BYOB. cornservatory.org
“Dracula” at Mercury Theater
3745 N. Southport Ave. 773-325-1700
At least a gallon of stage blood will be spilled every night of The Hypocrites’ production of Bram Stoker’s classic vampire story. The adaptation uses contemporary language and emphasizes how the characters play into the politics between men and women.
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday through Nov. 5; plus 8 p.m. Oct. 30 and 31. No show Nov. 1.
Tickets: $30-$55. mercurytheaterchicago.com
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Samantha Nelson is a RedEye freelancer.