Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade. (Abel Arciniega / Tequila Graphics)
Here’s a list of hair-raising reasons to climb out of your casket and explore the necropolis. Note: We avoided anything that calls itself “spooktacular.” Also, no pub crawls. If you want to get frightfully drunk and spend the evening at 26th and California in your Wolverine costume, you’re on your own.
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“Frankenstein” – Manual Cinema at the Studebaker Theater
There are just four shows of this acclaimed adaptation with shadow puppets, cinematic technique and live music and sound effects. A bonus is the setting — the recently restored Studebaker Theater in the Fine Arts Building. Oct. 25-27
“The Tragedy of Macbeth” – Invictus Theater
Shakespeare’s shortest, bloodiest play has witches, treachery and murder. If your only experience with Shakespeare is reading “Romeo and Juliet” in high school, this will remind you that the Bard was bloody great. Previews start Oct. 29
“The Spirit Cabinet” at the Magic Parlour
Superb magician Dennis Watkins transforms his popular Magic Parlour into a spookier kind of magic show with spiritualism, crystal balls and unseen forces. You may even get a message from beyond. Just two shows: Oct. 30-31
“Día de los Muertos” with Lila Downs – Symphony Center
The vibrant Grammy-winning singer Lila Downs celebrates Mexico’s Day of the Dead with a host of friends, living and otherwise. She and her big band are joined by the Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago. Oct. 27
“Nosferatu Live.” (Denise Romano Bright)
“Nosferatu Live” – Athenaeum Center
Rock guitarist Paul Bielatowicz stages a multimedia take on the silent horror classic. Live music accompanies the 1922 film with veterans of the bands Dream Theater and Eagles of Death Metal, plus special guests on video. Oct. 25-26
Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade – North State Street
More family-friendly than frightening, this 10th annual parade begins outside of Macy’s and features innovative floats, spectacular puppets and performance. This celebration of “the artists’ holiday” is presented by LUMA8. Oct. 19
“Sones de Mexico” Day of the Dead Concert – Dominican University
Feel the magic of Dia de Muertos through the melodies and rhythms of Mexico. Folk music and cultural traditions combine, and patrons are invited to contribute to a community ofrenda, honoring loved ones with mementos. Oct. 25
“Little Shop of Horrors” – North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
Music Theater Works stages the ever-popular musical by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken. This sci-fi horror-comedy-rock-musical-love-story about a man-eating plant will have you singing “Feed Me” at intermission. Opens Oct. 24
“Little Shop of Horrors.” (Courtesy of Music Theater Works)
Horrorwood Podcast Live! – Venus Cabaret Theater
The award-winning podcast goes live for the first time. Hosts Kate McCoy and Kevin Corbett explore the spooky places of Hollywood, including unsolved mysteries and horrendous homicides from Tinseltown’s history. Oct. 25
“Pay the Piper” – local bookstores
Support your local authors, especially if they collaborated with the late Godfather of Zombies, George Romero. But there are no zombies here: Evanston author Daniel Kraus found and completed a Romero manuscript about a swamp monster.
“Dracula” – Brightside Theatre
If you have a taste for blood and the downtown theaters are just too far, the Prince of Darkness will also be appearing in Naperville. Brightside Theatre stages the sinister classic with an original score by Paul Scherer. Opens Oct. 18
“Deviant Cabaret” – Alhambra Palace
Chicago-based group Sideshow Villains perform songs about revenge and mayhem. This “deviant” show blends dance, circus and cabaret acts designed to disturb and delight, and it’s all set inside a plush Middle Eastern restaurant. Oct. 27
“Bram Stoker’s Dracula” in Concert – Auditorium Theater
And one post-Halloween pick: Francis Ford Coppola’s audacious 1992 film features a thrilling score by composer Wojciech Kilar. Here it’s performed live by the Chicago Philharmonic with full orchestra and chorus. Nov. 9
Marc Vitali is the JCS Fund of the DuPage Foundation Arts Correspondent.