Are tacky haunted houses, sad, store-bought costumes and vomit-scented parties taking all the thrill out of your October 31st? No fear. Chicago's storefront-theater scene is here to rescue your Halloween from the forces of lame. Whether you want a genuine jolt, or a comedy with extra blood, these shows will keep your weekend on-theme and out of the box.
"Rhymes With Evil"
Splatter theater offers splashy gore, but for genuine Halloweentime creep, nothing beats puppets. Infusion, a company dedicated to blending the art that is theater with all arts that are not, presents the tale of a Midwestern father who builds an elaborate, imaginative (and yes, puppet-full) world for his little girl. Is there something rotten in the state of make-believe?
"Fear"
For a distinctly funky and high-brow haunted-house experience, turn to the Neo-futurists. From now through Halloween, the storied fringe troupe will turn its rambling, nook-and-cranny-ridden home space into a panoply of horrific tableaus. This promenade performance experience, based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe, should make you remember something about the Neo-futurarium. It's been on top of a funeral home this entire time.
"Bucket of Blood"
Based on a 1959 horror flick, this show takes the story of a murderous would-be artist and makes it sing. It's the most fun you'll ever have being murdered and covered in plaster. For best results, pair with "Splatter Theater". for a $20 double feature.
"Splatter Theater"
A parody of Friday the 13th-type movies, the characters in "Splatter Theater" include such archetypes as a nun, the school jock, the virgin, the class dick, and of course the bumbling old man. Laugh and watch them all die in different ways: Tongue pulled out, drill in the head, intestines being ripped out, slashed throat, and the list goes on. With freshly painted white walls on the stage before each performance, the audience will be horrified and delighted by the end, when the walls are covered in blood! On Halloween, there will be a special midnight performance in addition to the 10:01 performance. For $20, patrons can get tickets to a double feature of "Bucket of Blood" (8 p.m. Fridays) and "Splatter Theater."
Supernatural Chicago
Explore Chicago's paranormal past every Friday in an hour-long piece of interactive theater set in one of the city's most haunted nightspots! You'll hear fascinating true stories ranging from Resurrection Mary to the curse of the Cubs, all brought to life through audience-involving demonstrations of telepathy, clairvoyance and other phenomena.
"Nightmares on Lincoln Ave"
This horror sketch show offers serial infant killers, murderous couples, incestuous cannibals, and insane mothers.
The Flaming Dames in "Vamp II"
In this Halloween-themed "concept burlesque" revue from New Millennium Theatre Company, the Flaming Dames function as a team, whereas most such shows really just assemble the unique acts of individual performers into a showcase. For spectators, this may seem a "potato/po-tah-to" issue, but the latter strategy does allow greater artistic flexibility for dancers and offers a "variety sampler" for viewers, while the team approach perhaps better suits a theme — in this case, Halloween.
Theatre Hike: "Sleepy Hollow"
A charming musical about a restless ghost, a scheming schoolmaster, an apprehensive heiress, and a teenager who thinks demons are cool! The show unfolds in multiple locations, the audience hiking to each spot to see a new scene.
"Trick or Teets!"
This burlesque-inspired revue features the five Broadz and a creepy as well as catchy songs and anything-goes humor. Sequins and dirty jokes abound in a non-reveal performance that is not for the faint of heart. Come dressed in Halloween gear and receive full price drinks! Thursday shows are at Davenports Piano Bar. Friday shows are at Fizz Bar and Grill (3220 N Lincoln Ave).
"The Woman in Black"
Held at Memorial Hall Civic Theatre (10308 Main Street in Richmond), this Halloween treat provides ghostly fun. A gothic horror story about a middle-aged solicitor who hires an actor and rents out a theatre in the hope of telling his tale, this show provides spine tingling fun.
"Disturbed"
Oracle Theatre's inverted haunted house is 15 minutes of genuine destabilization. These guys don't just jump out at you from the corner, they screw with your mind. The latest incarnation of the only theatrical production to be positively reviewed by both Time Out Chicago and hauntedillinois.com will trap its audience inside the mind of a twisted artist who works with surgical tools and (gulp) human flesh.
"Fear and Fate: A Special Halloween Celebration with Eugene Burger"
Eugene Burger (dubbed Chicago's greatest magician) joins the Magic Chicago show to explore the darker side of the dark arts during this two-night-only extravaganza.
"An Apology for the Course and Outcome of Certain Events Delivered by Doctor John Faustus on This His Final Evening"
Colm O'Reilly, one of the Fringe's best and oddest miracles, reprises the show that kicked off his long collaboration with playwright Mickle Maher. As the time-trotting sorcerer Faust, addressing a quiet assembly of theater patrons on the precipice of hell, O'Reilly weaves a dingy but tangible magic. David Shapiro, as a silent, immobile Mephistopheles, doesn't have the consuming stage presence of the role's originator (O'Reilly), but then again, who does?
"Macabaret"
It's Halloween cabaret-style, if you must. The always tuneful Porchlight offers up its yearly explosion of warbling vamps and rotting zombie jazz hands. Guaranteed to be as full of scares as a fifth-grade haunted house, "Macabaret" should be the perfect diversion for those who like their Halloween shows with a healthy helping of candy corn.
"Hey! Mr. Spaceman!"
Another joyously wacked-out October party from Strange Tree. This pasteboard robot sci-fi love story will charm you out of your girdle and into the back seat of its Chevy the second you step into the theatre-cum-drive-in, complete with concession hut, and live band jamming '50s bubble-gum pop. The play is deadpan, slap-dash and hilarious, and the musical numbers are out of this world.
"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: A New Folk Musical"
Chicago Filament Theatre presents a reworking of the classic spooky tale. One year after the disappearance of Ichabod Crane, the citizens of Sleepy Hollow gather together to solve the mystery of that fateful night in this Halloween musical. Actors and ensemble members lead a variety of Halloween activities and events 30 minutes prior to curtain.
"Frankenstein"
Are you a high-falutin' literature and theater snob who still wants to walk around and get scared? The Hypocrites' promenade take on the original horror/sci-fi novel is your super-deluxe haunted house. Sean Graney's post-modernist "Frankenstein," which places audience members on-stage with the performers, will utilize four actors, plus Boris Karloff (in the form of footage from the 1931 film).
Acro-Cats Halloween Spooktacular
What's scarier than cats that can do human activities? Especially if you're allergic.
"Calls to Blood"
This creepy show masterfully manipulates dramatic clichés, veering from cheerful chick-flick to terrifyingly twisted quick enough to cause emotional whiplash — manipulating audience mindsets, too, along the way. The most macho of men will feel heartstrings tugged (and promptly ripped out). And although you can predict eventual trouble — starting from the title — it will floor you nonetheless.
The Hot Karl Spooktacular
Chicago's dirtiest long-form improv show gets a boost of Halloween spirit on the 31st, with a pre-show costume party (dressing up gets you $5 off the $10 ticket price at the door) beginning at 11 p.m., and a post-show party (beginning at 1 a.m.) with $4 Hot Karl Spooktacular shots and $7 doubles. 18+.
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Looking for more ways to celebrate the season? We've got you covered with scarily accurate info on:
Haunted Bars
Costume Shops
House Party Essentials
Candy Stores
Creepy Chicago Tours
Pumpkin Patches
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