In some cultures, the end of October and start of November is a time to honor the family dead, the majority of whom are kindly disposed toward their descendants. But for most Americans in 2002, Halloween is an occasion for getting SCARY. In celebration of this holiday's spirit, Chicago theaters are offering scares for all tastes--some gory, some gross, some eerie, some intellectual and some just ODD.
SEDATE SHIVERS
Gorey Stories, Blindfaith Productions. Through 11/1 at Angel Island. Phone ( 773 ) 250-7133. Eighteen humorously creepy fables by Edward Gorey--including The Wuggly Ump, The Gilded Bat and The Pious Infant--in a musical adaptation by Stephen Currens and David Aldrich.
Dracula: The Puppet Play, Red Hen Productions. Opens 10/31 through 12/31. Phone ( 773 ) 728-0599. The puppets of the Hystopolis troupe are lifelike enough to follow you home and peer in your windows--and this show has one who changes into a GIANT BAT!
The Scarecrow, North Lakeside Players. Through 11/10 at the North Lakeside Cultural Center. Phone ( 773 ) 293-1358. A witch seeking revenge on the puritan magistrate who Done Her Wrong frankensteins herself an android in Percy MacKaye's 1911 hit.
Studies In Sherlock: A Case Of Identity and The Adventure of the Second Stain, St. Sebastian Players. Through 11/17 at St. Bonaventure. Phone ( 773 ) 404-7922. Two from the archives of English Lit's foremost genius detective, one involving a missing fiancé and the other, a letter that could trigger a war, both adapted for the stage by Jim Masini.
Deathtrap, Stage Two Theatre Company. Through 10/31 in Lincolnshire. Phone ( 847 ) 432-7469. Some authors will just kill for a best-seller. Which of the two writers in Ira Levin's battle-of-the-hacks will it be?
ADULT ANGST
Seventy Scenes Of Halloween, Broutil & Frothingham Productions. Through 11/2 at the Theater Building. Phone ( 773 ) 327-5252. The trick-or-treaters are out tonight, and Jeffrey Jones' lovers are spending a quiet evening at home--but are hidden demons imperiling their relationship?
StoryTellers 2002: Twilight Zone Live, Tinfish Productions. Through 10/30. Phone ( 773 ) 549-1888. A band of mismatched individuals imprisoned in a single cell, a traveler stranded in a ruined monastery on a dark and stormy night, and a woman hiding from Death--it's an evening of Rod Serling's best, adapted for the stage:
SCREAM WITH LAUGHTER
Vampire Lesbians Of Sodom, Broutil & Frothingham Productions. Through 11/2 at the Theater Building. Phone ( 773 ) 327-5252. Alexandra Billings and Honey West suck fresh--um, blood in Charles Busch's camp parody
The Devil Vet, The Mammals. Through 11/2 at the Theater Building. Phone ( 773 ) 327-5252. Is the simian in the cage a man or an animal? Why is the Doctor more enamored of puppy-dog tails than with sugar and spice? The Mammals resurrect their ( literally ) underground parody.
Tales From Mom's Crypt 666: Mark Of The Tiffabeast, Corn Productions. Through 10/31 at the Cornservatory. Phone ( 312 ) 409-6435. Robert Bouwman and Todd Schaner are back in mother-daughter drag, battling an array of seasonal villains.
Renfield, WNEP Theater Foundation. Through 11/29. Phone ( 773 ) 755-1693. You remember Renfield--the arachnophagous accountant who agreed to a meeting at his client's home. Now we hear HIS story, told by Jonathan Pitts and live ( so they say ) actors.
Evil Dead! The Musical, Rowhouse Theatre. Through 11/2. Phone ( 773 ) 989-4515. Low-budget spoof of Sam "Spiderman" Raimi's low-budget bloodflick staged outdoors in a back yard just off Broadway. The evening may also include a surprise appearance by police come to investigate all the ruckus.
Attack Of The World Wide Weird, The Wrecking Crew. Through 10/26 at the Chase Café. Phone 250-3004. Improv-based sketch comedy based on items from the Chuck Shepard collection.
Terrorslide, Mr. Fancypants. Through 11/2 at the Playground. Phone ( 773 ) 871-3793. Midnight improv-comedy spoofing teen-killer movies.
Daylight Savings Time ends on October 27, making it even easier to--uh, dig yourself up a jolly good fright this Hallow's Eve. Boo!