Believe it or not, dear readers, queens and kings are not the only ones who put on costumes and make-up for Halloween. It may surprise you to learn that actors do it, too, although not nearly as well as queens and kings. Be that as it may, here are Jonny's recommendations of theatrical happenings for Halloween, shows designed to give you glimpses of ghosts, goblins and ghoulies.
Frankenstein, Theatre-Hikes at the Morton Arboretum ( 4100 Illinois Route 53 in Lisle ) through Oct. 22. It's alive, it's alive, it's alive! Mary Shelley's great gothic novel is staged outdoors in a scary yet funny adaptation by Tim Kelly. You hike from scene to scene, about two miles over two hours. You know the story: A brilliant scientist assembles pieces of the dead into a living creature—kinda like a leather bar at closing time. Two shows daily, at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.; 708-839-6897. Frankenstein will be, uh, revived Nov. 3-18 indoors at the North Lakeside Cultural Center ( 6219 N. Sheridan ) in Chicago, with Saturday and Sunday evening performances. 773-293-1358; $15.
Thriller! I Hardly Know Her, Star and Garter Burlesque at Fizz Bar and Grill ( 3220 N. Lincoln ) , Thursdays through Oct. 26. You're in for a real trick and treat with the Halloween version of Star and Garter Burlesque, featuring six beauties and at least three comedians. Star and Garter Burlesque is a new Chicago company created by Franky Vivid and Michelle L'amour of The Lavender Cabaret ( Femme TV ) . Drinks are, of course, available and the Fizz kitchen is open late. Tickets at the door or online at www.starandgarterburlesque.com; $10.
Tales from Mom's Crypt 9—Beneath the Planet of the Tiffs, The Cornservatory ( 4210 N. Lincoln ) , through Oct. 31. Tiff and Mom are the well-known dysfunctional mother-daughter team from Berwyn who just love to do Halloween. Their ninth show features such fare as Sweeney Mom, Typhoid Mary and Mel Gibson passing out treats and opinions. A special show on Oct. 26 features a post-show party with treats, cider and pumpkin carving for the standard ticket price. 312-409-6435; $10-$15 ( bargain Wednesdays, $7 ) .
The Halloween Show, Gift Theatre Company ( 4802 N. Milwaukee ) , Oct. 26-Nov. 5. In its first-ever Halloween show, the new Gift Theatre takes audiences to the Danvers State Insane Asylum for an exploration of fear, panic and horror through short works by Edgar Allen Poe, William Blake and Samuel Beckett, along with original material by the ensemble. It may be creepy, but it also will be very literate. 773-283-7071; $25.
Hallowed Haunts, Symphony Center ( 220 S. Michigan ) , Oct. 28 only ( matinee ) . For the fifth year, Symphony Center offers a Halloween family program featuring the Civic Orchestra of Chicago playing familiar frightening favorites by Grieg, Gounod, Saint-Saens, Kabalevsky and others, plus a new score to accompany the Buster Keaton silent film, The Haunted House. Costumes are encouraged for the concert, aimed at kids 5 and up. Pre-concert arts and crafts and kids' games are open to all in the Grainger Ballroom. 312-294-3000; $13-$46 adults, $9-$34 kids through 17.
Turning from Halloween to hollow wienies, now that it's turning cold, Bailiwick Repertory has set a 'clothing date' for Barenaked Lads in the Great Outdoors. After all, it simply wouldn't do to have the lads' assets shrivel from the chill. The final performance will be Nov. 26. Don't worry, though: Bailiwick has more bare butt up its—well, up its whatever. Barenaked Lads Save Christmas—with a cozy indoor setting—is scheduled to reveal itself in December.
Members of the cast and company of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee recently participated in the AIDS Foundation of Chicago's annual run/walk event, securing over $5,000 in pledges. The show continues its open-ended run at the Drury Lane Watertower Place Theatre.
Occasional fans of the long-running music-and-literature Homolatte series may not be aware that the weekly Tuesday night show moved to a new location some weeks ago. Homolatte is now at Big Chicks/Tweet ( 5024 N. Sheridan ) , with parking at the rear of the building plus easy access from the CTA bus and Red Line access.
Trick or treat—News of the Weird: A council of elders in Sudan's Upper Nile State has redefined the concept of domestic partnership by forcing a man to take a goat as his wife after he was caught having sex with the animal. The man was required to pay the goat's owner a dowry of 15,000 Sudanese dinars ( about $50 ) . 'We have given him the goat, and as far as we know they are still together,' the goat's owner said, as first reported internationally by the BBC. The story didn't indicate if the animal was a she-goat or a billy goat. Under Islamic law the goatophile may, of course, take additional wives or other livestock. We don't know whether or not Massachusetts will grant legal recognition to the union, but we're certain that the Christian Wrong will perceive the match as a violation of the sanctity of marriage, and attempt to use it as a last-minute wedge issue in the upcoming elections.
