The Halloween season is in full swing and that means there's plenty going on-- everything from fall festivals to pumpkin patches and haunted houses. Autumn also brings a cornucopia of performances to put you in the spirit of the season.
Here are our picks for the best thrills and chills in stage, screen and musical performances in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
DANCE
Le Ballet de Dracula
Where: Lewisville Grand Theater, 100 N. Charles St., Lewisville
When: Friday, Oct. 13, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 14, at 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $25
Le Ballet de Dracula is a spin on the Bram Stoker horror novel will put you in the Halloween spirit. It’s the classic story of the famous vampire, but told with dancing gypsies, bats, vampire brides and Dracula himself. There are only three performances at the Lewisville Grand Theater, and tickets sell out fast. Purchase your tickets now.
Nightmare Before Nutcracker
Where: Eisemann Center, 2351 Performance Drive, Richardson
When: Wednesday, Oct. 25, through Sunday, Oct. 29
Cost: $45-$75
Set to the music of Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi and Wagner along with Halloween pop hits, this seasonal ballet has many similarities to its holiday counterpart. But instead of a growing Christmas tree and a war with the Mouse King, Nightmare Before Nutcracker features action figures and toy cars doing battle against an army of cats and monsters made of kitchen utensils.
Avant Chamber Ballet: Dracula
Where: Moody Performance Hall, 2520 Flora St., Dallas
When: Friday, Oct. 27, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 28, at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $31.50-$76.50
The story of Dracula is re-imagined to reflect modern times in this chilling world premiere by Avant Chamber Ballet. The performance is accompanied by Philip Glass' score from the 1931 film classic.
READINGS
Grimmest Fables: A Spooky Story Hour for the Brave
Where: J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young St., Dallas
When: Tuesday, Oct. 31, at 2 p.m.
Cost: Free
It wouldn't be Halloween without a ghost story or two. Head downtown to the central branch of the Dallas Public Library to share your favorite spooky tale as it was meant to be heard — in the dark. All stories must be emailed to humanities@dallas.gov at least one day ahead of time to be proofread.
THEATER
The Rocky Horror Show
Where: Kalita Humphreys Theater, 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd., Dallas
When: Through Sunday, Oct. 29
Cost: $34-$90
Celebrate the Halloween season with the stage version of the cult film classic. Sweethearts Brad and Janet are stuck at the creepy mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. There, they meet a houseful of strange characters, including Frank-N-Furter's latest creation: a muscleman named Rocky. Just like the original, the kitschy musical includes plenty of props and audience participation. The show has adult themes, adult language and sexual situations.
Lyric Stage: Little Shop of Horrors
Where: Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm St., Dallas
When: Thursday, Oct. 26, through Sunday, Oct. 29
Cost: $45-$65 ($38 on Oct. 26)
Lyric Stage brings its campy, not-so-scary production of Little Shop of Horrors to the historic Majestic Theatre just in time for Halloween weekend. The musical is about a meek floral shop worker who raises a strange plant he names Audrey II, after his crush at the shop. Things quickly go awry when Audrey II develops a thirst for human blood and world domination.
Cirque du Horror
Where: Cirque du Horror Tent, 126 E. Oak St., Denton
When: Friday, Oct. 27, through Sunday, Oct. 29
Cost: Free-$40
For those taking in Denton's Day of the Dead Festival, be sure to make a stop at Cirque du Horror. The annual Halloween tent show is a blend of musical theater and cabaret featuring seasonal poems, short stories and songs.
MUSIC
Heritage Haunt
Where: Allen Heritage Village, 450 St. Mary Drive, Allen
When: Friday, Oct. 13, at 6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Celebrate Friday the 13th with a not-so-scary concert presented by the Allen Philharmonic. The family-friendly outdoor concert features many Halloween favorites, including Michael Jackson's Thriller and music from Ghostbusters and Harry Potter.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in Concert
Where: Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora St., Dallas
When: Friday, Oct. 27, and Saturday, Oct. 28, at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 29, at 3 p.m.
Cost: See website for prices.
Experience the magic of your favorite wizard in a special concert at the Meyerson. The 2004 film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban will be screened in the concert hall as the Dallas Symphony Orchestra performs John Williams’ iconic score live.
Broadway Howl-Oween Review
Where: Isis Theater, 2401 N. Main St., Fort Worth
When: Friday, Oct. 20, and Saturday, Oct. 21, at 8 p.m.
Cost: $12
Celebrate Halloween with a Broadway-style revue. The program features a night full of character interactions, photo ops and music from spooky Broadway favorites like Beetlejuice, Sweeney Todd and The Rocky Horror Show.
MOVIES
It Came From Texas Film Festival
Where: Plaza Theatre, 521 W. State St., Garland
When: Saturday, Oct. 28, and Sunday, Oct. 29
Cost: $7-$60
If you're looking for a good old-fashioned scare, don't miss the inaugural It Came From Texas Film Festival. The two-day event happens at the Plaza Theatre on the newly revamped Garland downtown square and includes B movies made in Texas from the 1950s and '60s along with the cult classic slasher film that changed everything — The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The festival closes with interactive movie comedy troupe The Mocky Horror Picture Show riffing on Texas’ biggest, baddest monster movie, The Giant Gila Monster.
Visit Go See DFW to find even more Halloween events.
The Go See DFW calendar is a partnership between KERA and The Dallas Morning News.
Got a tip? Email Therese Powell at tpowell@kera.org.