Temperatures are dropping, the leaves are changing color, and costumes are being assembled—Halloween is right around the corner. Whether you're stocking up on green body paint for a killer Elphaba look or hand-bedazzling a Moulin Rouge! corset, Playbill has you covered with plenty of places to show off your costume.
As October 31 gets closer, Playbill has put together a list of activities for theatre fans to celebrate the spooky season on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and beyond. See below for a list of special Halloween events for theatre fans.
1. See a horror movie on stage at Teeth Off-Broadway
Michael R. Jackson and Anna K. Jacobs' Teeth—adapted from the 2007 horror comedy film of the same name—began a commercial Off-Broadway run at New World Stages October 18, with opening night fittingly set for Halloween, October 31. The story follows evangelical Christian teenager Dawn O'Keefe, whose body bites back when men try to violate her. Whether you're seeing the show on Halloween or the days around it, we've been told that the front row is a stage blood splash zone. Dress accordingly.
2. Kill an Evening with Edgar Allan Poe at the Merchant's House Museum
John Kevin Jones' one-man show Killing an Evening with Edgar Allan Poe will play 12 performances October 31–November 8 at the Merchant's House Museum, just blocks from where Edgar Allan Poe lived on West 3rd St. in 1845. Dr. Rhonda Dodd directs the intimate production, which allows for just 40 audience members per performance, and includes performances of Poe's poems including “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Cask of Amontillado,” “The Angel of the Odd,” and The Raven.” Click here for tickets.
3. Hocus Pocus fans: Stream Jay Armstrong Johnson's I Put a Spell On You
Jay Armstrong Johnson's annual Hocus Pocus-themed Halloween concert evening I Put a Spell On You played Webster Hall October 21. If you missed the live performance, don't worry—a film capture will stream here via Broadway on Demand October 27–31.
This year's roster of performers included Tony winner J. Harrison Ghee (Some Like It Hot), Todrick Hall (Kinky Boots), Robyn Hurder (Moulin Rouge!), Karli Dinardo (Hamilton), Stephen Brower (Lempicka), Yeman Brown (Queen of Versailles), Max Clayton (Music Man), Heath Saunders (Company), Emma Sofia (Cats: "The Jellicle Ball"), Nick Gaga, Domanick Hubbard (Jesus Christ Superstar), F. Michael Haynie (The Heart of Rock and Roll), Jonte' Moaning, Kimmi Moore, Jake Pedersen (Wicked), and Trent Saunders (Hadestown). Karma Jenkins (The Time Traveler’s Wife) will be Dani Dennison, with Maddox Martin and Kathryn Priest as Max and Allison, respectively.
And, of course, back alongside Johnson as Winifred Sanderson were Allison Godleski and Amanda Williams Ware as Sarah and Mary Sanderson, respectively.
4. Attend the Trans Voices Cabaret's Halloween-themed show at Caveat
The Trans Voices Cabaret, which features transgender and non-binary performers, will return to Caveat in Manhattan October 26 for a Halloween-themed evening. TV creator Donnie Cianciotto will be the show's emcee, alongside co-host Crybaby. Farrah Rotman will serve as music director. Click here for tickets
5. Step inside the "Thriller" music video at MJ The Musical
Every Halloween, MJ The Musical celebrates with a special finale performance of Michael Jackson's "Thriller," featuring the choreography from the classic music video as well as one-night-only costumes, lighting, and projections. You can catch this curtain call performance at all three current productions of MJ: at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre, Prince Edward Theatre in London's West End, and Detroit's Fisher Theatre (which will be hosting the musical's U.S. national tour). Audience members are also encouraged to wear costumes that evening.
6. Dress up as your favorite Broadway character for the Museum of the City of New York's Halloween party
The Museum of the City of New York is hosting its annual MCNY Halloween Bash: Best of Broadway October 26. The evening will include costume prizes, catering, dance performances by ThrillerNYC, and after-hours access to the museum's exhibitions.
7. Take a tipsy trip to Transylvania with Drunk Dracula
For theatregoers over 21, Drunk Shakespeare Society will present Drunk Dracula, "a spooky night of booze-infused laughs" loosely based on Bram Stoker's classic, October 9–November 3 at the Ruby Theater. The show is written by Lori Wolter Hudson and co-created by Hudson, Lisa Klages Calhoun, David Hudson, and Scott Griffin. Craft cocktails and snacks will be available for purchase during all performances.
8. Attend Now That's What I Call Broadway! at 54 Below
Famed cabaret venue 54 Below will present Now That's What I Call Broadway! Halloween Edition October 25. Hosted and produced by Zach Kelley and Katherine Schaber, the Halloween-themed evening will feature selections from Hairspray, Wicked, RENT, Legally Blonde, and more. For those who can't make it in person, the concert will be livestreamed. Click here for tickets.
9. See Some Singing Witches
And we're not talking about Wicked (though you can see that show the days around Halloween). On October 30, 54 Below will present Season of the Witch: A Halloween Cabaret, where the line-up will be witchy songs made famous by modern women—including Stevie Nicks, Chappell Roan, and the songs from the Disney+ series Agatha All Along. The evening is hosted by Mikayla Petrilla and Victoria Bost, and the performers are impressive: Taylor Iman Jones, Jasmine Amy Rogers (of the upcoming Broadway BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical), Eleri Ward, Sarah Steele, and Amy Jo Jackson.
10. Attend a Spooky Theatre Show
On Halloween, many Broadway shows will be dark. But luckily, we have this handy list of which Broadway shows will be performing on Halloween. But if you want to some spooky theatre October 31, check out Death Becomes Her, Little Shop of Horrors, and Sleep No More.
