Best Halloween-Themed Shows In The Bay Area
Actress Evan Rachel Wood in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" (credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
If you'd prefer to watch Dracula onstage than dress up like Dracula, no problem. We've found some shows that offer a change from answering the doorbell and handing out candy.
(credit: sfsymphony.org)
"Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" – Film With Organ
Davies Symphony Hall
Grove St. between Van Ness and Franklin
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 864-6000
ww.sfsymphony.org
Date: Oct. 31, 2014
Robert Louis Stevenson penned this spooky story in 1886 as "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," and it became so popular that it has been coined in common usage and spawned dozens of film and stage adaptations over the decades. Catch John Barrymore in the restored version of the 1920 silent film accompanied by Todd WIlson playing dramatic numbers on the Ruffatti organ.
(credit: improv.org)
"Improvised Horror Musical"
BATS Improv
B350 Fort Mason Center
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 474-6776
www.improv.org/special/halloween-horror-musical
Dates: Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, 2014
Be spontaneous. Be part of the horror. The onstage improvisation will get its inspiration from the audience's suggestions as well as from horror films such as "The Poltergeist" and "The Exorcist." It's a musical, yet there's no script, no lyrics and no score until the show begins. Despite the name of the company and the fact that it's Halloween, this show has nothing to do with those nocturnal flying mammals. BATS is the Bay Area's longest-running improv performance group and school.
(credit: stanford.edu)
Halloween Concert
Dinkelspiel Auditorium
471 Lagunita Drive
Stanford, CA 94305
(650) 723-2560
www.events.stanford.edu
Date: Oct. 31, 2014
In an annual tradition, Jindong Cai conducts the Stanford Symphony Orchestra and Giancarlo Aquilanti directs the Stanford Wind Ensemble. Halloween-appropriate selections may include music from the movies, horror films, no doubt. The venue is conveniently located on campus right near Tresidder Union.
(credit: Wikimedia Commons)
"The Rocky Horror Picture Show"
Clay Theatre
2261 Fillmore St.
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 561-9921
www.tickets.landmarktheatres
Date: Oct. 31, 2014
The first-ever, best-ever and longest-ever (since 1975) running midnight interactive film is regularly featured at 11:55 p.m. at the historic Clay Theatre. There's no better time to do it again in costume than on Halloween night. For Halloween, The Bawdy Caste makes "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" come alive with a special Halloween-themed, live on-stage performance.
(credit: sonomatheatrealliance.org)
"Dracula"
Rotary Stage at Andrews Hall
Sonoma Community Center
276 E. Napa St.
Sonoma, CA 95476
(707) 938-4626
www.sonomatheatrealliance.org
Date: Oct. 16 through Nov. 2, 2014
Silver Moon Theatre artistic director Nellie Cravens is transforming the auditorium into a 1927 English sanatorium by using the integration of music and scary special effects for audiences during the production's run over three weekends. Book ahead for Halloween night. Re-live the thrilling, chilling 1897 Gothic horror novel by Bram Stoker as he unfolds the story of poor, pale Miss Lucy, the doctor's daughter.
