Halloween is the new Christmas.
Theater companies have long loaded up on Yuletide-themed shows, which must be working at pulling audiences in. Because this year, more so than any before, local theater companies are stocking up on the October spooks. A total of 16 mysteries, ghoulfests and stories of random mayhem are being served up in the state this season. A recap:
Through today, Oct. 30:
Curtains Up’s “Bunnicula”: Based on the children’s stories about the vampire bunny, Bunnicula, who sucks the blood, er, juice, out of vegetables. Family-friendly. 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. today. 3900 W. 32nd Ave., 720-308-2920 or
Through Saturday, Oct. 31
Victorian Playhouse’s “The Butler Did It”: A murder mystery in which all the characters are named Butler. 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday. 4201 Hooker St., 303-433-4343 or
Vintage Theatre’s “Halloween Dreams”: Grandma has always been a Halloween fanatic, but this year there’s a real murderer on the loose in the neighborhood. Family-friendly. 7:30 today, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. 2119 E. 17th Ave., 303-839-1361 or vintage
The Bug’s “Night of the Living Dead”: George Romero’s 1968 Zombie thriller as it was never meant to be seen: Live . . .. onstage. 8 p.m. today and Saturday. 3654 Navajo St., 303-477-9984 or
Thin Air Theatre’s “The Lost Soul of Cripple Creek”: A melodrama about a poor Cripple Creek miner who journeys to Denver to reclaim his wife and have vengeance on the villain who stole her. Butte Opera House, 139 E. Bennett Ave., Cripple Creek, 719-235- 8944 or
73rd Ave. Theatre’s “The Rocky Horror Show”: Let’s do the time warp again, with Brad, Janet and that sexy beast Dr. Frank N. Furter. Dress as your favorite character, but no props allowed. 11 p.m. today and Saturday. 7287 Lowell Blvd., Westminster, 720-276-6936 or the73rdavenuetheatrecompany
E-Project’s “Dracula”: Steven Dietz’s adaptation revisits the often forgotten themes like sensuality, secrecy and religious aspects that made the original Bram Stoker novel a legend. 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday. 9797 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood, 303-232-0363 or
Colorado Homegrown Tales’ “Ghostlight”: Storytellers float from room to room in the historic Byers-Evans House with a reader’s-theater presentation of theatrical ghost stories based on real- life events. 7 p.m. today and Saturday, 1310 Bannock St., 720- 233-0811 or
Through Nov. 7
Firehouse Theater’s “Haunted”: A theatrical exploration of Colorado’s most notoriously haunted locations and uncommon events. 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. At the John Hand Theatre, 7653 E. First Place, 303- 562-3232 or firehousetheater
Theatre Company of Lafayette’s “Twilight Zone Returns!”: Three episodes from the classic sci-fi series are staged live, along with vintage commercials. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday at the Mary Miller Theater, 300 E. Simpson St., 720-209-2154 or
Candlelight Dinner Playhouse’s “Phantom”: This is not Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway behemoth, rather a more intimate and character-driven variation on Gaston Leroux’s classic story, with music by Arthur Kopit and Maury Yeston. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. 4747 Market Place Drive, Johnstown, 970-744-3747, 1-877-240-4242 or
Through Nov. 8
Heritage Square Music Hall’s “The Villain Pursued Her”: A classic melodrama in which you boo the villain and cheer on the handsome hero. 7 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays- Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. 18301 W. Colfax Ave., Golden, 303-279-7800 or
Through Nov. 14
Modern Muse’s “The Woman in Black”: Arthur Kipps, a middle- aged solicitor, hires the services of a professional actor to help him re-enact to family and friends — and thereby hopefully exorcise — a ghostly event that befell him many years previously. At Margery Reed Hall on the University of Denver campus, South University Boulevard and East Evans Avenue. 8 p.m. Fridays- Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. 303- 780-7836 or
California Actors Theatre’s “Sleuth”: Anthony Shaffer’s popular mystery about a man who invites his wife’s lover to meet him, setting up a battle of wits with deadly results. 7:30 p.m. Fridays- Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. 1250 Hover Drive, Twin Peaks Mall, Longmont, 303-774-1842 or
Adams Mystery Playhouse’s “Welcome to Murder Mortuary” and “Murder in the Haunted Mansion”: Interactive, Halloween-themed mystery dinner theater. 6 and 10 p.m. today, 11 a.m., 3, 6 and 10 p.m. Saturday, other times vary. Costumes encouraged. 2406 Federal Blvd., 303-455-1848 or
Through Nov. 15
73rd Avenue Theatre’s “And Then There Were None”: Classic Agatha Christie mystery about 10 people who are invited to spend the weekend at a house on an island. 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday. 7287 Lowell Blvd., 720-276- 6936 or the73rd
This weekend’s theater openings
Big Love” This is Charles Mee’s contemporary adaptation of Aeschylus’ “The Suppliants.” On the morning of their wedding, 50 grooms arrive at the altar – and 50 unwilling brides run away. With the men in pursuit, the biggest day of their lives dissolves into comic mayhem – and a choice between true love and loyalty that only some survive. Presented by the Aluminous Collective on Thursday, Oct. 29, and Friday, Oct. 30, at Naropa University, 2130 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, 720-221-3821 or Also plays Nov. 6-21 at the Bindery Space, 770 22nd St, Denver.
“Calamity” A two-person Wild West show that re-creates Deadwood’s gender-bending heroine, Calamity Jane, in all her glory, comedy and sexual ambiguity. Stars Ethelyn Friend, with live music. Through Nov. 15. Presented by Facing June Productions at the Rock ‘n Soul Cafe, 5290 Arapahoe Ave., No. 1, Boulder, 720-323-4665 or
“The One-Eyed Man Is King” This modern fable by Carter Lewis, inspired by the H.G. Wells short story “The Country of the Blind,” centers on the charismatic Bendalli, a blind thief who struggles to “see” his way into the lives of those he robs, and Lise, a lonely woman trying to cope with the impending loss of her terminally ill husband. Through Nov. 28. Presented by OpenStage at the Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., Fort Collins, 970-221-6730 or
Complete theater listings
Go to our complete list of in Colorado, including summaries, run dates, addresses, phones and links to every company’s home page. Or check out our listings or
The new-look Running Lines blog
Catch up on John Moore’s roundup of theater news and dialogue. .
