Halloween is a time for candy and scares, and in Long Beach’s theater scene, also a time for Shakespeare, monsters, musicals and murders.
From the light and family-friendly, to the macabre and murder mystery, live performance lovers have a bit of everything in Long Beach this season.
Oct. 5 and 6 at 8 p.m. – Shakespeare on the Darkside
The Long Beach Shakespeare Company is wrapping up its second annual Poetry Festival by exploring the Bard’s dark side.
This show is an honor to Shakespeare by taking a journey down the darker themes of his work. It will explore haunting scenes from “Macbeth,” “Titus Andronicus,” “Hamlet,” and “Cymbeline.” This collection of massacres and famous bouts of insanity will show the wreckage power and vengeance can cause.
This show will present a mixture of Shakespeare’s various plays with fully-staged monologues and scenes.
Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online or at the door.
Oct. 16 – Nov. 3 – “Murder on the Links”
Something’s afoul on the private golf course at Merlinville-Sur-Mer, namely the body of Hercule Poirot’s newest client.
Acclaimed playwright Steven Dietz brings the famed Belgian detective to life to solve one of Agatha Christie’s most intricate whodunits at International City Theatre. A cast of six versatile actors embody myriad characters as they navigate the twists and turns of this lively and fun new adaptation, directed by Todd Nielsen.
Tickets range from $37-55, with dinner packages available for $89.
Oct. 17 – 19 at 8 p.m. – Classic Spooktacular
From the music of John Williams, Pacific Symphony’s show asks the question, “If you were the devil, would you come to Eastwick?” Experience the shadowy allure of Halloween and surrender to the cinematic frights and delights of “Devil’s Dance,” written by John Williams, one of the greatest film composers of our time.
Experience “The Devil’s Box” with virtuoso Meredith Crawford on viola, as well as Berlioz’s “Symphonie Fantastique” as they cast a spell of haunting narratives and chilling melodies. This concert promises a spine-chilling blend of musical sorcery and symphonic spectacle to create a bewitching evening worthy of a drive to Costa Mesa.
Attendees can be treated to a preview talk at 7 p.m. with KUSC host Alan Chapman.
Tickets start at $27 and can be purchased online.
Select dates now through Oct. 19 – “The Passion of Dracula”
The Long Beach Playhouse is ringing in the Halloween season by honoring one of the holiday’s iconic monsters. Playwrights Bob Hall and David Richmond crafted this story set in 1911, where Dr. Seward presides over a mental hospital next to a quiet English village. But a new resident to the locality has caused quite a stir, the charming and seductive Count Dracula. When Seward’s ward, Wilhelmina, suffers from a strange wasting disease and grows more and more drawn to the stranger, can Professor Van Helsing, formidable Freudian analyst Dr. Helga Van Zandt, and young reporter Jonathan Harker solve the mystery and keep the young woman from falling into an undying abyss of the Count’s alluring powers?
This show contains adult themes, fog and smoke effects, flashing lights, simulated smoking, simulated violence, depictions of self harm and loud gunshots.
Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased online.
Select dates now through Oct. 20 – “Little Shop of Horrors”
This cult classic will shine on the big stage in South Coast Repertory’s rendition, with all the songs and laughs from the cinematic version.
At Mushnik’s Skid Row Florists, down-on-his-luck Seymour pines for his beautiful co-worker, Audrey, not knowing the feelings are mutual. When he stumbles across a strange and interesting new plant, it looks like Seymour may get everything he’s ever wanted. But first, he’ll have to tackle the sneaky succulent’s unquenchable thirst for human blood in this thrilling creature feature bursting with the sounds of doo-wop and Motown!
Tickers range from $40-121 and can be purchased online.