Classic silent films, live performances and cult classics in Long Beach for every weekend of the holiday season.
As the days shorten and chilly nights claim the spotlight, autumn lovers are in luck—the calendar is chock-full of horrifying, darkly funny, and historical performances to fill the season.
Gather your friends and Halloween-loving family and get ready to be greeted by Frankenstein, Nosferatu and Michael Meyers along with a whole new slew of creepy cast members at the various shows and screenings this Halloween season.
Residents can start the month off with iconic silent films with a live orchestra, step into new-age plays and performances that shock and challenge its viewers and close the month with family-friendly historical performances in a cemetery.
This scarily good Halloween lineup of performances will satisfy every ghoul and goblin that calls Long Beach home.
“Frankenstein 1930” by the Long Beach Playhouse
Shows Fridays through Sundays until Oct. 21
Fans of the classic tale of Frankenstein will be delighted to see the same old story with a new air of levity and romance, in the “Frankenstein 1930” production by playwright Fred Carmichael and directed by David Scaglione.
The Long Beach Playhouse will pay homage to Mary Shelley’s novel complete with a mad scientist, angry villagers and the terribly misunderstood creature who is Frankenstein. For those who have seen the tale one too many times, Carmichael offers an alternate ending while still delivering on the nuances that have allowed the story to stand after all these years.
“This show is a technical colossus,” said Sean Gray, producing artistic director for the LB Playhouse in a statement. “It’s got a fearful, raging storm, a crazed scientist, a lumbering creature, an angry mob, and a sweet love story. It gives us a lot of creative opportunities to use lighting, sound effects, and visual tricks to heighten the emotions of the story. The audience will be captivated from the first moment to the last.”
“Frankenstein 1930” will be showing Fridays through Sundays until Oct. 21 at the Long Beach Playhouse at 5021 E Anaheim St. Friday and Saturday shows are at 8 p.m. while Sunday shows are at 2 p.m.
Tickets range from $20 to $30 depending on the day of the performance, and can be purchased at www.lbplayhouse.org.
“Deathtrap” at International City Theatre
Thursdays through Sundays from Oct. 20 to Nov. 5
If you love Ira Levin’s eerie, suspenseful creations like “Rosemary’s Baby” and “The Stepford Wives,” you can slip into that state of anxiety and levity with “Deathtrap,” playing at the International City Theatre.
The Tony-nominated production will be directed by Jamie Torcellini and will draw laughter and gasps from audiences for three weeks of performances. Levin weaves together a tense story of a desperate playwright who finally gets his opportunity to make his comeback when a former student sends him a manuscript. But the spotlight only has room for one person.
A cast made up of a devious playwright, devoted wife, wacky neighbor, unsuspecting student and snooping family lawyer fill out this story. As the longest-running comedy-thriller on Broadway, “Deathtrap” is sure to provide the suspense and unexpected laughter that only Levin can deliver.
“I wanted to direct a piece that not only keeps me on the edge of my seat but makes me jump out of it,” Torcellini said in a statement. “Deathtrap is a wonderfully crafted play with beautifully written characters that are multi-dimensional and full of surprises.”
“Deathtrap” will run on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. from Oct. 20 to Nov. 5 at the International City Theatre in the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center at 330 East Seaside Way.
Tickets are $35 for the two preview nights on Oct. 18 and 19; $49 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; $52 on Sundays; $55 on opening night Oct. 20; and $89 for the dinner package which includes a three-course meal from L’Opera Ristorante and tickets for the show. Tickets can be purchased online.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Long Beach Art Theatre
Saturday, Oct. 21 at 11:59 p.m.
Lovers, friends and fans of outlandish cult classics can “shiver in antici … pation!” with a special screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Long Beach Art Theatre. The story of two squares losing their innocence in a mansion ruled by decadence and pleasure features aliens, cross dressing, tons of songs and extravagant costumes.
The 1975 musical has amassed generations of fans who often attend performances dressed in costume, with props and responses ready to shout at the exact right times. The Long Beach Art Theatre cherishes this tradition, and encourages attendees to dress up for the occasion.
Fans have made the film an experience best served with a lively audience, with traditions such as throwing rice at the screen when the square newlyweds Brad and Janet walk out of the church, throwing toast at the screen when Dr Frank N Furter proposes a toast, snapping their fingers after certain songs and many other games that vary across screenings.
Props will be available at the showing in limited quantities, but the theater asks that residents refrain from the tradition of throwing rice.
Tickets are $13.50 and can be purchased online.
“Nosferatu” silent screening with live organ at the First Congregational Church of Long Beach
Friday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m.
Residents can enjoy the classic tale of “Nosferatu” the way audiences did in 1922, with a live organ setting the sonic tones of each scene.
Professional musician, composer, church organist and pianist Robert York will play the organ while families enjoy the film in the church’s sanctuary. Attendees are encouraged to wear costumes and arrive 30 minutes early to get a good seat. A free-will offering is encouraged, but the event is free.
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27 for the screening at 241 Cedar Ave.
“Halloween” on 16mm film at the Long Beach Art Theatre
Saturday, Oct. 28 at 11:59 p.m.
The beloved 1978 John Carpenter film “Halloween” will be showing on 16mm film for one night only at the Long Beach Art Theatre with a special midnight showing. Attendees can watch the iconic story of the crazed killer who preys on babysitters in the dead of night, then scurry to their cars and homes following the late showing.
Since 1978, Michael Meyers has become a franchise in his own right, with a total of 13 movies as well as novels, a video game and comic books diving into the character’s origins. Residents can watch the movie that started it all, in a film format similar to when the movie was released in 1978. Tickets are $13.50 and can be purchased online.
27th Annual Historical Cemetery Tour at Sunnyside Cemeteries
Saturday, Oct. 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Historical Society of Long Beach is back for the 27th rendition of their beloved cemetery tours. Local community-theater actors will don clothing of the various time periods and perform the stories of the people buried at Municipal Cemetery and Sunnyside Cemetery.
Eight various stories will be detailed and performed, revealing extraordinary lives and deaths of the people who have shaped Long Beach into what it is now. This year, residents can learn about the history of African American families in Long Beach, Japanese American Terminal Islanders, the family history of Long Beach councilmember Daryl Supernaw and more families.
The event is all-ages friendly and will also feature a Dia de los Muertos installation, historical displays, traditional dances and items for purchase. Residents can bring their own food and refreshments, lay down a blanket and soak up local history under the shade of trees.
Performances are about 10 minutes and are repeated every 20 minutes from 9 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. Attendees can arrive at noon and still get the full experience. Parking is limited, so carpooling is recommended.
The Historical Cemetery Tour will take place at Sunnyside Cemetery (1095 E Willow St.) and Municipal Cemetery (1151 E Willow St.). Presale tickets are $25, day-of tickets are $30 and youth ages 5 to 18 tickets are $8 and can be purchased online.
“Nosferatu” silent screening with a live orchestra at Long Beach Art Theatre
Tuesday, Oct. 31 at 7:30 p.m.
The Long Beach Art Theatre will return to its roots with a live orchestra for a Halloween night silent screening of “Nosferatu.”
The orchestra will feature a conductor, keyboards, violins, percussions, a double bass, reeds and flutes by the Jack Curtis Dubowsky Ensemble. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online.
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