Ghost Light

Given the elaborate costumes, sets, and stage makeup found in haunted houses, it’s hard to understand why people don’t generally consider such places as theater. To correct the oversight, we at TheaterMania hereby offer a list of haunts dedicated to spooking the entire family.

There are three haunted houses in Manhattan this year, and they’re not for children under 13; but intrepid and mature teenagers should visit Blood Manor in Chelsea, Nightmare on the Lower East Side, and William Shakespeare’s Haunted Pier downtown on the Hudson. (The latter two have special performances for younger audiences.) Rye Playland’s Scared by the Sound is also not recommended for the little ones, except at “Hardly Haunted Matinees,” which are suitable for the entire family. Kids over the age of six are invited to Long Island to take the Spooky Walk, Camp Paquatuck’s 17th annual event; all proceeds from the walk benefit handicapped children.

Moving back into the world of mainstream theater, two shows open at Off-Broadway’s New Victory Theater this month. The first, The Mouse Queen (October 14), combines imaginative puppetry with Klezmer tunes in a musical fantasia inspired by two of Aesop’s fables: Tilly the mouse and Leonard the lion leave the jungle with ambitions of world domination but encounter strange visions and obstacles as they wander through the city streets. Serious theatergoers of any age should not miss Cathay: Three Tales Of China (October 28), by the internationally renowned storyteller Ping Chong. His latest is a time-traveling journey from the ancient Tang dynasty to the Japanese occupation of China during World War II to a modern-day hotel where these worlds converge.

Also opening Off Broadway, at the Little Shubert Theatre, is the Stephen Schwartz musical Captain Louie, which was well received during its run at the York Theatre Company earlier this year. A young boy retreats into his imagination one Halloween night to avoid thinking about making new friends in a different neighborhood in this tuner by the composer of Wicked. The show opens October 31.

Symphony Space’s “Just Kidding” series boasts a variety of events for the family — including films, concerts, dance, vintage cartoons, and theater — from now through late April. October highlights include kids’ rocker Ralph Covert, former front man for the Chicago group the Bad Examples; a performance by Korean Festival of Music & Dance celebrating the Harvest Moon festival Ch’usok; Broadway and Hollywood actors reading excerpts from their favorite stories in The Book that Changed My Life; and A Little Somethin’ Spooky: Halloween on the Big Screen, a festival of classic film cartoons starring Bugs Bunny, Woody Woodpecker, Mr. Magoo, Tom & Jerry, and others.

The Vital Theater Company returns with Radiant Ruby (October 29), a new musical by the creators of Extraordinary (which picked up a Fringe Excellence award for Outstanding Music & Lyrics at the 2005 New York International Fringe Festival). Narrated by three goldfish, this quirky tale follows Rudy Rubenstein in her quest to become the most popular girl in her school. Lolli-Pops, part of the Little Orchestra Society, debut their new show A Happy Family for two performances (October 22 and 23); aimed at children ages three to five, the performance features one Mr. Maestro and his four animal friends gallivanting in a show that blends drama, dance, and art. A fall series subscription is priced under $100 and includes admission to all three of the season’s concerts.

The Philosophy Day School unveils a performing arts series called Calliope Playhouse, named after the oldest of the Greek muses who inspires song and poetry. It kicks off on October 16 with a Chinese shadow puppet play titled Tiger Tales, and returns every two weeks with storytelling sessions, mask plays, and improvisation workshops. Catch it before it closes on December 4, with a show led by artistic director Hannah Fox.

In Long Island, Theatre Three puts a new spin on an old story with The Boy Who Cried Werewolf (October 15), while Bay Street Theatre offers two shows this month: Garry Krinsky “Toying with Science” (October 9) and Hayes Greenfield’s Jazz-A-Ma-Tazz (October 23). The former employs circus routines, juggling, and music to demonstrate basic scientific principals; the latter is an educational jazz show. It’s all treats and no tricks!