Scares on the stage

While many people in Sacramento are just starting to search for their next Halloween party costumes, a number of local actors are already donning makeup and getting ready to act out scenes from some of the nation’s favorite Halloween-themed stories. For those looking to see one or more of these scary stories performed on stage, here are a few good options.

Young Frankenstein opened at American River College Theatre (4700 College Oak Drive) over the weekend. The Mel Brooks-penned musical retells the classic story of Frankenstein with a live orchestra, song and dance. Tickets are $8-$15, and the show plays at various times through Sunday, October 26. Head to www.arctheatre.org for show times and more details.

There are two zombie musicals, too: The Sacramento Comedy Spot’s back-to-back performance of Zombie The Musical ($10, 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Friday, October 31 at 1050 20th Street, Suite 130; http://saccomedyspot.com/zombie-the-musical), and Sutter Street Theatre’s Evil Dead: The Musical ($15-$23, various show times through November 1 at 717 Sutter Street in Folsom; www.sutterstreettheatre.com).

Sacramento horror and trash-film festival the Trash Film Orgy (http://trashfilmorgy.com) recently announced that its last-ever event at the Crest Theater (1013 K Street) will be a Halloween-themed shindig on Friday, October 24. It’ll feature a screening of the Tim Burton film, Beetlejuice—plus games, contests, a deejay and a live stage show. It’s an 18-and-over affair, tickets are $10 ($9 for people in costume), and doors open at 8 p.m. for the 9 p.m. event.

Also combining films and live acting, the Sacramento Horror Film Festival (www.sachorrorfilmfest.com) hosts a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with acting troupe Amber’s Sweets’ “shadow cast” acting out scenes from the movie. It happens on Friday, October 31, and doors open at 10 p.m. at the Colonial Theatre, 3522 Stockton Boulevard. Tickets are $20 for general admission, and various VIP ticket options ($35-$60) offer stuff like prop kits, photos with the cast and promotional posters.