16 haunted performances for this Halloween

Before the Halloween season comes and goes, make sure to check out the variety of spooky performances happening this year. Below is a list of family-friendly activities, along with a few scarier performances for older audiences.

Now-Nov. 10: "Wicked-er!" (Desert Star Theatres, Murray) — Vanna White gets sucked into the world of Oz. Things take a turn when she leaves the yellow brick road and decides to follow her GPS instead.

Sept. 28-Oct. 28: "Y Light" (The OBT, Salt Lake) — This comedic-Halloween parody explores what Mormon vampires would be like at BYU.

Sept. 28-Oct. 31: "Thriller" (Salt Lake, Ogden, Logan, Provo, Park City, Ivins — Tuacahn) — Odyssey Dance Theatre is back again with all frights, amazements, scares and laughs.

Oct. 4-27: "Blithe Spirit" (Covey Center, Provo) — A play about one man with two wives. But one is a ghost.

Oct. 5-29: "Hotel Frankenstein" (Valley Center Playhouse, Lindon) — Back in high demand, the longest-running consecutive production from the Valley Center Playhouse.

Oct. 6-31: "Halloween Hoot" (Tracy Aviary, Salt Lake) — A haunted bird show will take place along with several other Halloween activities. Dress in costume and get 50 percent off your admission.

Oct. 11-27: "Into the Woods" (Grand Theatre, Salt Lake) — A collection of fairytale characters all smashed together.

Oct. 11-30: "Witchapalooza" (Music Dinner Theatre, Gardner Village, West Jordan) — The Taming of the Brew is back by demand and will be sure to delight with a fabulous live band and a charming storyline.

Oct. 19-27: "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" (Cache County Fairgrounds, Logan) — This thrilling tale features a storyteller, music, choir, sound effects artist and a “live” headless horseman.

Oct. 24-26: "The Phantom of the Opera"-Silent Movie (Edison Street Events, South Salt Lake) — Annual showing of Lon Chaney's "Phantom" on a high-definition projector.

Oct. 25, 26: Utah Philharmonia "Halloween: The Haunted Orchestra" (Kingsbury Hall, Salt Lake)

Oct. 27: "Thriller Snow Dance" (Town Lift Plaza, Park City) — The fourth annual party where all are invited to dance to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" in the snow, dressed as a Zombie.

Oct. 27: "Halloween Bash" (Edison Street Events, South Salt Lake) — Enjoy a feast of roast beef and chicken cordon bleu with Dave Massey to perform — dancing to follow.

Oct. 30: "Halloween Hi-Jinks" by the Utah Symphony (Abravanel Hall, Salt Lake) — Participate in Utah's largest costume contest, and then enjoy spooky sounds from the Utah Symphony.

Oct. 30-Nov. 18: "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" (University of Utah, Salt Lake) — Early student showing of this spooky play: October 30-31.

Visit each event's website to find out pricing and show times.

Sarah Sanders Petersen is an intern for Deseret News where she writes for Mormon Times and other feature articles. She is a Communications major and editing minor.