As temperatures drop and pumpkins ripen, some adults and children are beginning to get in the Halloween spirit, and the Ohlook Performing Arts Center in Grapevine is putting on two productions during the next few weeks to get people into the season.
Starting Oct. 17 the arts center is putting on a rendition of "Evil Dead, The Musical" for the fifth year in a row.
"'Evil Dead' is a cult phenomenon. It's like the new 'Rocky Horror Picture Show,'" said Beth van Amerongen, board president for the Ohlook Performing Art Center. "People love seeing it again and again. Most of the original cast keeps coming back to perform again, too."
The production, consisting of 15 cast members, is described as a "campy, goofy-scary" show by van Amerongen.
"There is some gore, and we also use Reel Blood in the show, which will make it into the front two rows of the audience," she said. "So those people will likely be spewed on."
Performances occur every Friday and Saturday night at 11 p.m. starting Oct. 17 and ending Nov. 1.
Van Amerongen noted that "Evil Dead" is regarded as an adults-only show and is not suitable for children.
Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at www.ohlookperform.com. Performances take place at the Ohlook Performing Arts Center at 1631 West Northwest Highway, Grapevine.
While only a few performers are putting on "Evil Dead," the senior and master classes of the Ohlook Performing Arts Center are putting on a large-scale performance called "Nightmare on Quail Creek: The Haunted Forest."
"'Nightmare on Quail Creek' is inspired by horror movies in years past," van Amerongen said. "This is not a forest set. This is literally in a forest between Southlake and Grapevine. During the day, it's a horse-riding business."
The production, which features multiple scenes with about 25 performers, will lead audiences on a walk through the forest.
Beth Lord, the "Haunted Forest" producer, said that the performance may be intense for some people.
"Just being in the woods at night is scary enough, but add in people that are trying to scare you? It is going to be very scary," Lord said.
Lord said that there will be a few minutes of space in between each group to intensify the effect.
"A friendly version of the 'Haunted Forest' can be requested before entering the forest for kids and people who don't want to be spooked," she said. "After completing the 'Haunted Forest,' there will be tent at the end that will have games for kids and refreshments for everyone."
"Nightmare on Quail Creek: The Haunted Forest" is open Oct. 17–18 and Oct. 24–25 from 8–11 p.m. It is also open on Oct. 31 from 8 p.m.–midnight. It is located at Camp Alexander at 904 Quail Creek Court in Southlake. Tickets are $10.
