Haunted Theater Flies Into Chicago

Hell and a Handbag has hit pay dirt with The Golden Girls parodies recently and they are back with another production called The Golden Girls: Bea Afraid! - The Halloween Edition. Gay audiences especially have missed their elder TV stars and seem thirsty for more episodes.

This time it's a short run at Stage 773 playing now through Nov. 3 with the remaining tickets at HandbagProductions.org.

The first act is strong with the cast fitting into their roles with each show. The second act grows a little long in the tooth with Adrian Hadlock really going for the gross out as a possessed Sophia. Overall Bea brings the laughs with guests like Robert Williams who almost steals the show before it's over.

Like a ghost from the past, the classic musical Hello, Dolly! returns to the stage in Chicago now through Nov. 17 at the Oriental Theatre.

This revival has Broadway star Betty Buckley as the starring role of Dolly Gallagher Levi in the touring version. She had to follow in the footsteps of Bette Midler who packed New York as Dolly and had fans visiting from all over the world.

Buckley has her own take on it and does a wonderful job. The style is very over the top and the running time is long, so not for everyone, but audiences will chuckle at the funny antics that are suitable for all ages.

Visit BroadwayInChicago.com for a ticket to not miss the spectacular title song.

One more haunted offering in live theater is Rough House's The Walls of Harrow House. The brilliant idea of combining puppetry with exploring a spooky place will keep people intrigued.

Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright and placed inside the downstairs Chopin Theatre space makes for some frightfully good surroundings. While it should have been darker to disguise the artists working the stand up puppets and humor could be added to break up the mood, the overall concept is good. At the end, the troupe mentioned it was a lot to take on. With some more character development Rough House could really stand out from traditional theater.

Explore RoughHouseTheater.TicketLeap.com for showtimes currently scaring now through Nov. 10.

Don't wait for the spirit to move you as time is running out and tickets are going fast, boo!