Haunted Utah 

FREAK SHOWS
By Scott Renshaw

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Odyssey Dance: Thriller
While many other organizations try to play catch-up in providing Halloween-season fare, Odyssey Dance has been serving up its annual Thriller production for 18 years. Familiar pieces like the "River of Blood Dance," the Friday the 13th-inspired "Jason Jam" and, of course, the titular nod to Michael Jackson's iconic song will share the bill with new offerings, as multiple companies work to bring the show to eight venues in Utah and Idaho.
Kingsbury Hall, 1395 E. Presidents Circle, University of Utah, Oct. 10-Nov. 1, Monday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; 2 p.m. Saturday matinees, $25-$50. Full calendar of all cities at OdysseyDance.com/shows/thriller

Utah Symphony "Halloween Hijinks"
Conductor Vladimir Kulenovic leads the symphony in a program of music with a creepy flair, including the overture from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera, John Williams' scores from The Witches of Eastwick and Harry Potter, Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries" and Mussgorsky's "Night on Bald Mountain." Patrons are also invited to dress up for the 24th-annual costume contest, with a chance to win prizes.
Abravanel Hall, 123 W. South Temple, 801-355-2787, Oct. 28, 7 p.m., $6-$18. UtahSymphony.org

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Plan-B Theatre Company Radio Hour 9: Grimm
The company's annual season kick-off of producing a vintage radio show finds playwright Matthew Ivan Bennett adapting three classic Grimm fairy tales: Little Snow-White, Rapunzel and The Juniper Tree. Join the studio audience, or listen in during the KUER 90.1 FM simulcast.
Rose Wagner Center, 138 W. 300 South, 801-355-2787, Oct. 15, 7 p.m., $20. PlanBTheatre.org/Grimm.htm

Pioneer Theatre Company: The Rocky Horror Show
The story of the innocent young couple who encounter a "sweet transvestite" of a mad scientist—best known from the cult-classic movie—goes back to its theatrical roots in the company's special weekend presentation, complete with orchestral accompaniment. Come in costume as the spirit moves you; prop kits will be available for purchase at the show.
Pioneer Memorial Theatre, 300 S. 1400 East, 801-581-6961, Oct. 24, 8 p.m.; Oct. 25, 5 & 10 p.m., $20-$40. PioneerTheatre.org/2014-2015-season/rocky-horror-show/

SB Dance:
Cannibal: A Love Story
Choreographer Stephen Brown has presented wonderfully demented dance theater for grown-ups before, but this brand-new production finds a restaurant critic learning the hard way that there's a wide edible world out there. Actor Dan Larrinaga joins the music (an original score by Jeffrey Price) and movement in an evening of mature, munchy, gruesome fun.
Rose Wagner Center, 138 W. 300 South, 801-355-2787, Oct. 24-25, 8 p.m., $17.50.
SBDance.com/shows/halloween.php

An October Evening
Few Halloween events promise the broad range of artistic talents on display at the ninth-annual gathering of local independent artists. Stephen Simmons again plays de facto ringmaster for a night of music, film, dance, fashion, theater and pretty much anything else that can be touched by the spirit of the macabre.
Masonic Temple, 650 E. South Temple, Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m., $10. Facebook.com/AnOctoberEvening

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Deep Love
First performed in 2010, this original production of through-sung, operatic theater by Ryan Hayes & Garrett Sherwood tells the story of a widow whose husband tries to maintain their connection from beyond the grave. American Idol alum Jon Peter Lewis leads the cast in this year's one-night-only Salt Lake City performance.
Rose Wagner Center, 138 W. 300 South, 801-355-2787, Oct. 17, 8 p.m., $15. DeepLoveOpera.com, ArtTix.org

Tower Theatre's Tower of Terror Series
For those who want to get their scares from their favorite horror films, the Tower Theatre fills October weekends with special screenings of scream-worthy classics. This year's lineup features the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Night of the Living Dead, Fright Night and, of course, the traditional Halloween week screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Tower Theatre, 876 E. 900 South, 801-321-0310, Oct. 3-31, Fridays & Saturdays, 11 p.m.; Sundays, noon; Rocky Horror, 8 p.m. & midnight, $5-$10. SaltLakeFilmSociety.org

Edison Street Events: Phantom of the Opera
Experience the original, silent movie version of the classic story starring Lon Chaney, accompanied by the venue's wonderful live musical accompaniment on the mighty Wurlitzer organ.
Edison Street Events, 3331 S. Edison St., 801-485-9265, Oct. 22-24, 7:30 p.m., $6. EdisonStreetEvents.com/silent-movies/