Halloween treats and laughs, plus theater for the weekend in and near South Bend
Halloween season gets underway in earnest with several trick-or-treat-type family activities this weekend, or you can spend a night watching "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" with star Barry Bostwick to get into the spirit of the holiday. Plus, three area theaters offer a mix of comedy and drama. Joseph Dits also has outdoors suggestions, and The Tribune's online events calendar contains even more ideas for events in and near South Bend this weekend.
‘Four Old Broads’ continues at Footlight Players in Michigan City
MICHIGAN CITY — “Four Old Broads” continues Oct. 13 to 16 at Footlight Players, 1705 Franklin St.
Written by Leslie Kimbell, the comedy takes place at the Magnolia Place Retirement Center, where Beatrice desperately wants to go on the Sassy Seniors Cruise through the Caribbean with her bestie Eaddy.
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Unfortunately, things have not been pleasant since nurse Pat began working there. The newest resident, Imogene, suddenly has memory loss; Maude, when not binge-watching “Search For Love,” her favorite soap opera, is obsessed with planning her own funeral; Sam, a retired Elvis impersonator, is the resident Casanova.
A mystery unfolds with lots of laughs as the gals try to find out why so many of the residents have gone to “The Dark Side” and what really happened to Dr. Head.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. CDT Oct. 13, 14 and 15 and 2 p.m. CDT Oct. 16.
Tickets are $17-$12, except Oct. 13, when all tickets are $12.
For more information, call 219-874-4035 or visit footlightplayers.org.
Premier Arts opens ‘Little House on the Prairie’ at The Lerner
ELKHART — Premier Arts presents “Little House on the Prairie: The Musical” from Oct. 14 to 16 The Lerner Theatre, 410 S. Main St.
The musical follows the Ingalls family’s journey westward and settlement in De Smet, S.D., where Ma and Pa Ingalls hoped to make a better life for their children. In story, song and dance, the Ingalls suffer the hardships of winter blizzards and prairie ?res as well as rejoice in the settlement of land.
Most of all, the story follows Laura as she grows from a child who loved to run free into a woman who embraces the responsibilities of her own future while remaining true to herself.
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Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 and 15 and at 3 p.m. Oct. 16.
Tickets are $25-$12.
For more information, call 574-293-4469 or visit premierarts.org.
‘Smokefall’ opens for two weekends at Tin Shop Theatre in Buchanan
BUCHANAN — “Smokefall” opens Oct. 14 and continues through Oct. 23 at Tin Shop Theatre, 108 Roe St.
Written by Noah Haidle, “Smokefall” explores the lives of a family in a lyrical treatise on the fragility of life and the power of love.
Magical realism collides with manic vaudeville as fetuses swap philosophy while awaiting their birth, a daughter eats dirt and does not speak, a father is about to drive away and never return, and there is an apple tree growing through the walls of the house.
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The ensemble includes Derek Bacon, Kelly Carlin, Josh Dolezal, Casey Dyczko, David Ferrell, Peggy Harrington, William Klein and Jeff Starkey.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 4 p.m. Sundays.
Tickets are $12-$10.
For more information, call 269-695-6464 or visit tinshoptheatre.org.
Four events in and near South Bend offer Halloween fun
The Halloween season is already underway, and Saturday, Oct. 15, brings four events:
? Treats on the Trail is back for a free trick-or-treat event at Pinhook Park from noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 15. Come in your best costume. Food available for purchase from Smothered and Covered Fries and More. Ridgedale Christian Ministries will be selling kettle corn for $6-$4. Enjoy live music on the Boomer Stage. Pinhook Park is located at 2801 Riverside Drive, South Bend. Additional parking is available at Brown Community Learning Center at 737 Beale St. A shuttle will be available to transport attendees to the park.
? The annual Silverbrook Cemetery tour will be held at 10 a.m. Oct. 15. Learn about several families and individuals who played an important role in the history of Niles, including the Chapins, Finleys and Tylers. The tour meets at the corner of Main and Cherry Streets in Niles. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.
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? Trunk-or-Treat on Island Park at the corner of North Main and East Sycamore streets in Elkhart from noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 15. The event will include local businesses and organizations that will line the island with decorated booths and give out treats. Enter on Sycamore Street.
? Trunk-or-Treat at New Carlisle United Methodist Church, 300 E. Compton, New Carlisle, from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 15.
Do the ‘Time Warp’ with Barry Bostwick at ‘Rocky Horror’ screening at the Mendel Center
BENTON HARBOR — Lake Michigan College’s Mendel Center presents “The Rocky Horror Picture Show 47th Anniversary Spectacular Tour” at 7 p.m. Oct. 16 at 2755 E. Napier Ave.
The event features Barry Bostwick, who played Brad Majors in the 1975 film, and a screening of the original, unedited version of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
The screening also includes the live shadow cast Rocky Horror in Abundance, audience participation, a costume contest, and a display of movie memorabilia including a costume from the movie.
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During a pre-screening, on-stage discussion, Bostwick will share stories about his experiences with the film.
He’ll also conduct a “VIP Meet & Greet” event where attendees can have their photo taken with Bostwick and get an autograph on their own personal item or select a photo from Bostwick’s collection to have it signed. Sold separately.
Prop bags will be available for purchase in the lobby the night of the show for $5 (cash only). No outside props will be permitted.
The film has been a staple of midnight movies across the country for the past five decades and remains a multigenerational cultural phenomenon. Audience members often dress in character, act out scenes along with the on-screen action and yell back at the screen during key moments of the story.
Tickets are $65-$35; VIP Meet & Greet tickets are $100.
For more information, call 269-927-8700 or visit themendelcenter.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Barry Bostwick screens Rocky Horror, Halloween gets underway
