WHAT'S PLAYING THIS WEEKEND? (OCTOBER 23-25)

WHAT’S PLAYING THIS WEEK/END?

OCTOBER 23-25, 2026

OPENING THIS WEEK/END

EFF LIVE! (Special Event. Wednesday, October 21)

Nerd culture has given us some amazing characters over the years, and television, movies, comics, and books have given us nuanced, deep, and emotionally stirring storylines. This is not that.  EFF LIVE! features local artists reading the best of the worst of online erotic fanfiction for your amusement and horror. It's gonna get weird. Join us?  At Open Stage (openstagehbg.com)

SLEEPY HOLLOW (Opens October 24)

Ichabod Crane, a school teacher, falls in love with Katrinia Van Tassel. After failing to win her heart during a party, Ichabod rides home through the woods. He can't help but fixate on the Headless Horseman - a local legend of a Hessian solider who lost his head during the Revolutionary War. A shadowy figure on a horse chases Icahod through the night. But the next morning - Ichabod is nowhere to be found, leaving local guessing at the poor schoolteacher’s fate. This 45-minute adaptation of Washington Irving’s story was written and performed by Open Stage's Resident Artists. At Open Stage (openstagehbg.com)

STEPHEN SCHWARTZ: A Benefit Concert for Prima Theatre  (Special event. One night only. October 24)

Broadway legend Stephen Schwartz — the Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award–winning composer of Wicked, Pippin, Godspell, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and many others — comes to Lancaster County for a once-in-a-lifetime benefit event.

At the piano, Schwartz will perform his most beloved works and share stories from a career that has shaped Broadway and Disney alike. He will be joined by powerhouse Prima performers, filling the space with music, heart, and meaning. From Prima Theatre. Performance at Rock Lititz. (primatheatre.org)

HALLOQWEEN DRAG BRUNCH AND COSTUME CONTEST (Special event. One performance only. October 25)

Four fabulous drag performers take over the stage for a spooktacular afternoon filled with rib-tickling comedy, gobs of glamour, and immersive entertainment full of crowd participation.  Hosted by Astala Vista (HGTV, Peacock, Judge Jerry, & Netflix) with performances by Drag Queen Entertainment’s fiercest Drag Divas! From Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre. (dutchapple.com)

COURT STREET CABARET (Special event. October 25)

Bring your spoooooky sheet music and sing your favorite spoooooky songs on stage with a spoooooky live (?) accompanist! This time we want YOU to take the stage in the Court Street Cabaret. Sign up at the door and enjoy an entertaining evening of music and spoooooky drinks! At Open Stage. (openstagehbg.com)

C O N T I N U I N G

THE HALLOWEEN SHOW (Through October 31)

Join Count Fred, “Count Dracula’s Not-So-Famous Cousin,” as he tries to scare you into a terrifying Halloween.  Unfortunately, Count Fred is not all that scary and his stories seem to delight more than frighten.  In The Halloween Show, performed by Gamut Theatre’s Popcorn Hat Players, children help tell the story of “How Little Ghost Lost His BOO!”, and also lend a hand in solving the mystery of “The Case of the Missing Trick-Or-Treat Candy.” At Gamut Theatre. (gamuttheatre.org)

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD LIVE! (Through October 31)

Night of the Living Dead Live is a fun and hilarious re-imagining of George A. Romero’s legendary classic. Set in 1968 and presented in all black and white, it literally feels like the film has been brought to life and placed onstage. The play lovingly examines the movie itself, the period in which it was made, and the film’s undying influence on the horror genre.

More than just a recreation of the story, the play celebrates the history and influence of the movie. Through a series of multiple endings, the characters are all faced with different issues and challenges while desperately trying to survive the night. However, their contrasting personalities and agendas always seem to prevent the group from working together. Which leaves us all wondering: Could anyone survive a night of the living dead? From Open Stage (openstagehbg.com)

BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL (Through November 4)

This inspiring true story about Carole King spans from her early days as a Brooklyn teenager struggling to enter the record business to her years spent as a chart-topping music legend and one of the most successful singer-songwriters in music history.

With unforgettable hits like It’s Too Late, You’ve Got a Friend, So Far Away, and (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, Beautiful is a moving, music-filled portrait of resilience, self-discovery, and the healing power of song. From Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre. (dutchapple.com)

I N  T H E  W I N G S / S P E C I A L   E V E N T S

WAR OF THE WORLDS:THE RADIO PLAY (Special event. One weekend only. Opens October 30)

Theatre Harrisburg presents Dave Olmsted’s thrilling new radio play adaptation of WAR OF THE WORLDS.  Based on Orson Welles’ iconic 1938 Mercury Theatre broadcast that panicked a nation, this vintage audio-visual experience brings Martian invaders, frantic news bulletins, and pulse-pounding sound effects live to the stage. Don’t miss this gripping, limited-run radio drama! At Theatre Harrisburg’s Krevsky Production Center, 513 Hurlock Street, Harrisburg.  (theatreharrisburg.com)

THE TMI HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR  (Special event. One night only. October 30)

At the 2nd Annual TMI Halloween Spooktacular, you’ll see classic Halloween characters in every-day scenarios, gawk at the absurdity of children in costumes skipping around haunted houses, and laugh at the antics of science experiments gone wrong. The show will include a COSTUME CONTEST where audience members can compete for free tickets to TMI’s New Year’s Eve event! At Gamut Theatre. (gamuttheatre.org)

IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY (Opens November 6)

Neurologist Dr. Mortimore prepares to give a career-defining Ponsonby Lecture that could earn him a knighthood – if only he didn’t have to contend with an unexpected ex-mistress, a teenage love child, and rising pandemonium at his hospital. From the master of British farce, Ray Cooney. At Oyster Mill Playhouse (oystermillplayhouse.com)

Visit these theatres’ websites for ticket information or go to paonstage.com for details. 

If you are part of a theatre staff or board, and have questions about how to include your organization on PA On Stage, contact us at richwine@paonstage.com.