‘Sweeney Todd’ set to haunt

Don’t bring the kids. In this macabre musical that swept up eight 1979 Tonys, the barber Benjamin Barker returns to London after a stint in jail on false charges. It doesn’t take long for his new persona, Sweeney Todd, and his inner demons to take over as he seeks awfully bloody revenge. Meanwhile, the helpful meat pie shop owner next door provides a novel - and surprisingly tasty - way to dispose of the evidence. And, since this is a musical, they all sing about it.

“The message or undercurrent of this show, is a question: What does it take to drive a person to the point of feeling they have to commit murder as an act of vengeance?’’ said show director Donnie Baillargeon of Waltham. “I think that everyone, ultimately, has within themselves the possibility that they could, under the right circumstances, be driven to the point of going absolutely crazy. . . . That’s what happens in Sweeney Todd.’’

“So, I like that this show asks ‘What can obsess you so much that your obsession can be your ultimate undoing?’ ’’ added Baillargeon. “There’s a magnificent obsession in every character in the show, and we explore that a lot in this production.’’

Music direction is by Don Boroson of Needham, choreography by Jennifer Condon of Arlington, and the cast features David DaCosta of Medfield as Todd, Beth Cushing of Wayland as Mrs. Lovett, and Chris DiOrio of Somerville as Judge Turpin.

“Sweeney Todd’’ runs tonight through Nov. 14, Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m.; also 2 p.m. Saturdays; Vokes Theatre, 97 Boston Post Road (Route 20), Wayland. Tickets: $18-$23. 508-358-4034. www.vokesplayers.org.

UNDEAD HEADS: What’s Halloween without a little dancing with the undead? For its third annual Halloween Party, the Paul Green School of Rock in Watertown will transform itself into a wannabe Alice Cooper set replete with a brand new guitar-playing band of undead known as Electric Mummy.

Decked out as Egyptian mummies, the local alt-rock band will play live (as live a mummies get, that is). They deliver railing, punk-edged tunes like “I Wanna Live Forever’’ in a story-based show that is part concert, part rock opera. The party marks their debut, but watch for them around town.

“We are a year-round band. The idea is that mummies aren’t just for Halloween anymore,’’ said the guitarist, Dead Man Rocking, affirming they will always perform in their fully wrapped glory. “We’re really trying to go over the top with this,’’ he said.

Members go strictly by their stage names: vocalists Dead Ringer and Dead Sexy, bassist Dead Serious, and drummer Dead Beat. But should their wraps come undone, you might recognize members of the Sift and Ramoniacs.

Snacks, games, contests, and prizes await the younger set at the fully staffed and supervised costume party, while upstairs adults can escape to the parent’s lounge.

Paul Green School of Rock Halloween Party 6-9 p.m. Friday, 120 Elm St., Watertown. Free. RSVP at amar@schoolofrock.com. Prizes for most creative costume and most rock ‘n roll costume. Information at 617-923-3434 or www.schoolofrock.com.

HAUNTED HAYRIDE: Drumlin Farm in Lincoln displays its silly side once again with their annual Tales of the Night event. Hop on the Haunted Hayride for a wagon-side view of Halloween skits performed in Drumlin’s vegetable fields by the flickering light of bonfires and jack-o-lanterns. Or click on a flashlight (bring your own) and wander the Forest Discovery Trail, where Little Miss Muffet, Little Bo Peep (and her lost sheep), and Little Red Riding Hood will be happy to chat. Spooky treats, witches’ brew, and creepy critter viewing (hissing cockroaches, giant millipedes) round out the spooky fun.

“Moms and dads tell us that this is a family favorite,’’ says Christy Foote-Smith, Drumlin’s sanctuary director. “They come back year after year because this event is just right for kids of all ages.’’

Tales of the Night 6:30-9 tonight and Friday at Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm, 208 South Great Road (Route 117), Lincoln. Admission: $9, free for children under age 2. Preregistration strongly recommended. Costumes encouraged. 781-259-2200. www.massaudubon.org/drumlinfarm.

IT’S GORE-GEOUS: Call it the grand buffet of gore. Just five tales of terror are told by the locally made indie film “Drive-In Horror Show,’’ but we strongly suspect they used enough fake blood to fill a swimming pool. This throwback horror anthology, presented “Tales of the Crypt’’ style, serves up enough cheesy Halloween horror to make Ed Wood proud (and perhaps squeamish). And, just in case cannibalism, evil children, slashers, ghouls, and bad frat boys destined to suffer some rather messy vengeance are not enough to satisfy your cravings for fiendish short films, they throw in a stomach-curdling tale about a flesh-eating virus too.

Made by filmmakers Michael Neel of Allston and Greg Ansin of South Boston, the film is traveling the horror film festival circuit. But this weekend, they offer two timely sneak peaks for the public at Studio Cinema in Belmont. Watch the trailer at www.driveinhorrorshow.com. Then again, you might want to keep your eyes closed.

“Drive-In Horror Show’’ midnight Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday at Studio Cinema, 376 Trapelo Road, Belmont. Both shows are benefits for Hearth, a Boston nonprofit working to prevent elder homelessness. Guests who wear costumes can vie for “ghoulish prizes.’’ Tickets: $20 suggested donation to Hearth. Information and tickets at info@driveinhorrorshow.com.

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