Not gonna lie. The jump scares found in the region’s haunted houses have been both adrenaline and fuel for many Halloweens past. But this time around, I wanted to merge my love of puppetry with the proverbial act of clutching my imaginary pearls. So I went to Steppenwolf’s Merle Reskin space to partake of the fifth installation of Rough House Theatre’s Halloween show. Be you a fan, follower or newbie when it comes to “House of the Exquisite Corpse,” the horrific performances are as head-scratchingly eerie and off-kilter as ever this year, with blood the focus.

Before their timed entries, ticket-holders can enjoy libations at the bar or take a figurative blood oath with friends and add it to a wall of oaths on red ribbons that hang on a wall in the lobby area.

When it’s your turn to go

See Full Page