‘Dark of the Moon’
Oct. 8-17
John Paul Theatre,
Phoenix College
1201 W. Thomas Road
602-285-7300
    A powerful fantasy in a setting of the Smoky Mountains of Appalachia. A witch boy in a mountain community is in love with a beautiful girl named Barbara Allen. The superstitious townspeople resent their happiness, and meddling ends in violence and tragedy. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Oct. 8-10 and 15-17, with a special matinee at 1 p.m. on Oct. 16. Tickets are $10 general, $7 senior, and $5 student & alumni association members.

44th Annual Cowboy
Artists of America
Oct. 18-Nov. 16
Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N. Central Ave.
602-257-1880
http://www.phxart.org
http://www.caashow.org
    More than 130 new works, never before viewed by the public, will be exhibited by members of the Cowboy Artists of America. Included are bronze and stone sculptures, oil paintings, water solubles and drawings that capture the life of a cowboy. Admission for non-museum members is $10 for adults, $8 seniors/college students with ID, $4 for children 6-17. Voluntary donations 3-9 p.m. Wednesdays and 6-10 p.m. First Fridays.

The Fateful Loves
of Hamlet’
Center Dance Ensemble
Oct. 15-18
Herberger Theater, Stage West
222 E. Monroe
602-252-8497
http://www.herbergertheater.org
    A classic piece from the CDE repertoire, plus performances by CDE to Shakespeare’s sonnets, and performances by guest dance companies from around the Valley. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15-17 and 2 p.m. Oct. 18. Tickets are $9-$21.

‘You’re a Good Man,
Charlie Brown’
Oct. 16-Nov. 1
Valley Youth Theatre
525 N. 1st St.
602-253-8188, ext. 307
http://www.vyt.com
    Based on the Comic Strip “Peanuts” by Charles M. Shulz, this musical adaptation is seen as a day made up of little moments picked from the days of Charlie Brown, from Valentine’s Day to the baseball season, from wild optimism to utter despair, all mixed in the lives of his friends (both human and non-human) and strung together on the string of a single day, from bright uncertain morning to hopeful starlit evening. Tickets are $20 for all seats.

‘Boom’
Actors Theatre
Oct. 23-Nov. 8
Herberger Theater, Stage West
222 E. Monroe
602-252-8497
http://www.actorstheatrePHX.org
    In Peter Sinn Nachtrieb’s cleverly crafted comedy, Jo, a female journalism student, responds to Jules’ (a male marine biologist) ad promising “sex to change the course of the world.” When she shows up at Jules’ subterranean biology lab, she soon realizes that her dream of a “casual hook-up” has taken a strange turn. Tickets are $20-$45 .

‘Cinderella Confidential’
Phoenix Theatre Cookie Company
Oct. 23-25 & Oct. 31-Nov. 1
Phoenix Theatre
100 E. McDowell Road
602-254-2151
http://www.cookiecompany.org
    The prince has the shoe, and he’s ready to wed. But who is the girl behind the glass slipper? Two investigative reporters compete for the scoop of the century, interviewing everyone from a fairy godmother in desperate need of a day planner to mice in the witness protection program. Great for ages 6-14. Tickets are $15 plus handling fees.

A Wicked Night
at The Wrigley
8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31
Wrigley Mansion Club
2501 E. Telawa Trail
602-553-7382
http://www.wrigleymansion.com
    The annual Halloween Bash at The Wrigley Mansion with Mix 96.9 is back! This is the biggest and best party in town, with two live bands—Rock Lobster and The Chris Parker Project, plus 2 DJ’s. Dance the night away and party throughout the entire Wrigley Mansion. Tickets are $50 per person,

‘Swan Lake’
Ballet Arizona
Nov. 5-8
Phoenix Symphony Hall
602-381-1096
http://www.balletaz.org
    Accompanied by The Phoenix Symphony at Symphony Hall, and with choreography by Ib Andersen and Olga Evreinoff after Petipa, this production is classical ballet at its best. Ticket prices range from $15 to $119.