Feature: THE GHASTLY DREADFULS at Center For Puppetry Arts

With $8.4 billion spent last year on Halloween costumes in 2016 and decorations and another 179 million celebrating the holiday, it is clear that this holiday gets a lot of attention. That is why in 2006, Jon Ludwig and Jason Hines realized that they wanted to take advantage of a missing market for adults celebrating the most terrifyingly delightful day of the year. THE GHASTLY DREADFULS were created to fill this void at the Center for Puppetry Arts.

As a variety show featuring classics, original works and adaptations, the yearly tradition is becoming a staple of Atlanta Halloween treats (or tricks, depending on how you look at it). The spectacle features the Dreadfuls, a gang of ghouls and ghosts still on Earth fulfilling their "community service" for the pleasure of your Halloween experience. The characters, feature favorites like Lady Dreadful and Shockingly Dreadful, have evolved over the last decade, making room for new characters and all your favorites.

THE GHASTLY DREADFULS features puppetry in the style of Czech black, marionettes, rod puppets, string puppets, toy theatre, a graphic novel coming to life and shadow box theatre. This is in addition to the real-life Dreadfuls providing transitions and horrific stories throughout the show.

If you haven't seen the show, you're in for a treat. If you're a lifetime fan of the Dreadfuls, the Center for Puppetry Arts is hosting a Ghastly Gathering on Saturday, October 7. The event will include a costume contest, spooky self-guided Museum tours and Dreadful-lead activities and performances. Tickets purchased ahead of time will receive a free drink with ticket ($25 for members, $30 for non-members).

THE GHASTLY DREADFULS runs at the Center for Puppetry Arts from October 11 through October 28. Tickets are now available online.