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While Theatre Calgary, Vertigo and Alberta Theatre Projects are in full swing with new seasons, there are numerous smaller companies just as busy this fall. Theatre this season ranges from quality plays for children at StoryBook Theatre to the outrageous antics of Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Grand. Here’s a sampling of what’s out there.

It’s almost spooky season, so Chromatic Theatre and Handsome Alice Theatre have teamed up for a haunting reimagining of an ancient folktale with the world premiere of Little Elves.

Written by Kodie Rollan, Chromatic’s artistic director, Little Elves transforms the medieval legend of St. Nicholas and the Evil Butcher into an original contemporary musical that blends folk horror, dark humour, live music and puppetry.

“I’d like to think this show is a great blend of horror and heart — perfect for the Halloween season,” said Rollan. “We’ve got lots of visual and musical candy in the show that I think audiences are really going to love.”

Part ghost story, part fairy tale, and part gripping thriller, Little Elves invites audiences into a world of lies, desperation, and impossible choices. Beneath its eerie atmosphere lies a powerful exploration of justice, vengeance, survival, systemic racism, and the stories societies tell to justify violence.

Runs Oct. 28 to Nov. 7, 2026, at the Victor Mitchell Theatre at Pumphouse Theatre. 

Running for only another week, make your way to Lunchbox to see Ribstone, which is back by popular demand. Well-known local actor Christopher Hunt weaves tales of his family’s ranching roots using old-time folksiness, old-time music, and old-time humour.

Until Oct. 17 at cSPACE Marda Loop, 1721 29th Ave., S.W.

Icemen by Vern Thiessen gets its Alberta debut Nov. 13-27 at this edgy, new theatre.

The storyline is that somewhere between the powerful and the powerless, desperation takes root. The tale is set during the Great Depression, and it looks at survival, status, wealth and the price of fighting back.

The Theatre is at 101, 215 14th Ave. S.W.

Improvised comedy shows run every Saturday at 8 p.m. On Oct. 10 and 17th, it’s the Secret Impro Show, followed by The All Hallow’s Eve Show on Oct. 23-24, Oct. 30-31.

At Loose Moose Theatre Company, 1235 26th Ave. S.E.

Ghost River promotes boundary-pushing and immersive theatre experiences.

Its next show, Soft Squishy Things, is described as “part object-theatre magic, part cosmic daydream … a playful, tender ride through loneliness, identity, and the beautifully weird ways we create connection when there’s nothing left to hold onto.”

The show, co-created by Robin Leveroos and Eric Rose, has its world premiere in Berlin in November before coming back to Calgary for its Canadian premiere in January and February 2027.

2007 10th Ave. S.W.