Best bets: Newberry Cornfield Maze, 'House of Usher,' 'Matilda' and 'Running Mates'

Best bets for the weekend — Oct. 28-30, 2022

NEWBERRY CORNFIELD MAZE: The Newberry Cornfield Maze, an annual fall family event in its 18th year, is finished up its Fall 2022 season from 5 to 11 p.m. today and 3-11 p.m. Saturday. According to organizers, the maze was founded in 2004 and began with only a corn maze and a hayride. The intent for the Newberry Cornfield Maze was to create a fall family experience for the local and surrounding counties to visit. The event, located at Hodge Farm, 20015 W. Newberry Road in Newberry, includes the maze, described by organizers as a nice stroll during the day where attendees try to choose the correct path to find their way out — but beware when darkness falls! There will be nocturnal life awaiting your entrance at every twist and turn. The hayride also comes alive with the undead after dark as attendees embark on an adventure through the haunted Sullivan trail. As you turn each corner in the haunted house, be ready to jump out of your skin because you never know what haunted encounter awaits you. For younger attendees — and those who just need a break from screaming — the kids’ play area is always friendly and never haunted. Stop by the barn to meet Pepper and Molly, see the sliding ducks, hop aboard Aunt Shirley’s cow-train and enjoy a round of putt-putt golf. Entrance is $20 for general admission, $10 for ages 3-9 and free for ages 2 and younger. Extra costs include $5 for a hayride, $5 to try your luck on the mechanical bull, and $5 to play with the human hamster balls. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit newberrycornfieldmaze.com.

“FLORIDA SKIES (AUTUMN)”: Join James Albury, host of “The Sky Above Us” and former co-host of the PBS TV Show “Star Gazers,” from 7 to 8 p.m. today as he takes attendees on a personally guided tour of the night sky using the GOTO Chronos Space Simulator. “Florida Skies” is the Kika Silva Pla Planetarium’s weekly star show that familiarizes attendees with some of the popular constellations visible from sunset to sunrise, as well as the stories behind them. The show also explains how and where in the sky you can find the brightest planets. Viewings are available from 7 to 8 p.m. every Friday through Nov. 18, and tickets are $7.19 for adults and $6.17 for ages 4-12, ages 60 and older, UF affiliates, military and first responders. Purchase tickets online at showpass.com/o/santa-fe-college-planetarium. The Kika Silva Pla Planetarium is located at 3000 NW 83rd St.

“THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER”: The High Springs Playhouse is bringing an short story by Edgar Allan Poe to life — just in time for the spooky season. Their adaptation of “The Fall of the House of Usher” is re-invented as a detective thriller and set in 1930s Boston. James Brookfield, an up-and-coming writer of potboilers from New York City, is invited to the Boston home of his childhood friend, Roderick Usher, to, as his host suggests, “chronicle the evolution” of the House of Usher. What begins for Brookfield as a pleasant distraction from the busy hubbub of New York’s literary circles turns into a maelstrom of horror when he slowly discovers Usher’s secret intent, and realizes that the life of Usher’s sister, Madeline, as well as Brookfield’s own life, are in terrible danger. Told as a series of lightning-paced flashbacks as tough-as-nails police detective Michael Shaughnessy questions Brookfield about what actually happened to cause the fire that destroyed the House of Usher, the play moves relentlessly to its terrifying, stunning conclusion. Catch at showing at 8 p.m. today and Saturday plus 2 p.m. Sunday at the High Springs Playhouse, 23416 NW 186th Ave. in High Springs. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for students 17 and younger and seniors ages 65 and older. For more information about this and other upcoming shows, or to purchase tickets online, visit highspringsplayhouse.com.

“MATILDA THE MUSICAL”: Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, the Tony Award-winning “Matilda The Musical” is the captivating masterpiece from the Royal Shakespeare Company that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life. With a book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin, “Matilda” follows a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers. She has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and longs for a better life. Catch a showing at 8 p.m. today and Saturday plus 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Star Center Theatre, 11 NE 23rd Ave. Tickets are $22 for adults, $20 for seniors and $15 for students. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit starcenter.ticketleap.com/matilda-the-musical.

“RUNNING MATES”: The Hipp’s newest production, the fast-paced political comedy “Running Mates,” brings new meaning to the phrase “family politics.” With the scandal of a leaked video, Sam, the longtime beloved mayor of Anderson, suddenly sees his seat in office threatened. Mischief ensues when the last person he ever expected — his wife, Sophia — decides to run against him. It’s down and dirty and laugh-out-loud funny as husband and wife duke it out. And what happens when an unexpected third candidate enters the race? Find out during a show at 8 p.m. today and Saturday plus 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place. Tickets are $20 to $50. For more information, visit thehipp.org.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Best bets: Newberry Cornfield Maze, 'House of Usher,' 'Matilda.' more