Leave it to the Russians to add terror to children’s stories. After all, it is the land of the witch Baba Yaga and man-eating bears in an endless winter. Resilience in the face of destruction seems to fit the bill. And that’s exactly what the Austin Russian Theatre’s bringing to Penfold with their performance of two works from Nikolai Gogol’s Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka: “Drowned Maiden” and “Night Before Christmas.” Initially started as a way to preserve culture and language for children, ARTC now welcomes all to delight in their Slavic storytelling. So whether you’re a Russian speaker looking for a slice of familiarity, a fairy-tale aficionado, or merely a curious party, feel welcome at Scary Fairy Tales. – Cat McCarrey