MASTERS OF DISGUISE ADULTS, KIDS SEEK JUST THE RIGHT LOOK.

Byline: Amy Raisin Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Halloween is still bringing out the witches, the fairies and the leisure-suit losers who try to charm the ladies with a sideways grin.

Now, however, the witches are ``glam'' or ``goth,'' the fairies are ``pixies'' and the leisure-suit clowns are known as ``pimp daddies.''

The more things change ...

Last-minute costume seekers of all ages scanned the racks Tuesday at A Chorus Line, counting on the costume shop to supply the get-up sure to impress - or repulse - fellow partygoers Thursday night.

Tim Sachs, 17, found everything he would need to channel the '60s rock legend Jimi Hendrix, from the Afro wig and dashiki shirt to an inflatable guitar.

``I've been listening to Jimi since I was a little kid; my parents liked that kind of music,'' said Sachs, a senior at Hart High. ``It's still fun, just being able to screw around with your friends and see how stupid you can look.''

While some go for stupid, others are after the sexy, sweet or downright scary.

Reena Newhall, manager of A Chorus Line, said she has noticed a wave of requests for cheerleaders, rock stars and superheroes, Spider-Man the most popular among them.

Store employees said the webbed superhero is so popular this year that they reordered the red and blue suit seven times. And that includes adult costumes, as well.

``We're across-the-board with our customers,'' Newhall said. ``We get 3-month-old babies to the more discriminating customers, the ones who want the best goth cape, the highest-quality items. We've been in business for 25 years, so we see the kids bringing their own kids.''

Twists on the witch costume, a Halloween staple, are so popular that A Chorus Line offers a ``make-a-witch'' section, where trick-or-treaters can select leotards, capes and hats for a varied look.

A black velvet body suit covered with a red glitter pattern was ordered as dance wear, but proved popular with ladies in the market for a sexy witch costume.

While the grown-ups can find a gorilla or Batman suit in their size, the kids still rule the ghoulish holiday.

Nine-year-old Eugene Catanzaro needed one more item to complete his costume because, really, what's a Grim Reaper without a sickle?

``I saw the Grim Reaper on a cartoon show. I thought it would make a good costume,'' the third-grader said.

His 13-year-old sister, Carole, shopping for a pixie costume, admitted she'll be trick-or-treating well into adulthood.

``I've always been a fairy-tale person. I love Halloween,'' she said. ``I probably will never grow out of it.''

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Eva Gibson, 6 months, tries on a Raggedy Ann look while her grandmother, Sharon Lightner, of Newhall, looks on approvingly at A Chorus Line in Saugus.

(2 -- color) Tim Sachs, 17, of Saugus, puts the finishing touches on his Jimi Hendrix costume at A Chorus Line.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer