By Lori Perkins
A perfect way to celebrate the Halloween season is to catch the Off-Broadway production of Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, which just opened at the New World Theater on west 50th Street, and will run through January.
This production follows the familiar story as told by Bran Stoker with all sorts of modern asides and winks by playwrights Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen, which reminded me very much of Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein with a touch of Monty Pythonesque humor.
"In re-reading Dracula, we were surprised and intrigued by the boldness with which Stoker, a closeted gay man in Victorian England, plays with sexuality and gender norms," said Greenberg in a statement. "We wanted to celebrate him and, at the same time, send up his moody, broody melodrama in the spirit of some of our comedic heroes like Charles Ludlam, Monty Python, and Mel Brooks," added Rosen.
This Dracula is a blond hunk with abs that could kill (and he displays them quite regularly through-out the 90 minute no-intermission performance). The cast is small and unbelievably talented playing five main characters (a total of 15 in all), as well everyone else in the production with quick changes that will leave you in stitches. There’s even a female Dr. Van Helsing in this production. And the fairly simple set works wonders as well.
Honestly, this is the near-perfect night out for anyone who loves the season, but doesn’t like gore or being frightened\