Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors at the Center for Performing Arts

Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors the comedic play by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen is like most adaptations of the classic horror novel by Bram Stoker, very loosely based on the source material. You have some of the basic plot in tact, and many of the characters names, even if they are tweaked ala Jean Van Helsing or they are given to different characters like the swap of Lucy and Mina as the fiance of Jonathan Harker. This adaptation is played for laughs and isn’t meant to be a serious and straight representation of the Dracula story. Stoker’s novel has a sexual undercurrent to it that was quite bold considering it’s Victorian era publication, that is the element that this production has its most fun with. It doesn’t shy away from the sensual aspects of the vampire myth in fact it puts it front and center and isn’t afraid to be very modern in it’s portrayals of sexual fluidity.

This is a show like The 39 Steps or the [Un]Qualified Theater’s 2023 MN Fringe production H.G. Wells’ The Invisible Man where there is a small ensemble with one actor playing the lead, here Dustin Bronson as Dracula, and the rest of the cast playing a multitude of characters. There is no pretense that this is not a stage show, in fact much of the humor comes from jokes that acknowledge this is a play being put on for our amusement. From sexy Dracula spraying is own aerosol can of fog simply to make his appearance more sensual to an actor portraying multiple characters in the same scene simply by turning around and putting a different wig on or changing hats. These are not moves meant to fool us but to elicit laughter, which it does. I love a show like this that winks at the audience and uses theater conventions to not only tell its story but also as the source of amusement. Director Joy Donley clearly understand this style of humor and masterfully stages all manner of silliness.

Bronson’s Dracula is sexy as hell but also really funny. Having most recently seen him in the Guthrie Theater’s History plays, this was a nice reminder of his considerable comedic chops which first impressed me in Jungle Theater’s Georgiana & Kitty. He further showcased his comic skills in a few impromptu moments with the audience, knowing just how to add a little something when the situation worked. The other four actors Bradley Johnson, Katie Consamus, Bethany McCade, and Corey Mills get to wow the audience with their versatility and ability to create countless distinct and highly amusing characters. Mills in particular looks to be having a blast playing two extreme’s the especially goofy Mina and the heroic and intelligent Dr. Jean Van Helsing. There is some great design elements from set pieces, props, costumes, as well as the lighting and sound design. Everything is kept simple but effective in terms of size and mobility, which it needs to be because this show moves at a very quick pace. Stage Manager Melisa Kucevic deserve praise for keeping this freight train on the rails at such high speeds.

Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors runs through November 2nd at the Center for Performing Arts in South Minneapolis. It’s a great show for everyone who enjoys the pleasures of Monster Month and great laughs. For more information and to purchase tickets go to https://www.nocturnalgiraffetheatre.org/currentshow

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