PEEK INSIDE THE COFFIN of 'Dracula: A Comedy of Terror'

Chase Harrison
5 days ago
5 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

IT’S HALLOWEEN! Oh um, I mean October, it’s October. With that, though, comes the unspoken rule that all things must be spooky until the 31st—maybe a little longer.

Spooky season theatre is a tradition that Big Dawg Productions has kept strong the past three years. What with the company having staged the Wilmington premiere of Stephen King’s “Misery” back in 2022; delving into existential dread with Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot” in 2023; then going full gross-out gore with an adaption of George Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead” just last year!

Though, as Monty Python would phrase it, “And now for something completely different.”

The company aims for side-splitting laughter over harrowing screams this year when they open “Dracula: A Comedy of Terror” at Thalian's Ruth and Bucky Stein Theatre this coming Thursday, October 16. The play loosely follows the original narrative of Bram Stoker's classic tale of terror “Dracula,” but with a humorous bite. Think: Mel Brooks style thrown into a blender with Anne Rice characters, and you might be close?

The raunchy, horror-based parody, was written by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen in 2023, premiering off-Broadway. You may have a base idea of the plot if you have seen 1922’s “Nosferatu," 1931’s “Dracula,” 1958’s “Horror of Dracula,” 1995’s “Bram Stoker’s Dracula”—or if read the novel first published in 1897. However, if you have been living under a cultural rock—here you go!

BLOOD CURDLING LAUGHS: A raunchy, horror-based parody of Dracula haunts the stage at Ruth and Bucky Stein Theatre. Photo by Willow and Wisp Creative — ***BLOOD CURDLING LAUGHS****: A* *raunchy, horror-based parody of Dracula haunts the stage at Ruth and Bucky Stein Theatre.* *Photo* *by Willow and Wisp Creative*

The story follows a very dedicated real estate agent, Jonathan Harker, traveling to Transylvania to secure the signature of a one Count Dracula to close the “big land deal” in London. Upon arriving, Harker quickly realizes the Count is a vampire with supernatural powers and wants and pines for… we’ll say, love?

As the cast and crew ramp up, or more apt to say vamp up, for their upcoming opening night. I was lucky enough to sit down with the production’s director, Ben Thomas-Reid, and a few cast members. In the lobby of Big Dawg’s offices, the hustle and bustle of life in the theater whizzed around us as we spoke.

Thomas-Reid admitted that during initial conversions about what production to pursue with the Big Dawg’s Artistic Director, Steve Vernon, a ghost story was first kicked around. Ultimately the decision was made that “People just want to laugh,” he remembers. “We have so much going on in the world, let’s just have fun and laugh.” That was when the director brought up the show “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors” as a friendly entry to the season.

“This is actually my third time directing some version of 'Dracula,'" Thomas-Reid continues. "First was in high school with 'Nosferatu,' the Tim Kelley version. Then I did an actual version that was very serious in the park. So, I’m happy to be back, and this show is absolutely hilarious, and…” he takes a moment to contemplate. “Can I say its super queer? It’s a super-queer show and I’m excited to be doing that. I feel that past shows or shows in rotation haven’t embraced that, so I’m happy to. Historically, Dracula as a character has always been very fluid, 'cause he’ll bite whoever and that’s usually a very sexual act.”

He goes on to explain that the show is not here for a message but for an enjoyable time of escapism.

“I get to play a BUNCH of guys!” Anna Gamel Hubar pipes in. “I get to wear comfortable shoes; I get to play multiple characters!” The excitement beams from the actress as she continues.

“As soon as they announced the auditions for this I just thought, Dracula, check. Comedy, check. Multiple roles, check. And most importantly, I don’t have to wear heels!” she proclaims in great victory.

The show implements a gender bending casting element, where Huber will play a majority of the males roles, while longtime Big Dawg steward Randy Davis plays the female. It was then that fellow cast member Davis begrudgingly affirms, “Yeah, I get to wear her heels.”

Thomas-Reid says he can find comedy, especially innuendo or raunchy comedy where others might not see it. The cast all nod their heads in agreement. His eyes widen at even their shock of Thomas-Reid’s mining of the script. “What?!? It’s actually all in the script!” he proclaims with a gleeful laugh, “you just gotta know how to look for them."

“The show is gonna have dick joke, after dick joke, after dick joke,” Hubar shares.

"You’re talking about the Shake Weight aren’t you?” Thomas-Reid ponders to his cast.

A sustained sense of fun emits from this cast and director, but they all agree that the rehearsal process had been a pure whirlwind. Keon Joel, who steps into the iconic role of Count Dracula mentions how the show is fast-paced and relies on the crackerjack timing of the assembly to be there for one another. The cast is made up of only five members, who not only play their multiple roles but serve as show stagehands as well.

At hearing this, I had to ask the cast how they were embracing chaotic nature of the show. As it does sound like there is a great number of quick character, costume, and set changes.

“Ohhhhhhhhhhh yeah, it’s an experience," Huber responds with a slight worrisome laughter. "There will be sweat. There may be misplaced mustaches. I’m going to have my running shoes on. It’s going to be 90 minutes at top speed.” Huber and Davis exchange a glace and she adds, “Randy and I have conversations with ourselves.”

Thomas-Reid applauds his cast for their adaptability, “This show is probably one with more than your average moving parts. There are so many costumes, so many props, and they are all doing it all.”

“Yeah we’re doing all the work here," Davis playfully agrees, "he [Thomas-Reid] is just finding dick jokes.”

It was at this moment the front door swung open and stepped in the company’s leader Steve Vernon. Who with a peaceful air greets me and adds the warm words to the interview, “Hey, Baby," before making his way into the rehearsal space.

Thomas-Reid goes on to assure that anyone with any aversion to horror to fear not, this is still the Halloween show for you. “All the scary stuff is sent up so funny. Moments that would normally get played up for as horror moments, where everyone gasps in fright, but instead we’re dying laughing...” the front door swings open again, “Hi, Harker…”

Casey Burton, playing Johnathan Harker along with a slew of others character, joins rehearsal. Like I said, a real whirlwind of people coming and going.

Hubar goes on to add that she is setting her goals for the show to an honest and achievable level. “I hope at least to make one audience member pee themselves from laughing, just one," she quips. "Maybe more, but just hoping for the one.”

We end with one final question that so many longtime horror and Dracula fans pontificate: Who plays your favorite version of Count Dracula? To which the director gave the best possible answer, “Keon Joel, duh!”

Big Dawg production invites you to a fun night of fanged fright for the Halloween season. Enter the historic Thalian Hall's Ruth & Buck Stein Theatre October 16-19 and 23-26 of you own free will—just leave all crosses, holy water, and garlic at home.