Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen’s new twist on the classic story of Dracula brings a vampy burst of life to the old (but immortal) tale. With a healthy dose of hilarious quick changes, gender bending, and exaggerated practical effects, it feels right at home in a small theater like the Garner Galleria. It’s sexy, clever, and endearing at the same time, carried by a stellar cast of 5 whose energy is uncanny for a production with multiple showings per day for 7 months. The show runs for 90 uninterrupted minutes on a small stage that makes use of every nook and cranny; coffins are built into the walls, a moveable backdrop opens like grandiose gates, and LED strips mirror bat wings that span the entire stage. There’s also an appetizer and drink service similar to other small theaters like the Clocktower Cabaret. Being seated closely with other patrons at shared tables makes the space feel more intimate, which is the perfect environment to watch a comedy that does a large amount of crowd work.  

The plot is surprisingly accurate to Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, from the arrival of Dracula (Marco Alberto Robinson) in London told through the ship captain’s log, to the turning of Mina (Zach Kononov), and finally the slaying of the vampire by Jonathan Harker (Sean Scrutchins) and Van Helsing (Zach Kononov). However, slight changes, like the inclusion of a female Van Helsing and a touching self-acceptance character arc for a deeply closeted and endearingly cowardly Jonathan, bring out a new side to these classic characters. In Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, Lucy (Adriane Leigh Robinson) and Mina are sisters, rather than just close friends, with Dr. Westfeldt (Leslie O’Carroll) as their father. Lucy plays the stereotypical straight man with a love of science and adventure, something her fiancé Jonathan just doesn’t seem to understand. Count Dracula genuinely bonds with Lucy over her interests (only after deciding she’d be a good bite to eat, of course), and despite his obvious flaws, comes off as a bit of a loveable loser who only wanted some company. The show doesn’t stray all that far from the plot of the novel, but the actors have been characterized in such a way that it feels like watching something brand new. 

Even on a weekend, the vast majority of the crowd is aged 30 and up, even though the show lands excellently with the younger generation. That $60 ticket price tag can scare off anyone on a budget…if they aren’t looking in the right places. The Garner Galleria, along with every other theater house at the DCPA, offers rush tickets, an under-advertised but beyond helpful resource for any student looking to engage with Denver’s art scene. All students; educators, military, first responders, and senior citizens can show up to the box office an hour before the show begins with their ID, and purchase two discounted passes per ID card for seats that haven’t been bought yet. The DCPA is within walking distance of Auraria campus, and the accessibility of their shows is a priority.