The advertising for the 90-minute bawdy retelling of Bram Stoker’s masterpiece, Drunk Dracula, promises “he’s hot, he’s thirsty.” And when you add the fact that one of the actors will be sipping whiskey while trying to perform their role, you have tried-and-true many treats in this new theatrical experience.
The company has done other drunken reimaginings (usually Shakespeare-inspired), but this Halloween season, it’s all about the sexy Count chasing after the love of his life.
The setup is simple: five actors recreate the story of the novel, with one of them surprised at the beginning of the performance with the news that they will be the one downing five shots of whiskey before tackling whatever role they’ve been assigned. Throughout the night, more shots—and even some beer—are added to they add the mix.
See Also: ‘Renfield’ Review: Dracula A.D. 2023
While that might sound irresponsible, everything is done in a controlled environment. The drinking actor is looked after during and after the show, and it’s all done in the spirit of fun.
The action takes place in the center of the Hotel Café’s Main Stage with audience members seated around the performers on all four sides. A throne sits along one stretch, where two lucky audience members get to enjoy snacks and champagne while having some say in how the night unfolds. For a price, of course. The coveted seats are auctioned off at the beginning of the evening to the highest bidder.
After a brief setup, the fun begins.
Five actors take on eight characters, including a narrator, naïve lawyer Jonathan Harker, his unsuspecting fiancée Mina Murray, Mina’s best friend Lucy Westenra, vampire hunter Van Helsing, Van Helsing’s pupil Dr. John Seward, Dracula’s delusional assistant Renfield, and, of course, the Count himself.
The show follows the story. Kind of. I mean, the whole thing is one big goof, especially with one of the actors clearly a few sheets to the wind.
At our performance, that honor went to the adorable Lucas Alifano as Jonathan Harker, who consumed his fair share of booze but, remarkably, still seemed to handle his duties with aplomb, even while occasionally sliding into some hilariously off-color non sequiturs.
Much of the night feels improvised, which is a huge part of the fun. And it’s not just the tipsy actor causing the chaos; the entire cast gets in on it. Whether they’re breaking the fourth wall, interacting with the audience, or seemingly making things up just to crack one another up, it’s a joyous, hysterical 90 minutes that had the audience in stitches.
The cast rotates, so you never quite know who you’ll get. Even better, the poor soul tasked with boozing it up changes with every performance, meaning you could conceivably see Drunk Dracula several times and have a completely different experience each night.
To be “that” writer and tell you it’s a bloody good time would be cheap.
But hell… it is!
Between a sexy, dancing Dracula (played in our show by Joey Herrera), an impish and increasingly sauced Jonathan Harker, a riffing narrator who keeps the night rolling along by not only breaking into a random song or donning his favorite Halloween costumes, and the hilariously over-sexualized Mina and her bestie Lucy, Drunk Dracula is 90 minutes of raucous fun.
So set a date. Prepare your liver. And wear your garlic, because this Dracula has a bite you won’t forget!
For more information and tickets, visit drunkdracula.com.
Drunk Dracula runs through November 1st at the Hotel Cafe in Hollywood.
