By Liz Eichler
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors is a silly, silly show. But it is just what everyone needs right now — joyfully over the top, sharply performed, and brimming with clever wordplay– especially since we are in the spooky season. A team of five hyper-professional performers deliver a masterclass in timing, physical comedy, diction, and stage presence.
Yes, it’s silly. Gloriously so. Directed by Brian Isaac Phillips, this farcical take on Bram Stoker’s classic will make you laugh until it hurts.
Background
Written by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen, this version of Dracula first premiered as a radio play in May 2020 and made its Off-Broadway debut at New World Stages on September 4, 2023.
If you loved CSC’s Every Christmas Story Ever Told — or anything by Mel Brooks — this comedy is in the same vein (pun absolutely intended). On opening night, the group sitting in front of me shared that they were more at home at a football game than a “high-brow” theatre. They howled with delight and astonishment throughout the performance. (They were equally astounded by the playfulness of Brian Isaac Phillips’s call-and-response curtain speech #IYKYK) CSC always does a great job balancing the classical canon with highly accessible shows.
The Dracula is loosely based on the Bram Stoker novel. Very loosely. The book is literally tossed out the window as the characters riff on the theme. Candice Handy, as Jonathan Harker, is actually a realtor—out to close a deal in Dracula’s castle. Harker’s voyage to Transylvania is fateful; by the time they return to England, all the ship’s crew are mysteriously dead, but the deals are closed! Dracula, the lone surviving passenger, soon meets Lucy, her sister Mina, and Dr. Westfeldt. When Mina falls ill with a “mysterious disease of the blood,” Lucy Westfeldt and her fiancé, Jonathan Harker, enlist the help of famed female vampire hunter Dr. Jean Van Helsing. What follows is a whirlwind of clever wordplay, quick-change antics, and deliciously overdone performances.
Performances
Kelly Mengelkoch can do anything, but her Mina may be her most delightful creation yet. With a purse of the lips and a flippant curl of ginger hair, Mina steals the show. Her Van Helsing is also a sight to behold.
Billy Chace delivers some of the tightest, most impressive character switches of the night as both the bug eating Renfield and Dr. Westfeldt. His precision and energy are unmatched. He’s a true master in motion.
Candice Handy brings nerdy charm to Jonathan Harker, a man determined to free himself from his neurodivergent obsessions. Casting the diminutive Handy adds an extra layer of physical comedy to the role, and she milks every moment for laughs.
As sexy Count Dracula, Christopher Guthrie sinks his teeth into the title role with passion, humor, and a surprising number of hip gyrations. Imagine Elvis, Liberace, and your most over-the-top drag queen rolled into one deliciously undead but leather-bound…package.
Jasimine Boulden is a capable and compelling Lucy Westfeldt, the feminist botanist. Though the script gives her the quietest arc of the ensemble, Boulden brings grounded wit and warmth to every moment she’s on stage.
Set and Lighting
The set feels like a mashup of Scooby-Doo’s Haunted Mansion (or Boo Blasters, RIP) and Tim Burton’s twisted imagination. The jagged angles and exaggerated accents scream whimsy before the show even begins. Overhead, huge chandeliers shaped like sharp fangs drip with blood, while the jewel tones of electric lighting heighten every gag and gasp.
Costumes
Perfection. Well-fitted, character-driven, and designed for rapid quick changes — hats off to the wardrobe crew for keeping the chaos looking effortless.
Overall
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors is a high-energy romp that proves clever comedy and sharp timing never go out of style. From Brian Isaac Phillips’s playful direction to the imaginative design and fearless performances, every element works together to create a hilarious night at the theatre. It’s silly and satisfyingly spooky, all at once. Yet, there are still opportunities to tighten a few scenes changes and take the pacing to eleven, as the run continues.
Sink your teeth into this one while you can. It’d be a real pain in the neck to miss.
Get Tickets to Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors
CSC’s Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors plays October 3 through November 1, 2025. Purchase tickets and get more information HERE. The bar is stocked with a specialty drink, beer and a really nice sangiovese, as well as non alcoholic options.
Content Advisory: Contains adult humor and situations; PG-13 recommended. Includes flashing lights and loud noises.
