BLUMENTHAL ARTS
BY GORDON GREENBERG AND STEVE ROSEN
James Romney and Christopher James Stevens in a scene from Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors at the Blumenthal Arts Center in Charlotte, NC. Photo by Alexander South NC for Blumenthal Arts.
FINDING THE FUNNY IN DRACULA
STORY BY Keith Loria
For Gordon Greenberg, the key to comedy isn’t telling jokes. It’s taking the material completely seriously. That’s a philosophy that has guided much of the Broadway director, writer and producer’s career, and it’s the driving force behind Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, the fast-paced, five-actor spoof of Bram Stoker’s classic novel.
While audiences can expect plenty of laughs, Greenberg insists the comedy only works because the story underneath remains genuine.
“The more seriously you take something, the funnier it is,” Greenberg said of adapting the Gothic horror classic into a whirlwind comedy.
The show has played numerous engagements and now that it’s at the Blumenthal, it’s something of a homecoming for the writer/director of the project. Greenberg previously spent time in the city teaching through the Broadway Dreams educational program and has known Blumenthal President Tom Gabbard for years. In fact, Gabbard was one of the producers of the New York production of Dracula, making the show’s arrival in Charlotte especially meaningful.
“We have been scheming and hatching this plan for years now to bring it to
Company of Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors (L-R) James Romney, Adriane Leigh Robinson, Christopher James Stevens, Paul Vogt, Kelly Bashar. Photo By Alexander South NC for Blumenthal Arts.
6 | encorecharlotte
Charlotte audiences, and I’m so thrilled that it’s finally happening,” Greenberg said.
The production is the latest collaboration between Greenberg and writing partner Steve Rosen, whom Greenberg first met after directing him in a touring production of Guys and Dolls. Their partnership began almost by accident when Greenberg was asked to create a holiday production for Pennsylvania’s Bucks County Playhouse.
Rather than stage another traditional Christmas show, the pair wrote an original comedy, Ebenezer Scrooge’s BIG Playhouse Christmas Show. The production proved so successful that it eventually caught the attention of Andrew Kato, artistic director of Florida’s Maltz Jupiter Theatre.
Kato posed a simple question: Could they do the same thing with Dracula?
EVOLUTION OF A HIT
The answer turned into a years-long creative journey.
After its first production in Florida, the show continued to evolve through workshops and productions at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Capital Repertory Theatre and Montreal’s Segal Centre before finally reaching Off-Broadway. Along the way, Greenberg and Rosen discovered that while rapid-fire comedy was important, the play also needed an emotional foundation.
“What we found is the funny works, but after a while it becomes a little tiresome if there’s not some idea underneath it to take you through 90 minutes,” Greenberg said. “So that was about writing the actual story.”
That approach reflects Greenberg’s larger career.
Whether directing acclaimed productions like Guys and Dolls in London’s West End, writing the Broadway adaptation of Holiday Inn, staging Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? or collaborating on new works, Greenberg has developed a reputation for breathing fresh life into familiar stories without losing what made them classics in the first place.
His fascination with Dracula wasn’t rooted in lifelong fandom. In fact, he admitted his main exposure growing up was seeing the Frank Langella stage production as a child. What intrigued him wasn’t vampire mythology but the opportunity to look beneath Bram Stoker’s famous monster.
As Greenberg and Rosen dug deeper into Stoker’s life and the novel itself, they began to see Dracula less as a one-dimensional villain and more as someone searching for meaning. That’s why in their version, Dracula isn’t simply chasing victims, he’s chasing fulfillment.
Greenberg describes him almost as a modern celebrity whose endless pursuit of excitement has left him emotionally empty.
“He keeps drinking more, smoking more, sleeping with more people, buying more expensive things, partying harder and it means less and less each time,” Greenberg said. “He’s having an existential crisis.”
By the end of the play, Dracula discovers that the life he envies isn’t glamorous at all. Instead, fulfillment comes from ordinary human connection—a surprisingly heartfelt message tucked inside an outrageous comedy.
That emotional core, Greenberg believes, explains why the show has
connected with audiences around the world.
Although packed with slapstick, quick costume changes and physical comedy, every character faces a recognizable dilemma, whether it’s fear of commitment, longing for adventure or searching for purpose.
MIND BLOWN
“In the end, it’s silly, but it’s not a game,” he said.
The show’s success has exceeded even Greenberg’s expectations. While he assumed his Broadway musical The Heart of Rock and Roll would become his biggest hit, Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors has developed an international life of its own, with productions spanning Europe, South America and Asia.
For Greenberg, his passion for theatre all traces back to a moment from childhood. When he was 7 years old, his parents took him to see Grease on Broadway. He was captivated.
“Literally, my mind was blown,” he said. At first, he thought his future simply meant performing in Grease forever. Once he discovered there were countless other shows waiting to be created, he knew he had found his calling.
Decades later, Greenberg is still introducing audiences to familiar stories in unexpected ways. Only now, he’s inviting theatergoers to discover that even the Prince of Darkness has a funny side.
Adriane Leigh Robinson and Christopher James Stevens in the Charlotte cast of Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors
Photo By Alexander South NC for Blumenthal Arts.
JAMES ROMNEY
BY GORDON GREENBERG AND STEVE ROSEN
BLUMENTHAL ARTS presents with
KELLY BASHAR SUSANA CORDÓN ADRIANE LEIGH ROBINSON
CHRISTOPHER JAMES STEVENS PAUL VOGT and
MATTHEW DONAHUE ANDREA KING KIANA KING
JEREMY SHANE / JELLY CLARCKSON LOHMAR WOLF
Co-Author
Gordon Greenberg
Scenic and Puppetry Design
Tijana Bjelajac
Lighting Design
Rob Denton
Co-Author
Steve Rosen
Costume Design
Tristan Raines
Original Music and Sound Design
Victoria Deiorio
Associate Director Casting
Nick Perez-Hoop
Opening Stage Manager
Anjee Nero
Geoff Josselson Casting
Geoff Josselson, CSA
Felicia Rudolph, CSA
Stage Manager
Molly Elizabeth McCarter
Directed by Gordon Greenberg
Originally produced in New York by Drew Desky and Dane Levens, Drew & Dane Productions. DRACULA: A COMEDY OF TERRORS was commissioned and originally produced by Maltz Jupiter Theatre Andrew Kato, Producing Artistic Director/Chief Executive.
WHO’S WHO in the CAST
UNDERSTUDIES
ADRIANE LEIGH ROBINSON*
KELLY BASHAR*
PAUL VOGT*
JAMES ROMNEY*
CHRISTOPHER JAMES STEVENS*
SUSANA CORDÓN*
ANDREA KING
KIANA KING
LOHMAR WOLF
JEREMY SHANE / JELLY CLARCKSON
MATTHEW DONAHUE
Ott Vineyards & Winery
CAST
(in alphabetical order)
Dr. Westfeldt, Renfield, and others ................................................ KELLY BASHAR
Lucy and others, beginning July 21
Lucy and others, July 7-19
ADRIANE LEIGH ROBINSON
Harker and others JAMES ROMNEY
Dracula CHRISTOPHER JAMES STEVENS
Mina, Van Helsing, and others PAUL VOGT
UNDERSTUDIES
Understudies never substitute for listed players unless a specific announcement is made at the time of the appearance.
DR. WESTFELDT, RENFIELD, AND OTHERS: Andrea King
LUCY AND OTHERS: Kiana King
HARKER AND OTHERS: Matthew Donahue
DRACULA: Lohmar Wolf
MINA, VAN HELSING, AND OTHERS: Jeremy Shane / Jelly Clarckson
DRACULA: A COMEDY OF TERRORS will be performed without an intermission.
The use of any recording device, either audio or video, and the taking of photographs, either with or without flash, is strictly prohibited. Please turn off all electronic devices such as cellular phones, beepers and watches.
SUSANA CORDÓN
WHO’S WHO in the CAST
KELLY BASHAR (Dr. Westfeldt, Renfield, and others). Kelly Bashar makes her Blumenthal Arts debut and is thrilled to return in Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors after appearing in the production at ATC and the Straz Center. Her recent stage work also includes the world premiere of The Boy Who Loved Batman, also at the Straz Center. Additional theatre credits include Two’s A Crowd OffBroadway with Rita Rudner, and regional performances at Laguna Playhouse, the Garry Marshall Theatre, The Wallis Annenberg, Pasadena Playhouse, and The Ford Amphitheatre, as well as Mrs. Cratchit in A Christmas Carol at Orlando Shakes, and Millie in Exit Laughing at The Studio Theatre Tierra Del Sol. On screen, Kelly is best known as Pearl Nygaard in the Golden Globe and Emmy-winning FX miniseries Fargo, with additional credits including Scorpion, Speechless, Marlon, Parks and Recreation, and the film Thanks. She is the co-writer and original “Pippin” in the multiple award-winning Fellowship! The Musical Parody of “The Fellowship of the Ring.” AEA. IG: @kellybashar
SUSANA CORDÓN (Lucy and others beginning July 21). Blumenthal Arts debut. Regional: Minnie Fay in Hello, Dolly! (Ogunquit Playhouse), Lucy in Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors (Arizona Theatre Company and Straz Center), Actor 2 in Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big San Diego Christmas Show (The Old Globe), Elizabeth in Young Frankenstein, Gertrude McFuzz in Seussical, Sister Mary Robert in Sister Act (Pittsburgh CLO). BFA graduate of Carnegie Mellon University.
ADRIANE LEIGH ROBINSON (Lucy and others July 7-19). Blumenthal Arts Debut. Regional: Lucy in Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, Casey in First
Date (Denver Center); Billie Bendix in Nice Work If You Can Get It (Lone Tree Arts Center); Sibella in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, Cynthia Weil in Beautiful, Lola in Damn Yankees (Arvada Center); Olivia in Miss You Like Hell (Aurora Fox). 2015 graduate of the University of Northern Colorado. IG: @little.adriane.leigh
JAMES ROMNEY (Harker and others). Blumenthal Arts debut. Broadway: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Camelot. Regional: Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, Young Frankenstein, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, and Man of La Mancha. Chicago: Big River, Fly by Night, My Fair Lady, Carousel, The Merry Widow. Film: Seeing The Elephant.
CHRISTOPHER JAMES STEVENS (Dracula). Blumenthal Arts debut. Broadway: Leopoldstadt. New York: Uncle Stan with The Krymov Lab/Hunter College. Regional: Christmas Carol: On Air. Film: Achiever, which premiered at SXSW. Education: MFA graduate of the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. christopherjamesstevens.com @christopher.james.stevens
PAUL VOGT (Mina, Van Helsing, and others). Blumenthal Arts debut. Broadway: Edna Turnblad in Hairspray and Amos Hart in Chicago. Replaced Harvey Fierstein in Hairspray in Las Vegas. National/ International Tour: Chicago. Regional: Chantal in La Cage Aux Folles (Pasadena Playhouse), Ursula in Disney’s The Little Mermaid (MUNY), Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors (Studio Theatre), Legionnaire in What the Constitution Means to Me, Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing (Orlando Shakespeare Theater), Mr. Bumble in Oliver (Arena
Stage), Laurel and Hardy (Falcon Theater), Idaho (Forestburgh-World/ The Smith Center Vegas Premier), Funny Thing... Forum (Paper Mill), Hairspray (NSMT, Sacramento, MUNY, PCLO, TUTs, North Shore (Tuacahn), Disney’s Aladdin (Tuacahn), Minsky’s (Ahmanson – World Premiere), and Garry Marshall’s Happy Days: A New Musical (Original Cast). Film: Valentines Day, Princess Diaries 2, Good Boy, Lilo and Stitch 2, Side Hustle, “The Rerun Show” (NBC), “Raising Hope”, “Glee”, “Grey’s Anatomy”, “Hannah Montana”, “Arrested Development”, “Reno 911”, and “Maximum Bob” paulcvogt.com, YouTube: @paulievogt IG: @paulcvogt
MATTHEW DONAHUE (Understudy for Harker and others). Matthew is excited to be making his debut with Blumenthal Arts! Regional: Macbeth, You Can’t Take it With You, The Royale, Death of a Salesman, Every Brilliant Thing, Murder on the Orient Express, Much Ado About Nothing (PlayMakers Repertory Company); Little Shop of Horrors (Virginia Theatre Festival); Gypsy, Oklahoma! (The Prizery); Peter and the Starcatcher, The Fox (Commonweal Theatre Company). Training: MFA Acting, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; BFA Acting, East Carolina University. He would like to thank his partner, Katie, and his family for their ever-loving support and encouragement. Follow him on instagram @mattddonahue
ANDREA KING (Understudy for Dr. Westfeldt, Renfield, and others).
Andrea King has been a part of the Charlotte theatre scene since the turn of the century. Favorite acting credits include The Play That Goes Wrong (Dennis) at Theatre Charlotte, Ugly Lies the Bone (Jess) at Three Bone Theatre, Twelfth Night (Orsino), Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio), and
Macbeth (Banquo) with Chickspeare; The Sherlock Project (Sherlock Holmes), Much Ado About Nothing (Dogberry/Leonato), We Won’t Pay!, We Won’t Pay! (State Trooper) and The Mystery of Irma Vep (Jane/Edgar/ Irma) with PaperHouse Theatre. Andrea has also had the privilege of directing Bye Bye Birdie for Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, A Comedy of Errors for Chickspeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream for Theatre Charlotte, and Penny Penniworth for PaperHouse Theatre’s inaugural show and many reboots to boot. Andrea would like to thank Dennis for being her first director in Charlotte and a constant champion, Jenn for being the best wife and the silliest goose, and Fred, George, and Penny Marshall for the daily reminder that snacks are the key to happiness.
KIANA KING (Understudy for Lucy and others). Kiana King is a Charlotte, North Carolina-based actor pursuing a B.A. in Theatre Performance at Appalachian State University, graduating in Spring of ‘28. Her recent stage credits include She Kills Monsters (Kaliope), The Addams Family (Morticia), and The Rocky Horror Picture Show shadow cast (Rocky). Known for her affinity for dark comedy and character-driven performances, Kiana is passionate about stage and screen acting, and hopes to continue expanding into more dramatic roles. She is currently making her professional debut understudying for the role of Lucy Westfeldt and others in Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors.
JEREMY SHANE / JELLY CLARCKSON (Understudy for Mina, Van Helsing, and others). Jeremy Shane is a Charlotte native who is thrilled to be donning Dracula Drags! They are a comedian, an artist and lover of whimsy! A huge thank you to Blumenthal Arts and all those behind
the scenes who bring such wonderful programming to the Queen City! Feel Free to Follow the alter ego @Jelly_ Clarckson on all things social medias!
LOHMAR WOLF (Understudy for Dracula). Lohmar is thrilled to be joining Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors as an understudy for Dracula—a role he has, fittingly, had the pleasure of playing before with the Post Mortem Players. He recently completed a regional tour with Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, appearing in Topsy Turvy Cinderella and New Kid. Additional recent credits include Fidele in Death Takes a Holiday, Chad in All Shook Up, and Bobby Strong in Urinetown. When he’s not onstage, Lohmar enjoys spending his time rescuing cats in need and gaming with friends.
GORDON GREENBERG (Director and Co-Author). Broadway: Heart of Rock and Roll (James Earl Jones Theatre) and Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn (also co-writer, Studio 54, PBS Great Performances). Off-Broadway: The Baker’s Wife (C.S.C.), Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors (also co-writer), Working (Drama Desk), and Jacques Brel… (Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics noms). London: Guys and Dolls with Rebel Wilson (Olivier Award nom), Single White Female (A.T.G.), and Barnum, The Baker’s Wife, and Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors (Menier). Regional: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (Geffen, L. A. Drama Critics Award), Piaf/ Dietrich (Mirvish Toronto, Dora Award), Crime and Punishment, A Comedy (also co-writer, Old Globe), Tangled (Disney), Ghost Tour (writer, Theatre Aspen), and regional work at Williamstown, Old Globe, Signature, Paper Mill, Huntington, Chicago Shakespeare, MUNY, and Goodspeed. TV: “Most Talkative” (NBC, Co-Executive Producer/Writer with Blumhouse and Andy Cohen)
and original movie musicals for Disney and Nickelodeon. Education: Stanford University, NYU Film School. Ars Nova O.G. and Artistic Director of the Broadway Teachers Workshop.
STEVE ROSEN (Co-Author). Previous collaborations with Gordon Greenberg: The Secret of My Success (co-book, Joseph Jefferson nomination), Crime and Punishment, a Comedy (Old Globe), and Ebenezer Scrooge’s BIG Christmas Show (Old Globe, George Street Playhouse), as well as podcasts Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors and Rolling Calls (Broadway Podcast Network). Co-wrote with David Rossmer: Book, music, and lyrics of 50 First Dates, The Musical (The Other Palace, London), The Griswolds’ Broadway Vacation (Seattle’s 5th Ave), and The Other Josh Cohen (Off-Broadway, nom. for six Drama Desk Awards and Lucille Lortel and Off-Broadway Alliance Awards for Best New Musical). Broadway: Co-created the long-running Broadway improv/variety show Don’t Quit Your Night Job, original comedy material for artists like Sting, LinManuel Miranda, and Ariana Grande. Regional: Theater Under the Stars, Denver Center, Paramount Theatre, Paper Mill Playhouse, Maltz Jupiter Theater, Geva, and Bucks County Playhouse. Actor who originated roles in Monty Python’s Spamalot (Broadway), Aaron Sorkin’s The Farnsworth Invention (Broadway), Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play (Woolly Mammoth), and A Confederacy of Dunces (Huntington, Boston). @stevierosen
TIJANA BJELAJAC (Scenic and Puppetry Designer). Blumenthal Arts debut. Selected set design: Man of La Mancha (Maltz Jupiter Theater), The Counter (Theater Works Hartford), Disney’s Frozen the Musical (The
MUNY; Maltz Jupiter Theater; The Phoenix Theatre Company), Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors (Chocolate Factory, London; New World Stages, Off-Broadway NYC; The Old Globe), Fiddler on the Roof (The MUNY), Cabaret (The Old Globe; Asolo Rep), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Drury Lane Theater, Chicago), Beauty and The Beast ( Misi Productions, Colombia), Othello (Actors’ Shakespeare Project, Boston), Living in the Exile (La MaMa, NYC). Teeyana. com IG: @tijanabjelajac
TRISTAN RAINES (Costume Designer). Blumenthal Arts debut. Has designed Broadway, regionally, internationally, and for film for 18 years. Venues/Companies (select): The Menier Chocolate Factory London, Virgin Voyages, Barrow Street Theater, Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, Kaleidoscope Immersive, The Old Globe, La Jolla Playhouse, The Denver Center, Bucks County Playhouse, CTGLA, The Muny, Signature Theater-DC, New World Stages, New York Theater Ballet, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruise line, SYFY Channel, Theatre Works USA, Cirque Música, Big League Tours and Troika Tours, and The Maltz Jupiter Theater. Upcoming National Tour: “Forever K-Pop”. Tenure track faculty and Associate Chair of Performing Arts Department, Emerson College. Member of United Scenic Artists. IG: tsbs17 | tristanraines.com
ROB DENTON (Lighting Designer). Blumenthal Arts debut. National Tour: Fraggle Rock, Back to the Rock: Live. Off-Broadway: Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors and The Jerusalem Syndrome. Regional: Come From Away (Theatre Raleigh), Come From Away, Dear Evan Hansen, and Jersey Boys (The Muny), The Mystery of Edwin Drood and A Complicated
Woman (Goodspeed Musicals), Circus Fire (TheaterWorks), The Lehman Trilogy (Capital Repertory Theatre), Baskerville (Alabama Shakespeare Festival), and Disney’s Frozen (Maltz Jupiter Theatre). Upcoming: Hairspray, Ain’t Too Proud, and Something Rotten! (The Muny). @rdentexdesign
VICTORIA DEIORIO (Original Music and Sound Designer). Blumenthal Arts debut. Off-Broadway: Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors (New World Stages), Nine Circles (Sheen Center), A Christmas Carol (St. Clements), Two Point Oh (Primary Stages), Arnie the Doughnut (The Pearl), Cassie’s Chimera (Joe’s Pub-The Public), The Bluest Eye with Steppenwolf (The Duke Theatre), and others. Regional: Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The Goodman, Steppenwolf Theatre, Hartford Stage, Long Wharf Theatre, Syracuse Stage, Cleveland Playhouse, Indiana Repertory, and many others. Awards: Has won seven Jeff Awards, two After Dark Awards, and a SALT Award. Was head of Sound Design at DePaul University for 15 years, currently building Vibes AI, a company using Sound Therapy to aid with cognitive decline. bio.site/ VictoriaDeiorio
MAX DOOLITTLE (Associate Lighting Designer). New York: Ars Nova, The Juilliard School, New Ohio Theatre, New World Stages, Signature Theatre Center. Regional: Ford’s Theatre, Woolly Mammoth Theatre, Folger Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, Mosaic Theater, Imagination Stage, Theatre J, The Kennedy Center, Theater Alliance, Forum Theatre, Adventure Theatre MTC, Constellation Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Academy for Classical Acting, Pointless Theatre Co., Geffen Playhouse, Santa Fe Playhouse, Kitchen Theatre Company, Fulton
Theatre, Rep Stage, Ordway Center, The Second City Chicago, NextStop Theatre Co. Cruises: Wine Lovers, The Musical. TV/Film: Anderson Cooper 360, Erin Burnett OutFront. Teaching: The University of Mary Washington, Lighting Design and Computer Drafting. Education: University of Maryland: MFA. Member: USA-829
MIKE DEYO (Associate Sound Designer). Mike Deyo is a New York City-based Associate Sound Designer and Production Audio. His recent credits include: BUG (Broadway – Assoc. Design), Yellow Face (Broadway – Assoc. Design), Mexodus (Off-Broadway – Assoc. Design), Romy & Michele (Off-Broadway – Prod. Audio), The Apple Boys (Regional – Assoc. Design), Glass. Kill. What If, If Only. Imp (Off-Broadway – Assoc. Design), Grief Camp (OffBroadway – Assoc. Design), The Wiz (Tour – Prod. Audio), Twenty Sided Tavern (Off-Broadway – Prod. Audio).
NICK PEREZ-HOOP (Associate Director). Blumenthal Arts debut. Brooklyn- and Philly-based multidisciplinary theatre artist. Regional: Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors (Arizona Theatre Company and Straz Center of the Performing Arts). Other Credits: Round House Theatre, Walnut Street Theatre, Atlanta Shakespeare Company, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Jobsite Theater, Urbanite Theatre, Florida Repertory Theatre, Philadelphia Artists Collective, and more. Currently developing a play about cannibals. Next up: Rocky at Cecil College.
GEOFF JOSSELSON CASTING (Casting). New York and Tours: Spamalot revival, Beetlejuice, The Velocity of Autumn, …Spelling Bee, Marcel on the Train, Beau, Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, Cellino v. Barnes, Altar Boyz, Southern Comfort, and
Yank! as well as productions for Arena Stage, Baltimore Center Stage, Carnegie Hall, The Civilians, Goodspeed, Irish Repertory Theatre, Kennedy Center, Long Wharf, The Old Globe, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Paper Mill Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse, Pioneer Theatre Company, Pittsburgh CLO, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Signature Theatre, Studio Theatre, and Village Theatre. josscasting.com
ANJEE NERO (Opening Stage Manager). Blumenthal Arts debut. Broadway: Bright Star. World Premiere Musicals: Regency Girls, Come Fall in Love, Almost Famous, The Heart of Rock and Roll, Bright Star, The Gardens of Anuncia, Allegiance, October Sky, Benny & Joon, and A Room with a View, among others. Select Regional Highlights: Noises Off, A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story Told by Jefferson Mays, Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, Ride, Cabaret, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Rocky Horror Show, Life After, The Wanderers, Ebenezer Scrooge’s BIG San Diego Christmas Show, The Tempest, The Winter’s Tale, Be a Good Little Widow, and more (The Old Globe); Bright Star (Kennedy Center); Fly, Sideways, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Herringbone, The Seven (La Jolla Playhouse); Ruined (Huntington Theatre, Berkeley Repertory Theatre); Kiss Me, Kate (Hartford Stage); Venice (Center Theatre Group); and Antigone (SITI Company).
MOLLY ELIZABETH MCCARTER
(Stage Manager). Molly Elizabeth McCarter is thrilled to celebrate her 30th year of professional stage management at Blumenthal Arts. Her previous work includes productions with Berkeley Repertory Theatre,
Blue Man Group, The Maltz Jupiter, The New Victory, Pittsburgh CLO, Shakespeare & Company, and Yale Repertory Theatre among others. When not stage managing, Molly serves as a Professor of Stage Management at University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
DALLAS MORRIS (Assistant Stage Manager). Dallas is pleased to be back at Blumenthal Arts where she was the Stage Manager for the 25th Season Kickoff with Leslie Odom, Jr., A Gala Musical Tribute to William Ivey Long, and five seasons of Charlotte Squawks. She was also the Resident Stage Manager for Children’s Theatre of Charlotte for five seasons. Regionally, Dallas has worked with The Boston Conservatory, North Shore Music Theatre, PCPA Theatrefest, and Virginia Opera. Favorite productions include Hair (NSMT), Angels in America (CCM), Turandot (Virginia Opera), and the NIKE exhibition at the Mint Museum for the NBA All-Star Weekend. She attended the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). Proud member of Actor’s Equity. All my love to Terry and Kai.
BLUMENTHAL ARTS (Producer). For more than 30 years, Blumenthal Arts has brought the best of Broadway and live entertainment to Charlotte while investing in Tony Awardwinning productions, supporting local artists, and expanding access to the arts. Through our theaters, educational programs, community partnerships, and innovative experiences at Blume Studios, we connect hundreds of thousands of people each year through shared artistic experiences, contribute more than $80 million annually to the local economy, and help ensure the arts remain accessible to all.
Opening Night: July 7, 2026
Booth Playhouse at Blumenthal Arts Center
STAFF FOR DRACULA: A COMEDY OF TERRORS
BLUMENTHAL ARTS
CEO Tom Gabbard
PROGRAMMING GENERAL MANAGER
Brittany Hoffman
CASTING
GEOFF JOSSELSON CASTING
Geoff Josselson, CSA Felicia Rudolph, CSA
Opening Stage Manager
Anjee Nero
Stage Manager Molly Elizabeth McCarter
Assistant Stage Manager ......................................... Dallas Morris
Associate Lighting Designer Max Doolittle
Associate Sound Designer Mike Deyo
Costume Supervisor ................................................ Allison Collins
Costume Assistant Beth Killion
Director of Production Bob Rogers
Assistant Director of Production Evan Kinsley
Booth Playhouse Technical Production Manager Jason Kennedy
Sound Supervisor Declan Lynch
Technical Production Staff........ Andrew Beck, Larry Berger, Brittany White, Alyssa Will Zegers
Warehouse Manager.............................................. Rodney Rollins
Event Management Staff Massoud Adibpour, Chloe Crawford, Olivia Gren, Jordan Tate
Director of Front of House Operations Tommy Cantrell
Director of Food and Beverage Caro Tanghe
Director of Ticketing and Revenue Management
Brian Jon Moran
Ticketing .......... Brian Antin, Rick Basdeo, Emily Dominguez, Joanne Horn, Lee LaBorde, Anna Norton
Director of Marketing ..................................... Lindsay McAllister
Marketing Raegan Kirkpatrick, Olivia Harvey, Gene McQueen
Digital Communications Manager Becky Bereiter
Press Representation
Rachel Sutherland Communications
Venue Partner Manager .......................................... Mary Weaver
Programming Coordinator Carrington Wigfall
Production Photography AlexanderSouth
Scenic, Props, and Costume Rentals Live Wire Theatrical/Chris Aniello
Trucking Logistics Logisource
Travel & Housing ......... Homewood Suites, The Dunhill Hotel
Opening Night Restaurant Partner Italo
STAFF FOR BLUMENTHAL ARTS
Chief Financial Officer Dmitri Beregovski
Chief Human Resources Officer Jennifer Catrambone
Chief Venue Operations Officer ....................David Kummings
Chief Education Officer Andie Maloney
Chief Community Impact and Partnership Officer Kristen Miranda
Chief Marketing Officer Sean Phaler
SPECIAL THANKS
Dennis Delamar
Shelby Kinsley
Sheldon Lane, Jamie Lara, and Arizona Theatre Company
Summer Bohnenkamp and Straz Center for the Performing Arts
Adelynne Money Majestic Scenic
The actors and stage managers employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.
Backstage Employees are represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (or I.A.T.S.E.).
