Con-Con’s ‘Dracula – A Comedy of Terrors’ succeeds in hitting the comedy jugular

Convergence-Continuum bills itself as “Cleveland’s up-close and OUT there Theatre” and for proof of this one need go no further than their latest offering. Gordon Greenberg’s and Steve Rosen’s “Dracula – A Comedy Of Terrors” combines a classic gothic horror story, LGBTQ+ cast and themes, fast paced action and comic farce in a 100 minute intermission free castle romp. Four actors take on the roles of fourteen characters with Dracula being played by the over the top Samuel J. Bartlett.

This show began as an off-Broadway comic farce in September of 2023 at the New World Stages. It quickly became a TikTok sensation due to its unrelenting parody of popular modern references of popular culture. Part of the fun is discovering all the “easter eggs”.

This “Drac” is a loosely based version (very) of the Bram Stoker classic. In this show Jonathan Harker (Carson Betts) is a realtor traveling to Transylvania in the hopes of closing on five properties in London, England. While finalizing the multi-property deal he mentions a run down castle that is up for grabs. Dracula (Samuel J. Bartlett) pounces on it.

Dracula travels to his new home by ship carrying six coffins filled with Transylvania soil. The ship arrives with all of the crew dead under mysterious conditions but Drac survives. He shows up at the Westfedlt estate of Harker’s fiance, Lucy (Katherine Nash), her sister Mina (Leo Fez), their father, Doctor Westfedlt (Emily Schrader) who runs an asylum in the estate, compulsive liar and kleptomaniac maid, Kitty (Katherine Nash) and Renfield (Emily Schrader) a patient at the manor/asylum.

Mina falls victim to a mysterious disease of the blood (brought on by the bite of Dracula) and Van Helsing (Leo Fez) is called in to save her. Lucy and Jonathan have been together since childhood when Lucy saved his life from drowning. She is an adventurous sort while her beau is a bit traditional (i.e. boring). Bug eating Renfield is soon under the spell of Dracula as they move into the newly purchased broken down castle. Eventually, Van Helsing discovers Dracula’s secret and the foursome travels across London in search of the various coffins in order to find the vampire and dispatch him with a “shtick” (stake).

This is without a doubt the most over the top rendition of Stoker’s novel ever done. The constant change of characters are ingenious and the quips fly fast and furious throughout the play. Carson Betts as Harker/3 Lords/Bosun/Gravedigger is terrific as the staid Englishman who changes into a hipper mod version of himself due to the Drac influence. Emily Schrader as Dr. Westfedlt/Renfield/Captain gets the most laughs with her Westfedlt/Renfield changeovers. Katherine Nash as Lucy/Kitty/Driver plays a deliciously combination of straight roles. Leo Fez as Mina/Van Helsing (on stage at the same time) is an absolute hoot. Lastly, there is Samuel J. Bartlett as Dracula whose rendition goes right for the neck.

The fast paced comic farce is aptly directed by Scott Zolkowski. Amanda Rowe Van Allen sees that everyone is outfitted in period authentic costumes. Cory Molner’s set design is a masterpiece with English type wall paper and oil paintings on the walls (look for the small tribute picture). Robert Wachala’s lighting design works well to establish the mood and Cory Molner’s sound design is perfect for the enclosed space.

Take a blender and mix equal parts of Stoker’s classic, Monty Python, Mel Brooks and Ken Ludwig. Blend until smooth and drink it up in one quick intermission free 100 minutes of mad cap farce that will having you screaming with laughter rather than terror. This is the perfect season to check out this masterpiece of absurdity.

The Convergence-Continuum production of “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors” will be on stage in the Liminis Theater at 2438 Scranton Road in historic Tremont (Cleveland), Ohio through October 25, 2025. For more information and to purchase tickets go to https://www.convergence-continuum.org/ or call (216) 687-0074.