Stakes, Steaks, and Sausages: Dracula Gets a Rom-Com Glow-Up!

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Move over, moody monsters! This season, Transylvania’s most famous resident is trading the gloom for the giggle. A “ridiculous” reimagining of Bram Stoker’s classic to the stage for a one-night-only benefit reading that promises to be more Monty Python than Nosferatu.

Written by Pete McElligott and directed by Michael James Duran, this version of Dracula features eight brave actors tackling a whirlwind of roles. Expect lightning-fast costume changes, a rogue cowboy (don’t ask), and enough high-octane energy to wake the undead. Best of all? It’s all for a fantastic cause: Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Meet the Chaos-Makers (The Cast)

To pull off a “rom-com horror” with thunder sheets and sausages, you need a heavy-hitting crew. Meet the coven bringing the bite:

  • Adam Siddiqui Shaukat: A Yale MFA grad seen on HBO’s The Pitt and Hulu’s Not Suitable for Work. He’s played Romeo, but how will he handle a vampire?
  • Alexandra Maurice: Fresh off Invasive Species at The Vineyard Theatre, this Yale MFA alum brings powerhouse training from Howard University to the madness.
  • Dana Kreitz: A Brooklyn-based triple threat (actor/producer/writer) you’ve seen on virtually every major network (HBO, NBC, Hulu). She knows how to tell a story—and likely how to survive a staged reading.
  • Griffin Stanton-Ameisen: A Philly-born dynamo and founder of Revolution Shakespeare. From Severance to Hamlet, he’s ready for the “ridiculous.”
  • Herbert Benjamin: A New Orleans native and improv pro from Entirely From Memory. He brings “creative flavor” and a mission to capture the heart of storytelling.
  • Kate Abbruzzese: An NYU Tisch MFA who has shared the stage with Christopher Lloyd. You’ve seen her on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and The Blacklist.
  • Sarah Lyddan: A California-born artist and Yale MFA recipient of the Oliver Thorndike Award. She’s navigated the world of Succession and Law & Order: SVU.
  • Scott Thomas: A frequent collaborator with the playwright, Scott is an actor, writer, and—importantly—a Slide Slam world championship runner-up. He’s seen it all, from A24 films to HBO.

The Gory Details (How to See It)

“Enter freely and of your own free will,” but remember—this is a one-night-only affair! Whether you’re a fan of gothic horror, romantic tropes, or just want to support an incredible cause, this is the event of the season.

  • Event: Dracula (A Staged Reading)
  • Date & Time: 7:00 p.m.
  • Venue: Open Jar Studios
  • Address: 1601 Broadway, 11th Floor, New York City
  • The Mission: Proceeds benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and the play’s future developmental run in Fall 2026.

Pro Tip: Don’t wait for an invitation like a polite vampire. Grab your tickets now and help support the arts and lifesaving services for those in need!

#DraculaRomCom #BroadwayCares #NYCStage #SupportTheArts

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