After a sold-out run last Halloween, this Off-Broadway and West End hit comes back to life, just in time for spooky season in Cincinnati!
Cincinnati, October 8, 2026 – Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is thrilled to present the smash Halloween hit Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen, directed by Producing Artistic Director and CEO Brian Isaac Phillips. Following a sold-out run last season, this wildly entertaining comedy returns to the Cincy Shakes stage with its original cast for another round of hilarious Halloween fun. “This was one of our most successful productions of all time, and we loved welcoming so many new faces to the theater during the Halloween season,” says Mr. Phillips, who returns to direct the production. “We knew we had to bring it back for another year!”
About the show: Filled with outrageous twists, playful innuendo, and more laughs than you can count, this delightful romp reimagines Bram Stoker’s gothic classic like you’ve never seen before. This dangerously debonair Dracula brings seductive chaos, proving that sometimes the Prince of Darkness can be as captivating as he is cunning. Join the hilarious hunt this Halloween season, where the only thing sharper than Dracula’s fangs are the gags that’ll leave audiences in stitches (again).
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors premiered Off-Broadway at New World Stages on September 4, 2023, where it quickly gained popularity with critics and audiences for its fast-paced farce and campy spin on Bram Stoker’s classic. The production became a viral sensation and went on to enjoy strong success in regional theatres across the U.S. Following its New York run, it made its UK premiere in March 2025 at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, marking a significant step in its international reach and continued popularity.
Bringing the outrageous world of Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors to life is a stellar cast of CSC favorites. Christopher Guthrie sinks his teeth into the title role of Count Dracula, while Kelly Mengelkoch showcases her versatility as both Mina Westfeldt and the fearless Dr. Van Helsing. Candice Handy takes on the role of Jonathan Harker, with Jasimine Bouldin as the spirited Lucy Westfeldt. Rounding out the ensemble, Billy Chace delivers double the laughs as both Dr. Westfeldt and the delightfully unhinged Renfield.
Directed by CSC Producing Artistic Director and CEO Brian Isaac Phillips, with Assistant Director Robert Carlton Stimmel, this creative team is bringing Halloween hilarity to life! Scenic Designer Chris Holloway sets the stage for comedic chaos, while Costume Designer Rainy Edwards—along with Kayla Cieslinski’s wig design—gives Dracula and the cast their iconic looks. Lighting Designer Ben Niemczyk and Sound Designer Doug Borntrager add to the fun with a playful mix of gags and sound effects. Gina Cerimele-Mechley serves as Fight and Intimacy Director, and Susan Jung brings movement to the stage as Dance Choreographer. The production is stage managed by Cole Sweasy, with Assistant Stage Management by Colton Wolf.
Every performance of Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors is a wild night out, complete with Blood Bag Cocktails, Halloween candy, spooky surprises, killer music and, most importantly, one hilariously over-the-top show! But because it’s Halloween season, we couldn’t stop there. We’ve planned a few extra-special nights packed with costumes, prizes, themed treats and even more frighteningly fun surprises. Pick your night and join the madness:
BLINKULA
Thursday, October 8 & Friday, October 9
Dracula is getting the BLINK treatment! Both performances start early at 6:30 PM, so you can see the show first and then head out to experience BLINK throughout the city. Grab a free BLINKULA Goodie Bag filled with glow-in-the-dark vampire teeth, bat rings, temporary tattoos, candy and more. Plus, pre-paid parking is available nearby so you can park before the BLINK crowds arrive. It’s the perfect spooky start to your BLINK night!
Insights: Behind the Bite
Thursday, October 15
Sink your teeth a little deeper into Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors! Before the performance, join John Getz, Professor Emeritus of English at Xavier University, for a special Insights discussion exploring Dracula, comedy, and what happens when one of literature’s most famous monsters gets played for laughs.
Costume Nights
Friday, October 16 – Villains After Dark
Tonight, the villains take over! Dress as your favorite Halloween villain, from classic monsters and movie baddies to your own devilish creation. We’ll crown our favorite villain of the night and award a themed prize. Evil has never looked so good!
Friday, October 23 – Bard Bash
Huzzah! It’s time to get fantastical. Come dressed in your best Renaissance, Shakespeare-inspired or fantasy look. Think kings, queens, fairies, knights, witches, woodland creatures and more. Our favorite look of the night will take home a themed prize!
Friday, October 30 – Double, Double, Toil & Trouble Night
Calling all witches, wizards and magical mischief-makers! Dress in your best witch or wizard-inspired costume for a chance to win a themed prize. We’ll also have exclusive spooky cocktails and drinks on the menu for the evening. Consider it your Halloween Eve warm-up!
Saturday, October 31 – Ultimate Halloween Costume Double Header
It’s Halloween, and we’re going all in with two performances at 2 PM and 7:30 PM! Come in costume for the ultimate Halloween celebration at CSC, with themed prizes, candy in the lobby and plenty of spooky fun. Everyone who comes dressed up can stick around after the performance for a special group photo with the cast. Two performances. One very ridiculous Dracula. Maximum Halloween chaos!
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Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors runs October 9 through 31, 2026. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30pm. Saturday matinees take place on October 10, 17, 24, and 31, with a Sunday matinee on October 25 and 18 all at 2:00pm.
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company also offers these performances with accessibility resources: Live Audio Description will be available on Friday October 9, and an American Sign Language-interpreted performance will take place on October 31 at 2:00pm.
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Tickets are on sale now. Discounts are available for students, seniors, local residents, and community partners. Each performance also includes a limited number of $14 “Access” tickets, available in advance online or by calling the Box Office. Beginning one hour before each performance, any remaining unreserved seats may become available as $12 Rush Tickets for anyone, not just students. Rush Tickets may be located anywhere in the theater depending on that evening’s availability, cannot be reserved in advance, and must be purchased in person at the Box Office.
All major credit cards are accepted. Ticketing fees apply. To purchase tickets or learn more, contact the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Box Office at 513.381.BARD (2273) ext. 1 or visit the website online at cincyshakes.com.
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is located at The Otto M. Budig Theater at 1195 Elm Street in OTR, adjacent to Washington Park. Many parking spaces are available on the street and in nearby lots and garages- for more information, visit online here.
CSC has coordinated a prepaid self-parking option right next door to the theater for a hassle‐free, guaranteed spot. A limited number of reserved spaces are available starting 1.5 hours before performances and lasting through the end of the show. The 3CDC parking attendant will have your name on the list with advance purchase, guaranteeing your spot and price. Visit www.cincyshakes.com/parking to reserve self-parking.
This is the fourth production in Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s 2026-2027 Season which is generously presented by our Operating Support Partners: The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation; The Linnemann Family Foundation; The Ohio Arts Council; The Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation; The National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest; The Shubert Foundation; Maureen and John Bridgeland, Cindy Bridgeland Crilley, and Debby and Jim Mason in honor of Jim Bridgeland; Lightborne, and the tens of thousands of people who give generously to the ArtsWave Community Campaign.
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About Cincinnati Shakespeare Company:
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is a professional theatre company dedicated to bringing Shakespeare and the classics to life for all. In the summer of 2017, the theater relocated to the Otto M. Budig Theater, a brand new facility in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati. CSC’s repertoire is composed of the works of William Shakespeare, literary adaptations, world premieres, and contemporary classics. CSC performs on a Small Professional Theatre contract with the Actors’ Equity Association. Cincinnati Shakespeare is a member of Theater Communications Group and Shakespeare Theatre Association. Each year, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Education and Outreach Programs reach more than 50,000 young people and community members by meeting audiences where they are. This includes sharing programming in schools, parks, community centers and hosting educational matinees of mainstage productions. In 2015, CSC was proud to become one of the first five theaters in the United States to “Complete the Canon” by producing all 38 plays by William Shakespeare. CSC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is proud to be Cincinnati’s stage for the Classics!
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
