The new Off-Broadway show “Dracula a Comedy of Terrors,” now playing at New World Stages, certainly lives up to its title, ensuring lots of laughs infused into the original storyline along with some brilliant performances. Playwrights Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen have penned a script that skewers the original novel with gender bending characters, risqué innuendos, and over the top ridiculous behavior. It is a fast-paced farce, including lightning quick costume changes, plenty of mugging and a cast that “sinks their teeth into the material”. Directed by Mr. Greenberg, the first half of the show is hysterical, starting with Count Dracula, (a captivating James Daly), making his entrance in a see through, black lace, cropped vest and black leather hip huggers. Let the fun begin with the remaining four actors playing all the remaining roles including the bats, suitors, gravedigger, housekeeper, coach driver, asylum resident and ship captain.

The cast is remarkable, executing impeccable comic timing, remarkable character transitions, and the ability to keep a straight face as they deliver absurd dialogue during the most ludicrous situations. They are not only great comedians but understand the nature of comedy and how to garner the most laughs from the material afforded them. Andrew Keenan-Bolger gives us a respectable, provincial Jonathan Harker until his other side surfaces after meeting the infectious Count Dracula. His scene playing the three suitors, with the help of puppets designed by Tijana Bjelajac, is hilarious, and displays his versatility and wide range of talents. Jordan Boatman is stunning as Lucy, the object of Dracula’s desire, and serves other roles just as well. Dr. John Seward is given a stern portrayal by Ellen Harvey, always concerned and sincere, while also quickly transitioning to Renfield, a manic, psychotic patient in the asylum. James Daly creates a bisexual, quasi metro sexual (minus the mirror), character as Dracula. He is cunning, crafty, self-absorbed and sexy, taking every opportunity to give this comedy some extra bite. Then there is the incomparable Arnie Burton creating the homeliest Mina on record, while doubling as vampire hunter Van Helsing. His Interpretation of Van Helsing gives Frau Blucher in “Young Frankenstein” a run for its money. He has mastered the comedy of ridiculous theatre, and it is on display here.

Costumes by Tristan Raines along with Hair and Wig design by Ashley Rae Callahan enhance the gender bending efforts of the cast while creating a sound take off on the period. Director Gordon Greenberg takes off with a fast sprint during the first half of the production, with non-stop comedy and farce, but tends to lose that pace as he falls prey to the storyline, taking the absurdity down a few notches and investing in too much emotional content during the second half of the production. Regardless, this is a first-rate production and a fun evening at the theatre. Leave your troubles at the door and lose yourself in an enjoyable evening of complete and utter nonsense.