Kidz Kabaret stages musical, improv ‘Drakula’
One of these things doesn’t belong: Drakula, Dr. Seward, Van Helsing, Honey Boo Boo.
Kidz Kabaret’s annual improv production of “Drakula, the Musical?” throws some current events into the more traditional plot to create some roll-on-the-floor-laughing fun.
“It’s sort of a Second City show for families,” said Kandiss Hernandez, Kidz Kabaret executive director. “It’s Mel Brooks humor.”
The show runs Friday and Saturday, Oct. 26 and 27, at Center Stage Theater in Naperville and includes such extraneous characters as Taylor Swift and reality TV pageant princess Honey Boo Boo, as well as viral dance hit “Gangnam Style.”
Eight actors tell the underlying story, written by Hernandez and based loosely on Bram Stoker’s Van Helsing. But performers improvise the fun from there, she said.
“Every time that you say a state or even if it sounds like a state, that’s when we do ‘Gangnam Style,’” Hernandez said. “It makes no sense, but it’s extremely fun and improv and all of that.”
“Taylor Swift” may make an appearance to sing her hit, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” But watch out for a random interruption by “Kanye West” — a play on his rude reaction to Swift’s winning the best female video in 2009 at the MTV Video Music Awards.
“I’m really looking forward to the Taylor Swift. I think it’ll be very funny adding the Drakula accent to that character,” said Megan Hill, 21, of Naperville.
Playing the part of Drakula the past four years, Hill says there hasn’t been one show that’s the same — and this year is no different.
“The best is getting audience feedback and being able to develop new things based on their reactions,” said Hill, a junior at Robert Morris College. “The best thing is having them laugh and give you different ideas.”
All eight performers in “Drakula, the Musical?” are currently in college and will travel from as far as Southern Illinois University to perform. They love the show and getting into the spirit of Halloween that much, Hernandez said.
“It puts that Wednesday Halloween into the weekend and gets the kids into their costumes early,” Hernandez said. “The parents are laughing just as much as the kids are. It really promotes getting the family together and family fun.”
People who attend in costume receive a free concession item. Kidz Kabaret is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the inclusion of all children of all abilities by providing opportunities for growth and learning through performance.
Showtimes for “Drakula, the Musical?” are 7 p.m. Friday and at 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors, and $6 for ages 10 and younger. Tickets are available online at kidzkabaret.fairladyproductions.net.
For information, call (630) 355-9212.
If you go
What: Drakula, the Musical?
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26; 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27
Where: Center Stage Theater, 1664 Quincy Ave. No. 131, Naperville
Tickets: $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors, $6 ages 10 and younger
Info: (630) 355-9212 or kidzkabaret.fairladyproductions.net