tweet review - #mnfringe show 24 - 4 Bisexuals and 2 Guys Named John Kill Dracula: among many other things, the horniest and most ridiculous use of garlic bread I have ever seen; joyful, sexy, hilarious, from the web of relationships down to the scene changes; great fun, no notes - 5 stars
Favorite #mnfringe quote of the night: staff member at Rarig Arena calling out to people approaching the box office, “Are you here to see 4 Bisexuals?”
You know it’s going to be a fun show when even the scene changes make you laugh. Early on in “4 Bisexuals and 2 Guys Named John Kill Dracula,” the old woman who runs the restaurant where Jonathan Harker is getting his last meal before heading out to Castle Dracula has to strike the table Jonathan was sitting at to make way for the next scene. The actress continues to hobble around like an old woman as she bears the added burden of the table she needs to carry away and it’s hilarious. Then Dracula is masquerading as Jonathan’s Uber driver (though still wearing his cape) while they sit in two folding chairs one right behind the other. When Jonathan is dropped off at his destination, Dracula remains seated in the chair but stands up, and then with his cape billowing all around him and the chair still firmly planted against his butt, he quickly waddles offstage cackling “Mwah-ha-ha-ha!” evil villain style. And then he comes back onstage and does exactly the same thing with the other chair, while we and Jonathan continue to watch, and wait, and laugh.
“No charge. Protect your soul!”
Lady Chamberlain Productions has a lot of inspired and sexy silliness going on in playwright/director Zoe Rose Jennings’ wacky adaptation of the horror classic. Everyone in the cast is great and has a lot of fun going all in for even the most ridiculous moments. Brandon Willey is a hoot as Dracula, delightfully exasperated at the simplest of obstacles to his diabolical schemes, like closed windows, cell phone cameras, or sunlight, then just happy to be able to put a little salt and pepper on a victim’s neck before digging in for that first bite. Dracula hires Jonathan Harker (Chuck Vodacek) to help him buy a house in Minneapolis because Harker is a trans man. Then Dracula says, “As a Trans man myself…” and the audience starts to get uncomfortable, until we realize he thinks trans is short for Transylvanian.
“Can’t two guys make out in a graveyard without getting the third degree?”
Because there is no cell phone service at Castle Dracula, Johnathan has to write letters to his finacee Mina (Raya Storm) back home in the Twin Cities. While waiting and worrying over Jonathan’s delayed return, Mina tends to her ailing friend Lucy (Calista Robinson) who, despite her failing health is trying to get out there and date. And it looks like she has not one, not two, but three suitors at the same time - John (Ben Qualley), Arthur (Leor Benjamin) and Quincy (Maxon Alexander). They all love dating Lucy, but they also all love each other as well, and invite Lucy to join their polycule. This comes in handy after Lucy is attacked by Dracula, because it turns out John, Arthur and Quincy are also all professional vampire hunters. The polycule also calls on the assistance of Dr. Van Helsing (Kjer Whiting) to buck up their spirits and lead the crew in making some very sexy garlic bread to help them in the final battle to bring down Count Dracula and save Lucy’s soul.
“The first rule of vampire killing is you gotta be hot - helps with morale.”
4 Bisexuals and 2 Guys Named John Kill Dracula is a fast-moving and funny bit of campy horror, and keeping it moving is vital so hats off to stage manager Emily Lefrancois, and fight choreographer Mike Lubke. Also kudos to prop designer Terri Ristow and assistant Ian Fee for producing things like a little sign that says “Poof!” or a necklace of garlic to add that extra comic touch to the proceedings.
“I’m so glad I’m not gonna die sexy.”
4 Bisexuals and 2 Guys Named John Kill Dracula is a heck of a lot of fun so go see it for yourself. It’s always nice to have something smart but goofy on your theater schedule to liven things up.
5 Stars - Very Highly Recommended
Here's some handy links to a rundown of 5 and 4.5 Star shows I've seen this year, also the 4 and 3.5 Star shows, and the rest, plus this year's Top 10 list, and Top 11-20 List, and the full list of all returning favorites in the 2023 Fringe, plus a link to all the 2023 Minnesota Fringe Festival coverage.
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