Fangtastic Fun

Untitled Vampire Play

Have you ever met a vampire? Well, you might have and not known it because, despite the way these creatures are depicted in novels, horror films and television shows, vampires look much different today. The 21st century undead don’t resemble the bloodthirsty vamps in fictional works, such as “Nosferatu,” “Twilight,” “Interview With a Vampire,” “True Blood,” “What We Do in the Shadows” and the upcoming sitcom, “Eternally Yours.” The vampires who have been the subject of popular theatrical  plays and musicals, such as DRACULA, DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES, LESTAT, and the current broadway hit musical and Tony Award-winner, THE LOST BOYS, are always easy to identify by the way they look. But Kevin Douglas, the talented Chicago playwright and Lookingglass Theatre ensemble member, paints a much different, more contemporary portrait of today’s vampires who blend in with everyone else, and are apparently living among us in every big city…like Chicago.

Mr. Douglas has written several other exciting plays that have been popular hits and critical successes at Lookingglass Theatre. He penned the fascinating THADDEUS AND SLOCUM: A VAUDEVILLE ADVENTURE and the hilarious PLANTATION. But in UNTITLED VAMPIRE PLAY, the playwright’s latest venture, Kevin Douglas enters brand new territory. He sets his modern day story in Chicago. Within the two-hour play, Mr. Douglas explores issues like love, commitment and family loyalty, blending them together in a romantic comedy combined with a good, old fashioned horror story. And, surprisingly, this mashup really works! This comical Gothic romantic fantasy, that’s currently enjoying its world premiere, might even be called Fangtastic Fun!

Meet Dom. He’s an eager, young Gen Z fella with big dreams and aspirations. Currently working as a bartender, Dom has his sights set on becoming a curator at Chicago’s History Museum. Dom is madly in love with Val, but they’re only able to get together between sunset and sunrise. The reason? Val is a vampire. She lives with her younger sister Rose in an old house where bats can often be seen circling the turret. Roderick, their rebellious brother, has been banished. But the rogue bloodsucker has returned. He wants to pressure Val to release her hold on Rose so that Roderick and his little sister can hunt for victims together once again.

Meanwhile, Dom’s loving parents, Alicia and Louie, are a bit skeptical about their son’s new girlfriend. Val claims she’s a vampire, but the parents don’t really believe that she’s an actual bloodsucking fiend. They’re convinced that Val just belongs to a Kindred, some kind of strange, shady cult. But Louie, and especially Alicia, definitely don’t want their son to be mixed up with such a crackpot character, even though Val is pretty, seems very nice and is supportive of Dom’s career aspirations. Their mutual love of history is what initially brought the two young people together: Dom is fascinated by the past and Val has actually lived it. But is a sanguine life in the cards for this loving couple, pun intended? When you sink your teeth into the play’s conflict, there’s plenty to unpack. The story is further complicated by the arrival of an eager vampire hunter named Lance Van Helsing. And then Dom’s mother, homicide detective Alicia, is currently investigating the dead bodies found all over Chicago, drained of their vitae. Suddenly the plot, like blood, begins to thicken.

Working with Lookingglass Theatre for the first time, Devon de Mayo skillfully directs Kevin Douglas’ new play utilizing, not only Alyssa Mohn’s Gothic-inspired, multilevel scenic design, but the entire theatre venue. Sometimes he brings all the gore into the audience. His cast is excellent. Jordan Arredondo makes his Lookingglass debut as Dom. The charismatic young actor has been seen at Steppenwolf in YOU WILL GET SICK, as well as IN THE HEIGHTS at Marriott and FUN HOME at Paramount. His onstage chemistry is powerful with Courtney Rikki Green, in the role of Val the vampire. Also making her Lookingglass debut, Ms. Green will be remembered from HENRY V and BILLIE JEAN, at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Together these two actors bring unbridled passion and pluck to the strained romantic relationship between the mortal and the undead. 

The two actors also provide moments of humor, as do their talented cast mates. Much of the play’s humor is provided by gifted Chicago actor and Lookingglass favorite, Kareem Bandealy. He’s cast as both Louis and Lance, and plays each role so well that I wasn’t aware that the two characters were portrayed by the same actor. Although I’ve seen Kareem in many a dramatic role, and been thoroughly impressed each time, playing comedy comes naturally to him, as evidenced by this play. He’s paired beautifully with gorgeous and gifted Cynthia Kay McWilliams as Alicia. A proud graduate of Depaul University’s prestigious Theater School, Ms. McWilliams makes her first appearance at Lookingglass as a loving mom and tough police detective. Cynthia also proves she’s quite adept at comedy, as well, as Alicia spars and trades jokes with her husband.

The excellent and hilariously energetic Jin Park (IN QUIETNESS, A Red Orchid) confidently steps onto the Lookingglass stage for the first time in the role of Rose. She makes this younger vampire a full, three-dimensional character, filled with fun and a longing to be free from her older sister’s domination. Whether doing yoga with Val or hunting for victims with her brother, Jin commands the audience’s attention. And handsome Walter Briggs, who plays Val and Rose’s brother Roderick, creates a strong and seductive character who mesmerizes theatergoers. He uses both his commanding voice and his lithe body to convincingly portray a vampire who can be very frightening and truly enjoys his life. 

In addition to Alyssa Mohn’s haunted mansion-inspired scenic design, complete with tricked-out coffins, Jason Lynch has upped the ante with some terrific special lighting effects. And Andre Pluess has designed a soundtrack that works extremely well for this vampire story. A tip of the hat, as well, to Patrick Ham for his gory blood design. But try not to sit in the front row if you’re squeamish and don’t want the gore splashed on you.

Kevin Douglas’ latest play, now having its world premiere at Lookingglass Theatre, is filled with Fangtastic Fun. There’s something in this play for everyone. For those who enjoy a good rom com, this bittersweet romance will bring enjoyment with the relationship between Dom and Val. And anyone who is a fan of Gothic tales of terror and melodramatic horror films about the undead will find a lot to sink their teeth into with the delightful UNTITLED VAMPIRE PLAY. It’s just plain bloody good fun! Only remember to leave your crucifixes, holy water and garlic at home.   

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented June 4-July 12 by Lookingglass Theatre, in the Water Tower Pumping Station, 821 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 312-337-0665 or by going to www.lookingglasstheatre.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.

Photos by Justin Barbin