Vampires, the Devil himself, and a rock popera. Could you ask for more? The all new and original BLOOD/LOVE features 25 songs that tell a tale of love, friendship, heartbreak, and redemption. And where better to present this “perfect-for-Halloween” show than at The Crimson, a gothic nightclub with supernatural credentials (and craft cocktails to boot)? With book, music, and lyrics by Carey Sharpe and Dru DeCaro (additional music by Erin Boehme and Adam “Snake” Kobylarz) and choreography by Jonathan and Oksana Platero, BLOOD/LOVE definitely fits the season and fills the Halloween bill for a dazzling vampire binge production.
Carey Sharpe – Photo by Ross Catterton
Directed and produced by Daniel LeClaire (Book of Mormon, Hairspray) BLOOD/LOVE was originally produced in 2022 at The Howard in Oshkosh, Wisconsin (hometown theater to Sharpe, LeClair, and Boehme). In 2024, the concert version of BLOOD/LOVE played to a sold-out house at Joe’s Pub in the Public Theatre in New York City. To quote writer and producer Carey Sharpe: “Everybody loves vampires. They’re always popular: they’re sexy, they’re cool. And they are ultimately human, or they at least were human. This is about when the conundrums of life are enlarged by having to negotiate a life going on forever – the amplification of human nature.” Now BLOOD/LOVE comes to Hollywood in 2024.
Rissel Peguero, Alexander J. Brown, and Yaina Peguero – Photo by Ross Catterton
BLOOD/LOVE tells the haunting tale of Valerie Bloodlove (Carey Sharpe), who has lived for thousands of years and hundreds of incarnations. But now life feels empty and dreary for the wandering, lonely vampire. For Valerie is the original vampire, Satan’s former queen, condemned to wander the earth for eternity. Even her devilish vampire companions, Cleo (Erin Boehme) and Demetrius (Cam Anthony, winner of The Voice, season 20), cannot rekindle her appetite for living in the immortal shadows, her new form of hell.
Oksana Platero and Jonathan Platero – Photo by Ross Catterton
Then along comes a mortal rock superstar named Anzick (Brennin Hunt); and everything is about to change. Suddenly things don’t look so grim any longer, and the two just seem to click in every way. But wait – for even eternal life isn’t all roses. As it turns out, Anzick made a bargain with the devil to exchange his soul for success and stardom. All of a sudden, Satan and hell are back in the picture, and Valerie is forced to choose between love and survival.
Oksana Platero, Jonathan Platero, Pauler Lam, and Magdalena Fialek – Photo by Ross Catterton
BLOOD/LOVE is a surreal journey into dark shadows and dazzling bursts of light as the principals’ lyrics and fluid body movements tell the story. The Crimson is probably the perfect venue for BLOOD/LOVE, given its history and reputation – and its propensity for glowing red lights. The dancers are a limber, boneless bunch who seem to float above the earth; and the singers have strong and equally limber voices. Even if you’re not into vampires and devils, you can’t help but enjoy the creative use of light and shadow, voice and movement, melody and lyrics.
Oksana Platero and Jonathan Platero – Photo by Ross Catterton
BLOOD/LOVE runs through November 2, 2024, with performances at 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays with an additional Halloween party on Wednesday, October 30, at 8 p.m. The Crimson is located at 6356 Hollywood Blvd., First Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90028. Tickets are $59 (with VIP seating available). For information and reservations, go online.
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