How do long-held prejudicial beliefs show up in a popular novel from England written at the turn of the twentieth century, and in what ways do those beliefs still operate today? To what extent can perceptions of antisemitism, racism, and xenophobia be deemed as accurate and true, and how much is in the eye of the beholder?

In theatre dybbuk’s next project, the company investigates Bram Stoker’s Dracula, weaving together its unique blend of historical investigation and heightened theatricality to create a new work from the core of the novel. This is the second in a series of “Annotated” productions in which theatre dybbuk explodes and explores classic or well-known and culturally influential works to disrupt more familiar or comfortable ways of engaging with them.

This event will consist of approximately 85 minutes of performed readings from the in-process work accompanied by music and will be followed by a discussion with the audience. 

A pre-show introduction will be given by Leslie S. Klinger.

theatre dybbuk creates provocative new works that blend physical theatre with poetry and music for exciting, utterly singular live events. The company explores the rich world of Jewish history, building lyrical performances that illuminate universal human experience for contemporary audiences. With an in-depth development process that can range from a few months to three years, Artistic Director Aaron Henne builds each piece with a cast of dedicated professional actors, designers, musicians, and scholars. The resulting works, from the dark and visceral dance theatre of cave… a dance for lilith to the shadowy and immersive hell prepared: a ritual exorcism inspired by kabbalistic principles, performed within a dominant cultural context, are challenging and beautiful to behold.

Leslie S. Klinger is considered to be one of the world’s foremost authorities on Sherlock Holmes, Dracula, H.P. Lovecraft, Frankenstein, Jekyll and Hyde, and the history of crime and horror fiction. He is serving (again) as Chapter President of the SoCal Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America and on its National Board. He also served for ten years as the Treasurer of the Horror Writers Association. He co-edited The Haunted Library, a series of eight horror classics published by the HWA, and is currently the editor of the 18-volume Library of Congress Crime Classics series, a partnership of the Library of Congress and Poisoned Pen Press/Sourcebooks. He has taught several courses on Holmes and Dracula at UCLA Extension.