Dracula looks set to close on 9 Jan

The Off-Broadway revival of Bram Stoker's Dracula, which was selling tickets through to 13 Mar 2011, is now only selling through to 9 Jan 2011, which suggests the show is to close on that date.

Dracula, directed by Paul Alexander, opened at The Little Shubert Theatre on 5 Jan 2011, following previews 14 Dec 2010.

The show opened to mosty poor notices: "This comically creaky production, ..., makes the material feel about as immortal as a fruit fly. (NY Times); Elaborately tacky, unintentionally hilarious and totally bloodless (NY Daily News); Woefully inept drama (NY Post); A rotten incarnation of the 1927 vampire thriller (Newsroom New Jersey).

Dracula is played by Michel Altieri, an Italian actor who has appeared in Italy in such shows as 'Rent' and 'Beauty and The Beast.' He is making his American stage debut.

The cast also features George Hearn (Abraham Van Helsing), Emily Bridges (Lucy Seward), Jake Silbermann (Jonathan Harker), John Buffalo Mailer (Renfield), Timothy Jerome (Dr. Seward), Katharine Luckinbill (Miss Wells) and Rob O'Hare (Butterworth).

Dracula, written by Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston, is based on the classic Gothic drama about the power of seduction and the nature of true love.

When the mysterious Count Dracula takes an interest in the beautiful, young Lucy who suffers from horrific dreams and a strange illness, he arouses the suspicions of her fiancé Jonathan Harker and Professor Abraham van Helsing. Following a series of grisly murders and unexplained occurrences, the men fear Dracula may be one of the undead that prowls the darkness and preys upon innocent souls.

Dracula features scenic design by Dana Kenn, lighting design by Brian Nason, costume design by Willa Kim, sound design by Chris DelVecchio and special effects by Greg Meeh.

Adapted by Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston, Dracula premiered in New York in 1927, starring Bela Lugosi. It was last seen on Broadway in 1977, starring Frank Langella. Winning two Tony Awards, including Best Revival, the production ran for more than 900 performances and inspired the 1979 film adaptation featuring Langella and Sir Laurence Olivier.

Dracula is produced by Bram Stoker's Dracula LLC, Tony Travis, George and Donna Shipley, Ed Bankole, Megan Barnett, Leslie Evers, Michael Alden, and Carolyn Bechtel.