Spanish ‘Dracula’ at LA Opera for the espooky season

If you’re looking for events to add to your calendar for this espooky season, consider the “Dracula” production that was filmed in Spanish in 1931, but not the one with Bela Lugosi. 

The story goes that while Lugosi was vamping it up in front of the cameras by day, a night crew shot an alternate version of “Dracula” in Spanish — same sets, same story, new cast. 

This second incarnation of the classic, starring Carlos Villarías, was largely forgotten until a recent renaissance, and many now hail it as the superior version.

See it on the big screen (with English subtitles) as Resident Conductor Lina González-Granados leads the LA Opera Orchestra in a live performance of a new LAO-commissioned score by Academy Award-winning composer Gustavo Santaolalla, who has produced many rock en español albums by bands like de Café Tacvba, Maldita Vecindad y Julieta Venegas. He has also composed for the show “The Last of Us” and “Brokeback Mountain” film. He will also be present as a guitar soloist.

Additional guest artists include accordionist Michael Ward-Bergeman, with live sound effects created by Foley artists Leslie Bloome and Ryan Collison.

The performance and film will be presented From Friday, October 25 to Sunday, October 27 at the United Theater on Broadway. 

For Saturday’s performance, the ticket also includes admission to The United Theater's Halloween Party. Dress up in your best costume and stay after the performance to dance the spookies away with DJ Phyzed.