ICYMI: A Vampire Love Story Set to the Music of Paula Abdul

You know how sometimes, when it’s last call and you’ve had one (four?) too many Sidecars, you and your friends will decide it would be amaaaaazing if they turned, say, Alf into a Broadway musical? 

Straight-Up Vampire (full title: Paula Abdul's Straight Up Vampire: A Gothic Political Romance or the History of Vampires in Colonial Pennsylvania as Performed to the Music of Paula Abdul) was born, we presume, of just such a night. As the name (or that photo up there) suggests, it’s a mashup of music from Paula Abdul’s seminal 1988 debut record and vampires. Even better, it’s set in 1763 Philadelphia. And it’s a love story: Young Quaker lass Paula Abdul Blackwood must follow her parents’ wishes into a loveless arranged marriage, but her heart lies with political rabble-rouser (and vampire!) Jack Sheridan. As fractious parties debate the colony’s future and Benjamin Franklin vies with MC Skat Kat for power in the Assembly, will true love conquer all? (Bonus: Ex-Polyphonic Spree-er and local cult musician Corn-Mo plays Franklin.) 

After a few foray shows in the spring and summer, this experiment returns to Joe’s Pub this weekend, just in time for Halloween. The book's by Nick Jones, Zak Vreeland and Peter James Cook; music is performed by Dr Steam Whipple and the Prescriptions.  

Straight Up Vampire @ Joe’s Pub, Friday 10/29, 11:30PM; Saturday 10/30, 9PM; Sunday, 10/31 7PM. $15.

--EB

What I'm listening to: Henriette - Lake Street Dive

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