Off Broadway Theatre Co. productions almost always involve lots of improvised comedy bits, song parodies, slapstick humor and a mash-up of cultural references. Their latest show at Draper Historic Theatre, "Dracula vs. The Hunchback," includes all of these elements and more. The production, which runs from Oct. 6 to 28 inserts Count Dracula into the story of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" with zany results.

"What's so much fun is that Off Broadway Theatre Co. will take a show you already know and give it a funny twist that makes it even more fun to watch," Krystal Funk said. Funk is one of the actors who plays the bewitching gypsy Esmerelda.

"Everybody in the show is a goofball in their own way," actor Tristan Mouritsen said. "It's slapstick comedy from beginning to end."

The plot involves Dracula pretending to be a magistrate in order to feed on the gypsies of Paris. He has his eye on Esmerelda as a potential snack. Esmerelda is also pursued romantically by the dashing but somewhat slow-witted Captain of the Guard, Phoebus, and the hunchbacked cathedral bell-ringer, Quasimodo.

Putting a comedic spin on characters from the genres of horror and drama takes special skill. As Quasimodo, Daniel Peckham is embracing the role. "He's so sad and beaten down," Peckham said of the character. "But at the same time I have to make him likeable." He added, "It's actually really fun to play a character so completely different from myself. It's fun to do a character that is more serious but does funny things."

Having to be physically hunched over throughout the show can be hard too, but Peckham, who has a background in ballet, is having a ball. "This is one of those experiences where you'll be able to tell that everyone on stage is having fun," he said.

Director and Off Broadway Theatre Co. co-founder Eric Jensen has been honing his comic take on Dracula for years. He explained that while Dracula is “an unredeemable bloodsucker,” he finds comedy in imagining how a vampire manages everyday tasks like finding a good assistant or brushing his teeth.

"Basically, he's a nice guy vampire who deals with the problems I might have to deal with. He's how I would be if I were a vampire," Jensen said.

Logan Rogan, who has performed in Off Broadway Theatre Co. shows since the company's earlier years in Salt Lake City, said, "Eric Jensen as Dracula is one of the funniest performances you'll see on a Utah stage."

Rogan plays Phoebus, the Captain of the Guard. "In my opinion, 'Dracula vs. The Hunchback' is the best show we've done. I'm excited to see it back," he said. The play, written by Jensen and Bob Bedore, was first presented in 1996.

The show has evolved since then. Jensen pointed out that “Dracula vs. The Hunchback” changes with every performance due to the element of improvisation. “We make living theater, there’s something happening on stage that is really happening, it’s not rehearsed,” he said. “The plot is a little different every night.”

Improvisational acting requires skill, timing and a good imagination. Aimee McPhie, who plays the role of a gypsy witch, said, “I’ve never done an Off Broadway Theatre Co. show I didn’t enjoy. It’s always pushing my limits and challenging me. I have grown so much as a performer.”

The youngest actors in the cast are building their acting skills as well. “I like playing a lot of different personalities. It’s really cool,” Carson North said. The 11 year old plays Pierre, a peasant boy who tries to talk some sense into the other characters.

The actors’ enthusiasm is contagious. Kasey Capanna, who plays the squire Vaughn Helsing, encouraged people to come see the show. “Come and forget about life for a couple of hours,” he said. “You’ll have a good time.”

“Dracula vs. The Hunchback” will be presented at Draper Historic Theatre on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 6 through 28. Draper Historic Theatre is located at 12366 S. 900 East. For tickets visit theobt.org. λ