By Ben Lerner
Broadway’s Best Shows caught an exclusive sneak peek of the upcoming Off-Broadway vampire pop opera Blood/Love — and it’s sure to entice lovers of musical theatre and sexy vampires alike.
Directed by Hunter Bird, who recently helmed Masquerade (the popular immersive reimagining of The Phantom of the Opera), Blood/Love begins previews at Theater 555 on February 13 before opening March 3. The limited run will close March 29, 2026. The pop opera was written by Grammy-nominated songwriter Dru DeCaro with leading lady Cary Renee Sharpe, who plays Valerie Bloodlove, the world’s first vampire. Her costars include The Voice finalist Brooke Simpson and Christopher M. Ramirez (Real Women Have Curves) as Anzick, a mysterious mortal musician who changes everything for Valerie.
Bird mentioned inspirations for the “highly theatrical, sleek visual production” ranged from Lady Gaga’s Mayhem tour to Doechii’s performance style to the work of artist James Turrell. The musical numbers we watched did not disappoint. Sharpe, in particular, brought the house down channeling Gaga, alongside an ensemble of dancers, with a catchy, synthy pop-rock anthem aptly called “Just Beyond The Pale.”
Bird said Blood/Love is largely set at The Crimson Club — which evokes “Studio 54 by way of Bushwick.” If that tantalizes you, or even if you’re just a fan of pop operas, True Blood, or Twilight, get tickets here to sink your teeth into the limited Off-Broadway run of Blood/Love: https://bloodlove.com/tickets/.