Castle Theatre
CASTLE DRACULA
(Friday 13 June 1980 - January 31st 1983)
RIP: Tommy Baker (1952 - 2008). Tommy originated the role of Dracula in this show, and passed on at the age of 56 of a heart attack.
This show was the first in the newly enclosed Castle Theatre (now home to Fear Factor Live). As The Land of a Thousand Faces make-up show was so successful, but was in an open-air arena, Universal management (Jay Stein & Terry Winnick) decided to build walls and a roof on the arena, and asked Verne Langdon to create a new show to take advantage of the space. The greater control over lighting and sound meant the show could be more atmospheric and complex.
As well as Dracula and Igor his assistant, the show featured animatronic Eric the Phantom of the Opera and a wolf. Guests in the park were selected from the queue to be made-up as Frankenstein's Monster, his Bride and the Wolf Man.
The animatronic Phantom of the Opera was originally voiced by Paul Lynde, but was revoiced shortly after the run started as the voice was too recognisably his.
The Dracula character wore a replica of the ring worn by Bela Lugosi in the classic 1931 Universal horror.
The 20 minute performance cost $3 million (at 1980 prices) and ran up to twelve times daily.
The final performance was on January 31st 1983 after which Conan: Sword & Sorcery Spectacular took up residence.
Many thanks to Verne Langdon for additional information.
More information
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Lighting Dimensions article (1980) - 3Mb PDF (now with color photos)
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Photo Scrapbook 2 - NEW
