"Elizabeth Bathory, the Blood Countess" dives into the 16th century to tell the grisly tale of a Hungarian noblewoman who, legend has it, is as steeped in blood as her predecessor, Vlad the Impaler—aka Dracula. It's a great idea for a story, but in this awkward outing, written by Stuart Creque and Bea Egeto, we're not given much to chew on besides the barest of plot points thrown at us in the shortest of scenes cobbled together with original music by Elon Arbiture. Egeto co-directs with Charlotte Bjornbak, who also plays the title character. Or rather, she's one of the actors playing the title character. The story is framed by a conversation with the now even more crazed countess (Leaha Boschen) years after she was imprisoned in her castle for her supposed crimes (historically, she was never tried nor officially convicted).
As promising as this conceit is, however, here it doesn't provide us with much depth, originality, or perspective. And though the actors commit wholeheartedly to the proceedings, without a clear dramatic vision we're confused and uncomfortable. And hungry.
Presented by Zombie Joe's Underground Theatre Group with B'z Shorts Productions at ZJU Underground Theatre, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. March 26–April 30. Sat., 8:30 p.m. (818) 202-4120 or www.zombiejoes.com.