Private Project

The Vampire's Kiss in the Plague of 1666

Robert Boyle, a luminary of London's Royal Society, searches for a cure during the plague of 1666, helped in his work by the famed science writer Margaret Cavendish. They feel that they need to drain the diarist Samuel Pepys of blood to achieve this medical breakthrough, but, fortunately for Sam, a halfling vampire named Vlad intervenes with a delightful kiss. A happy ending is enjoyed by all at the Hellfire Club as the Zoom film draws to a close.

  • Karen Eterovitch
    Director
  • James Fitzmaurice
    Writer
  • Frank Farrell
    Producer
  • Sean Anglin
    Key Cast
    "Vlad"
    Sean Anglin (Vlad) is a Zoom-based actor and comedian who physically resides and formerly acted in the greater New York City area. His favorite lines, opens the play and sets the tone: “When you get to be more than 350 years old, you’re allowed to talk to yourself.”
  • Karen Eterovitch
    Key Cast
    "Margaret Cavendish"
    See director's bio.
  • Frank Farrell
    Key Cast
    "Robert Boyle"
    While in Chicago he directed and produced plays for Free Shakespeare Theatre Company, Temporary Theatre, Shakespeare’s Herd, Steppenwolf Theater, Raven Theatre, Equity Library Theater, the North Lakeside Players and Theatre-Hikes. For Citadel Theatre in Lake Forest, IL he directed outdoor productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, As You Like It, Spoon River Anthology, Romeo and Juliet and Scapin.
  • Denise Alessandria Hurd
    Key Cast
    "Elizabeth Pepys"
    Denise Alessandria Hurd (AEA, SAG-AFTRA) (Elizabeth Pepys) has worked as an actor, a teacher, a director and a fight choreographer. She has appeared in regional theatres in such shows as The Play’s the Thing, Defying Gravity, Innocent Diversions, and Othello.
  • Julia Morgantini
    Key Cast
    "Betty Turner"
    Julia is an actor, director, writer, and singer. Currently studying voice with Jane Olian at Juilliard/Evening Division. Her acting credits include Pride and Prejudice, Mrs. Reynolds/Mrs. Phyllips; Romeo and Juliet, Lady Capulet; The Taming of the Shrew, Bapista; A Midsummer Night's Dream, Peaseblossom; The Misanthrope, Clitandra; Trojan Women. juliamorgantini.com
  • Richard Width
    Key Cast
    "Samuel Peyps"
    Richard has performed and directed with the Mermaid Theater, Texas Shakespeare Festival, Rebel Shakespeare Company, Orlando Theater Project, RS&C Productions, Shakespeare on the Fly
  • Brandon Jones, Sound Design and Sound Editing
    Technical
    Brandon Jones (Sound Editor & Design Vampire Kiss) recent credits include Meet you in the Galaxy Diner (co-production The Tank and New Light Theater Project) and TransAtlantic Tales (AboutFace Ireland). IG: @therealboogiejones Facebook: Brandon Jones
  • Frank Farrell, Editor
    Technical
  • Abby Farber
    Stage Manager
    Abby Farber is overjoyed to be working in the performing arts after a long hiatus spent working with government and nonprofits. In the 1980's she was a stage manager for several Chicago-area theatres. She's happy to be reunited with many artists from Chicago who are appearing in First Flight Theatre productions.
  • Project Type:
    Experimental
  • Runtime:
    29 minutes 52 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 22, 2021
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Zoom
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Karen Eterovitch

Karen Eterovich (AEA, SAG-AFTRA) Directing projects for First Flight Theatre Company: A Vampire Kiss in the Plague of 1666 by James Fitzmaurice and Letter to Jackie by Maxwell Anderson. American Thighs by Gary Giovannetti for Blue Roses at the Samuel French Festival, She Stoops to Conquer and Romeo & Juliet for Bergen Community College, Pierced Wings by Richard Cottrell for TSI Playtime Series New York City, Aphra Behn’s The Widow Ranter for the Juggernaut Theatre Company, Aphra Behn: Scenes for Women and Virgin for Cosmic Leopard Productions and the TRU Reading Series and Bubble Trouble for the Indianapolis Shakespeare Festival. Her two own one-woman shows, Love Arm’d, Aphra Behn & Her Pen and Cheer from Chawton, A Jane Austen Family Theatrical have been performed nationally and internationally including the Bedlam Theatre in Edinburgh, Scotland and the Mission Theatre in Bath, England. MFA in Acting from the University of South Carolina, additional studies: with members of the National Theatre of Great Britain and an internship at the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, DC.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I am delighted to have been able to direct this "Zoomie" of A "Vampire Kiss" because of my long-standing relationship with 17th Century history and personages. In 1994, I created a play about the English woman novelist, poet, and playwright Aphra Behn. In 1996 I began touring that play to theatres, colleges and universities. I have performed "Love Arm'd, Aphra Behn & Her Pen" nationally and internationally for more than 20 years. The creation and performance of the play involved lengthy study of the 17th Century. I was also Artistic Associate with the First Flight Theatre in the live Zoom theatre version of "Vampire Kiss" that was produced as a benefit for Broadway Cares Equity Fight Aids during the COVID lockdown.