Darius Rose Will Star in Industry Presentation of Rock Musical Vlad and the Impalers

This new Marc Erdahi-Ben Shooter musical re-frames the infamous 15-century prince as a misunderstood figure with a branding problem.

March 10, 2026 By Logan Culwell-Block

Weird Noises Media Group will hold an industry reading of a new rock musical Vlad and the Impalers at the Laurie Beechman Theatre March 16-17. The work is written by Marc Erdahi with music by Ben Shooter. Erdahi is also directing.

The performances will star Darius Rose (RuPaul's Drag Race) as Vlad the Impaler, Michelle Dowdy (Hairspray) as Justina, and Dan J. Hoy (Pirates!) as Radu, along with Oscar Williams (Fun Home) as Dragos, Sydney Reed de Leon as Zeleksa, Aaron J. Albano (Newsies) as Jorg, Riley Ewing as Matthias, Josh Zacher (The Prom) as Wulfram, Alex Schecter (The Office! A Musical Parody) as Pious, Samy Cordero as Cinnamon, Rhiannon Cosette as Clove, and Hannah Bonnett (The Five) as Nutmeg.

The comedy re-imagines the infamous and murdering 15th-century prince as a royal with a branding problem whose image consultant and accidental wife gets him to enter the pan-European BohemiaVision Song Contest to rehabilitate his reputation. Press notes describe the work as "part rock concert, part political satire, and part deeply unhinged family therapy session."

Husani Oakley is producing and serving as general manager.

Industry professionals interested in attending the invite-only performances can email [email protected].