BLOOD/LOVE Extends Off-Broadway Run

The vampire pop opera BLOOD/LOVE has extended its Off-Broadway run, ensuring that New York audiences can experience this immersive theatrical event for a longer period than originally planned. The production, which officially opened on March 3, 2026, at Theater 555 in Manhattan, was scheduled for a limited engagement through late March but has now been extended through May 10, adding six additional weeks to its run.

BLOOD/LOVE is part of a growing wave of genre-blending musicals that mix elements of concert-style performance, immersive staging and narrative storytelling. Designed to feel like both an opera and a pop concert, the show combines a pulsing contemporary score with a dramatic supernatural storyline that focuses on love, identity and the quest for meaning beyond bloodshed.

The creative forces behind BLOOD/LOVE include director Hunter Bird, who gained recognition for his work on MASQUERADE, the immersive Off-Broadway revival of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Bird’s direction for BLOOD/LOVE leans into spectacle and atmospheric staging, presenting the story within the setting of a sultry nightclub called THE CRIMSON.
The musical was written by Carey Sharpe and Dru DeCaro, the latter a Grammy-nominated musician whose influence can be felt in the show’s contemporary, genre-hybrid soundtrack. Sharpe also stars in the lead role, portraying Valerie Bloodlove, the world’s first vampire. Valerie’s tale occupies the centre of BLOOD/LOVE’s narrative.

For thousands of years, Valerie ruled the night as queen of the undead. In the world of BLOOD/LOVE, she now searches for deeper purpose after centuries of wandering through eternal darkness. Her search leads her to cross paths with a mortal who has his own enigmatic secret, and their connection sets in motion a tension between everlasting existence and the desire for transformation.

Set against atmospheric lighting and an evocative design that evokes both gothic allure and contemporary nightlife, the show’s story unfolds through a series of songs that blend pop sensibilities with operatic flair. The music and performances are designed to appeal to fans of both traditional musical theatre and modern concert-style productions.

The cast of BLOOD/LOVE is large and diverse, bringing a variety of vocal and dance talent to the stage. Alongside Sharpe, performers in the ensemble include Christopher M. Ramirez, Brooke Simpson, Zephaniah Wages, Andrew Avila, Malik Bilbrew, Nya, Jonathan Platero, Oksana Platero, Erika Zade, Tre’ Booker, Kailin Brown, Victoria Byrd, Coleman Cummings, Marcquet Hill, Ava Noble, Morgan Reilly, Aliya Rose, Taylor Marie Scott and Jazz Washington. Leading creative and casting support was provided by Peter Dunn and Benton Whitley of Whitley Theatrical.

Choreography plays an important role in shaping BLOOD/LOVE’s kinetic energy. The show features movement by Jonathan Platero and Oksana Platero, both known for their work on television dance competitions including DANCING WITH THE STARS and SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, as well as Natalie Malotke. This combination of theatrical staging and physical performance contributes to the production’s immersive, cinematic feel.

Music supervision is handled by Matt Hinkley, known for his work on THE OUTSIDERS, while Ben Covello serves as music director. The technical design team includes an array of award-winning artists: set design by Jason Ardizzone-West (JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR LIVE), lighting design by Japhy Weideman (THE HEARTV OF ROCK N ROLL), sound design by Jessica Paz (HADESTOWN), projection design by 59 Studio (STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW), and prop design by Lauren Page Russell (OUR TOWN). Costumes were designed by Alex and Juli Abene.

The original run of BLOOD/LOVE was announced in late 2025 as part of the vibrant Off-Broadway season, with previews beginning on February 13 and the official opening set for early March. The production quickly garnered attention for its unique blending of pop music and operatic expression, its engaging story and its ambitious creative team.

Extending an Off-Broadway show’s run is a notable achievement. Off-Broadway productions often operate on tight schedules and limited engagements, and extensions typically indicate strong ticket sales, positive audience response or heightened industry interest. With its new closing date now in May, BLOOD/LOVE will have a longer period to attract visitors from both the local New York theatre community and tourists seeking fresh theatrical experiences.

BLOOD/LOVE joins a long tradition of vampire-themed stage works, though few have taken as bold a musical approach. Vampires have long appeared in literature and on stage dating back centuries, including classic adaptations such as DRACULA and later musical productions like LESTAT on Broadway. What makes BLOOD/LOVE distinctive is its contemporary score and nightclub setting, which position the aged vampire protagonist in a tale that is as much about self-discovery as it is about the supernatural.

Audience members who attend BLOOD/LOVE can expect an experience that blends dramatic storytelling, high-energy musical numbers and evocative visual design. It is built to appeal not only to fans of traditional theatre but also to those interested in musical innovation and genre crossovers that push the boundaries of conventional stage fare.

With its extended run now confirmed, BLOOD/LOVE is positioned as one of the standout Off-Broadway events of early 2026. Its longer engagement gives theatre-goers more time to be drawn into the seductive world of Valerie Bloodlove, and it highlights the ongoing evolution of Off-Broadway as a space for bold stories and ambitious creative collaboration.