Musical thriller ‘Bluebeard’s Castle’ is dark sequel to
medieval fairy tale in American premiere at Odyssey Theatre
LOS ANGELES (September 16, 2025) — Odyssey Theatre Ensemble presents the American premiere of Bluebeard’s Castle, a dark musical thriller inspired by a medieval French fairy tale. Written and directed by Sofia Streisand and featuring music by Sergey Rubalsky and Artem Petaykin; lyrics by Elena Hanpira; and choreography by Irina Lyahovskaya, this horror-infused romance makes its English language debut following runs in Russia, Serbia, Montenegro and France. Performances take place at West L.A.’s Odyssey Theatre from November 1 through November 23, with a “special event” preview set for Halloween, on October 31.
The long years of war are over, and the towns and villages lie in ruins. The air is filled with the wails of widows and mothers in mourning, but also with the peal of wedding bells as a young girl is married off to a war hero with a wicked past — it’s rumored that his previous wives were killed or buried alive in his castle. Who would give a girl to be the bride of a monster? Casey Burke (Blackbird at Rogue Machine), Shannon Lee Clair (The Winter’s Tale, Top Girls at Antaeus) and Nathan Mohebbi (The Boy from Oz, Die Mommie Die! at Celebration Theater) star in this tragic romance of deceit, murder, blood and forbidden chambers. It’s not a performance for the faint of heart.
“Bluebeard is a tale from the past that speaks urgently to the crises of today,” says Streisand. “The cycle of violence is endless and deeply destructive for all parties involved. Be it domestic abuse in the home or international conflict, there is never a winner.”
La Barbe Bleue (“The Blue Beard”), a French folk tale about a wealthy nobleman who murders his wives, was first published in written form by Charles Perrault in 1697. The legend can be traced back to real people such as Gilles de Rais, a military leader in the Hundred Years War who was later convicted as a serial killer, or Conomor the Accursed, a Celtic ruler of Brittany who murdered his predecessor as well as his wives.
Bluebeard’s Castle features songs adapted to English by Nancy Magarill and Terra Naomi. The atmospheric set design is by Mark Guirguis, with moody lighting by Leigh Allen and elaborate costumes by Elena Koriagina. Casting is by Victoria Hoffman, and the stage manager is Katie Chabot. Sofia Streisand and Beth Hogan produce.
Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Streisand headed the production department at the Mikhailovksy Opera Theatre, the second largest opera house in St. Petersburg. She directed numerous operas, festivals and galas, including the 250th Anniversary gala concert of the State Hermitage Museum, featuring Anna Netrebko, Ildar Abdrazakov and Barbara Frittoli among others, which was broadcast internationally on Channel Mezzo. Streisand has interned and worked at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, the L.A. Opera in Los Angeles, and the Komische Oper in Berlin, leaning on her international career to pioneer musical theater in Russia, a relatively new genre for the Russian stage. A few of her directing credits include The Master and Margarita, based on the famous Russian novel by Mikhail Bulgakov, which remains one of the most successful musicals in Russia, running at different venues with full houses for more than 12 years; Oscar and the Pink Lady; Onegin; and a new musical based on Alexander Pushkin’s masterpiece The Queen of Spades, which she also co-wrote and produced.
Founded in 1969 by Ron Sossi, a pioneer in the intimate theater movement who remained at the company’s helm for 56 years until his recent death on March 19 at the age of 85, the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble is one of Los Angeles’ most adventurous companies, offering world-class live theater experiences in its three-theater complex.
Bluebeard’s Castle features violence, gore and adult themes, and is recommended for ages 14 and up.
Performances take place on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. from November 1 through November 23, with one special Halloween preview set for Friday, Oct. 31 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $40, except for the preview which is $20. A $3 fee will be added if purchasing with a credit card. There will be two Pay–What–You–Can performances, on Friday, Nov. 7 and Friday, Nov. 14. The Odyssey Theatre is located at 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025.
For more information and to purchase tickets, call (310) 477-2055 or go to OdysseyTheatre.com.
Details for Calendar Listings
‘Bluebeard’s Castle’
WHAT:
Odyssey Theatre Ensemble presents the American premiere of Bluebeard’s Castle, a dark musical thriller inspired by a medieval French fairy tale. This horror-infused romance of deceit, murder, blood and forbidden chambers is not for the faint of heart! The long years of war are over, and the towns and villages lie in ruins. The air is filled with the wails of widows and mothers in mourning, but also with the peal of wedding bells as a young girl is married off to a war hero with a wicked past — it’s rumored that his previous wives were killed or buried alive in his castle. Who would give a girl to be the bride of a monster?
WHO:
• Written and Directed by Sofia Streisand
• Music by Sergey Rubalsky and Artem Petaykin
• Lyrics by Elena Hanpira
• Songs adapted to English by Nancy Magarill and Terra Naomi
• Choreography by Irina Lyahovskaya
• Starring Casey Burke, Shannon Lee Clair, Nathan Mohebbi
• Produced by Sofia Streisand
• Produced by Beth Hogan for Odyssey Theatre Ensemble
• Presented by Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, Beth Hogan, acting artistic director
WHEN:
Oct. 31 – Nov. 23
• Special Halloween preview performance: Friday, October 31 at 8 p.m.
• Regular Performances: Nov. 1 through Nov. 23
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. / Sundays at 2 p.m.
WHERE:
Odyssey Theatre
2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
TICKET PRICES:
• Performances: $40
• Halloween Preview: $20
• Pay–What–You–Can: Friday, Nov. 7 and Friday, Nov. 14
(A $3 fee will be added for each ticket if purchasing with a credit card.)
OTHER:
• Recommended for ages 14+ (violence, gore, adult themes)
HOW:
OdysseyTheatre.com
(310) 477-2055 ext. 2
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