By Ed Kaufman

A stylized blend of German expressionism, commedia dell'arte, magic realism and original music, "Nosferatu: Angel of the Final Hour" -- as performed/produced by the Zoo District -- is compelling, innovative, wall-to-wall theater.

Written by Kaaren J. Luker (with additional material written by nine others in the company), and with choreography by Brian Freete, costumes by Patrice Pitman-Quinn, lighting by Peter Smith and original music by Jef Bek (with input from five others), "Nosferatu" is very much a collaboration of the Zoo District company's effort "to create daring and original work."

And it's certainly daring and original as Zoo District tells its unique version of early German pioneer filmmaker-director F.W. Murnau as he was shooting his immortal 1921 vampire silent film "Nosferatu," based loosely on Bram Stoker's "Dracula."

Under the skilled direction of Jon Kellam, the worlds of Murnau and his creation are fused. Suddenly, the landscape/dreamscape and life/art become one as we traverse Murnau's dreams, memories and reflections during the last few minutes of his troubled life.

We first see Murnau (D Morris) as a filmmaker directing Jonathan Harker (Joe Fria) and his cinematic fiancee Mina (Jenna Fischer) in a stylized version of "Nosferatu."

Suddenly, we cut to the Cafe Fini, a Bohemian haunt frequented by Murnau and poet Hans Degele (Peter Alton), Murnau's true love; poetess Else Lasker-Schuler (Christine Deaver); a Gypsy fortune teller connected to the Other World (K.B. Dulude); American producer William Fox (Antony Sandoval); the prostitute City Girl (Kelly Lynn Doherty); and a young man played by Graham Jackson.

Overseeing all is the Chanteuse (Pitman-Quinn), singer-owner of the Cafe Fini.

Cut to Transylvania, domain of the vampire Nosferatu (Michael Childers), his faithful servant Renfield (Loren Rubin) and an Angel on a trapeze (Becky Wahlstrom). And, of course, there's vampire slayer Dr. Van Helsing (Ben Simonetti).

All of the elements -- the fact/fiction and dreams/realities -- are brought together with skill and dexterity by an extraordinary ensemble.

NOSFERATU: ANGEL OF THE FINAL HOUR
Presented by the Zoo District
Creators: KJ Luker, Jon Kellam & Bernadette Sullivan
Director: Jon Kellam
Original music and lyrics: Jef Bek
Choreographer: Brian Freete
Production designer: Michael Franco
Costume designer: Patrice Pitman-Quinn
Lighting designer: Peter Smith
Set designers: Rick Paladino, Michael Franco
Sound designers: Jef Bek, Eric Snodgrass, J Warner
Cast: F.W. Murnau: D Morris
Nosferatu: Michael Childers
Hans: Peter Alton
Else Lasker-Schuler: Christine Deaver
William Fox: Antony Sandoval
Jonathan Harker: Joe Fria
Mina: Jenna Fischer
Renfield: Loren Rubin
Dr. Van Helsing: Ben Simonetti
Chanteuse: Patrice Pitman-Quinn
City Girl: Kelly Lynn Doherty
Charlie/Spiess: Graham Jackson
Angel: Becky Wahlstrom
Gypsy: K.B. Dulude