Hercules vs Vampires Los Angeles 2026: Halloween Event Guide
LA Opera pairs Mario Bava’s cult film with live singers and orchestra on October 30–31. Plan your visit, including the Halloween contest and venue-policy checks.
Hercules vs Vampires Los Angeles 2026 brings a cult movie, live singers and an orchestra together for Halloween weekend. LA Opera will present the production at the United Theater on Broadway on October 30 and 31, with both performances beginning at 8 p.m.
For moviegoers curious about opera, the format offers a different entry point: a familiar screen becomes the partner of live performers rather than the sole source of sound. This guide draws on official production and venue information, not firsthand attendance or a review.
Hercules vs Vampires Los Angeles 2026: what is the show?
As LA Opera explains in its October 7 announcement, Mario Bava’s 1961 film Hercules in the Haunted World plays while musicians and singers perform Patrick Morganelli’s score in synchronization with the action. Reg Park appears on screen as Hercules, opposite Christopher Lee as Lycos.
Morganelli adapted the film’s dialogue for singing. Originally commissioned by Opera Theater Oregon, the work premiered in 2010. He subsequently revised it for LA Opera’s 2015 presentation, including reorchestration for nine singers and a 26-piece ensemble.
For the upcoming performances, Blair Salter conducts members of the LA Opera Orchestra. The announced vocal cast includes Joel Balzun as Hercules, Alexis Seminario as Dianara, Gabriel Manro as Lycos and Roy Hage as Theseus.
The format also gives film enthusiasts a specific listening exercise: notice how a live vocal phrase aligns with an on-screen gesture, and how a musical entrance redirects attention. That is a suggested way to engage with the event, not a claim about the interpretation audiences will hear.
Dates, location and ticket planning
The current production page lists a 75-minute running time without an intermission, sung in English with subtitles. The October 31 ticket includes a Halloween afterparty and costume contest; that extra program is not listed for October 30.
The venue’s own calendar confirms both dates and identifies its address as 929 South Broadway, Los Angeles. Follow the official performance links to inspect available seats and current checkout prices. A published date or ticket link does not guarantee that a particular section remains available.
For another upcoming production from the same company, see Hollywood Weekly’s Scott Bakula and LA Opera Candide guide.
The Halloween costume contest
LA Opera advertises a $10,000 first prize. Its posted rules require contestants to be at least 18, register at entry, complete a release and remain at the afterparty to win. Costumes must be handmade or modified by at least 30 percent, rather than entirely store-bought.
Judging considers craftsmanship, creativity and presentation. Full-face masks and real, replica or prop weapons are prohibited. Costumes must fit a standard theater seat without obstructing other patrons. Read the complete rules before building or transporting an entry; the prize is a judged award, not a guaranteed benefit of admission.
Check the venue policies before leaving
The theater’s Plan Ahead page states that there is no re-entry, coat check or bag check, and transactions are cashless. It identifies 7th St/Metro Center as the nearest Metro station. Accessibility questions can be directed to info@theunitedtheater.com.
The venue’s history and facilities page describes its past as a movie palace, concert venue and place of worship. Its continuing use for film and performance makes the location a relevant part of this hybrid presentation, not just an address on a ticket.
One discrepancy deserves attention: LA Opera’s event rules allow bags up to 12 by 12 inches, while the theater’s general policy limits them to 5 inches tall, 9 inches long and 2 inches wide. Confirm the event-specific restriction with the venue before arriving, especially if a costume requires carrying accessories.
The simplest planning approach is to choose your date first, decide whether the afterparty matters to your group, then check admission and costume requirements together. That keeps the live performance at the center of the evening without leaving practical questions until the door.