I survived a Dinner with the Vampire, Apparition’s newest dinner theater experience

Photo by Dawn Higgins

Attending a dinner hosted by bloodthirsty vampires may not be the smartest way to spend an evening, but these creatures have become very skilled at seducing mortals into trying it out anyways.

Apparition has partnered with Cascade Hotel for a limited run of Dinner with the Vampire: A Tale of Kansas City, a theatrical dinner experience that blends vampire legends from around the globe with KC’s hidden secrets, all presented in a sexy, dramatic fashion.

A Renfield-esque attendant delivers guests to their tables and encourages them to dig into the food and drink: “You are what you eat, so please, eat well.” The room is dark and shadowy, with only red lighting cast onto the space. A long table bisects the room, laden with platters of finger food, bottles of wine, and electric candles for soft illumination. The back wall features special booth seating for VIP guests, complete with a personal board of bites and wine. Before the show starts, the evening’s hosts make their way around the room, getting to know their guests and preparing them for the evening ahead.

The Vampire’s Feast ($130 per guest) offered a grazing, charcuterie-style array of foods with crackers, bread, meats, and cheeses, plus a bottle of Smith & Hook red wine. I was tempted into joining the Vampire’s Inner Circle ($169 per guest) and was offered a choice between an espresso martini and a rum punch. I went with the martini—I needed as much caffeine as I could get to keep me on my toes in the company of the undead.

The vampire host of the night, Jareth (James Liggett), invited us to his table and told us his mournful story of love and loss. His lover, Bellatryx (Bella Garman), was also in attendance, hoping to finally be turned into a creature of the night alongside him. As Jareth orated about his own history, he also introduced his guests to the legends of vampires of old, like the Abhartach from Ireland and Mercy Brown of Rhode Island. He paces around the long table as he speaks, like a buzzard circling his next meal. Bellatryx giggles coquettishly, following behind him with blood-red heart eyes. Jareth also tells the audience the history of the tunnels beneath West Bottoms, caverns that once led cattle to their doom. Though they’re no longer used for this purpose, something sinister may still reside there.

The Vampire Prince Casper (Dominique Evans) interrupts with his own history lessons, reading from a tome about creatures like the Ashanti Region’s Asanbosam and the Cherokee Spearfinger. He grows angry when Jareth is flippant with their ancient stories, and he tells more about vampiric creatures from countries and cultures outside Europe.

Supporting performers added to the mystique, like Mack Grimes on the cello, Galaxzee (Elizabeth Phillips) performing illuminated flow art with LED poi, and Bellatryx enchanting another guest with a burlesque dance. Mikah Blakemore, The Pitch’s own Best Local Actor of 2026, will join the cast, and Lisa Sweet will play violin on October 23, 24, and 30, with Rachel Burman taking over on October 31.

This intimate and interactive dinner experience was unearthly and enticing. I’m not sure how we got away with our lives by the end of the night. If you’re willing to risk the temptation yourself, Jareth will be hosting Dinner with the Vampire on October 23-24 and 30-31. Bring your appetite, and hope that they can sway theirs.

Photo by River Louraine

While the tickets are at a steeper price point than I’m used to, I felt this was a delightfully spooky way to spend an autumn evening, whether for a classy date night or an exciting new way to go out with friends. This experience definitely beats spending the same amount of money on a fancy, but stuffy restaurant or club-hopping around the city.

Liggett told me before the evening started that they wrote and produced the show in two weeks, and I felt the shorter script lent itself to the actors going off-the-cuff and improvising with the audience when the moment called for it. We were told to eat well, and the portions certainly helped. Each table setting was stacked with finger foods, and I was nibbling on cheese cubes and chicken skewers for the full 90-minute show. The attendants and bar staff were kind and courteous, and the actors made sure we knew to signal if we ever felt uncomfortable with any interactive advances.

As someone who loves all things vampires, I was incredibly pleased with this dinner theater performance. I think the only thing that would have made it even better would be the performers having fake teeth, but I can also understand that it would make them a bit harder to understand. I highly encourage any Kansas Citians in tune with the dark side to seek out our local vampires.