Spine-Chilling and Hilarious, Goat Blood Raises the Bar at the Days of the Dead Festival- Leo George, Medium.com

At the Days of the Dead Festival at UNDER St. Marks, Goat Blood brings a mix of horror and humor. Written by Mark-Eugene Garcia, the play follows co-workers Owen and Pablo, waiting for their dates in the woods. As the night unfolds, they confront not only their feelings for each other but also a lurking threat: the chupacabra, a creature from Latin American folklore. The play navigates between lighthearted banter and suspense, exploring themes of fear, identity, and desire while twisting classic horror tropes.

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Directed by Rodrigo Ernesto Bolaños, the production strikes a balance between chills and laughs, though it occasionally struggles with pacing, especially when the political commentary becomes too pronounced. The all-American patriot Owen, played by Hraban Luyat, grounds the show with much-needed comic relief during its most tense and reflective moments, touching on themes of culture, belonging, and mortality. A classically trained actor with a Shakespearean background, Luyat shines in this role as a lighthearted jester, and his playful freedom on stage makes him stand out in every scene.

Luyat’s generosity as a performer keeps the relationship between Owen and Pablo, played by Sergio Caetano, at the story’s heart. While Caetano delivers a consistent, heartfelt performance, it’s the animated Owen who provides ample material for Pablo to react to, making their dynamic feel authentic and alive.

The magic peaked during an unplanned moment when a beer bottle clattered to the floor in the audience. The audience was tense, but Luyat improvised around it by folding the event into the performance as if it were part of the script. His reaction added a refreshing sense of immediacy to the show. Such moments highlight the thrill of live theater!

The sold-out audience was clearly captivated, and this reviewer is eager to see how the show evolves. Goat Blood feels ready for a longer run, and if this performance is any indication, there’s plenty of potential for future development.

The production as a whole was highly entertaining, particularly in its integration of horror elements with the intimate drama. Certain scenes might have been better suited for film rather than stage, yet any perceived flaws faded in the dynamic and energetic performance, which kept the audience on edge.

You can still catch Goat Blood for one more night at UNDER St. Marks Theater on October 26, at 9PM.

With Goat Blood setting a high bar at the Days of the Dead Festival and the brilliance of Hills of California, my expectations are high for the rest of the year. If the lineup continues at this level, the theater’s end-of-year offerings are going to be nothing short of spectacular!