Audiences will get a taste of horror followed by a splash of comedy in the San Francisco Playhouse production of Kate Hamill’s “Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really,” which will run this Thursday through June 27.

Written in 2020 as the #me too movement galvanized the world, Hamill’s work takes a bite out of traditional male domination in Dracula sagas with her gender-bending rendition in this smart, darkly comedic piece. While Dracula is still male, his nemesis, Dracula slayer Van Helsing, is a strong-willed physically assertive female.

“In this time of runaway male toxicity, exemplified by (Harvey) Weinstein and (Jeffrey) Epstein, Kate Hamill brings a necessary and refreshing new vision,” said SF Playhouse Artistic Director Bill English, who directs the show. “Following a long string of ‘Dracula’ interpretations where we are asked to empathize with the vampire, Hamill’s version of the classic makes it terrifyingly and hilariously clear that her Dracula is a predator who preys on women. He needs not our understanding, but to be stopped, and the women must take matters into their own hands.”

And that is exactly what SF Playhouse Co-Founder Susi Damilano does in her portrayal of Van Helsing.

“I think having Van Helsing played by a woman is Amy’s way of saying, ‘Hey ladies, let’s be empowered,’ ” Damilano said.

And that’s exactly the look costumer Kathleen Qiu has gone for with Van Helsing. Damilano sports a cowboy hat and belt that includes several wooden stakes and a crucifix.

“This is not something I’ve done before, and I’ve had to get used to wearing all this gear,” said Damilano. “We have the fabulous fight director Dave Mayer and Johnny Moreno, who is very skilled at stage combat, playing Dracula. After years in the theater, I’m finally an action hero.”

After reading the script, Damilano was surprised to learn that her character doesn’t always win the early fights with Dracula.

“I was very sore after the first fight rehearsals. I really threw myself into the action and could barely walk the next day. Thank God I have a hot tub.”

She soon learned how to not overdo the moves and still make them look real. Helping her learn the finer points of being an action hero, Damilano has not only Mayer but also illusionist Christian Cagigal to guide her.

“So I’ve got Dave telling me how to fight and Christian showing me how to swap out a real stake with a magnetic one before I stab someone. But the hardest part for me has been to train myself to make eye contact prior to doing any action moves. It’s just a fraction of a second, but it’s vital that each of you can see the other person is ready.”

In addition to the charismatic Moreno as Dracula, the show also features the marvelous Stacey Ross as Dracula devotee Renfield in what Damilano characterizes as a “mesmerizing” performance. Other cast members include Nemma Adeni (Lucy), Elizabeth Cowperthwaite (Drusilla/Miller), Charisse Loriaux (Marilla/Maid), James Aaron Oh (Jonathan Harker), Josh Schell (Dr. Seward) and Sharon Shao (Mina).

For tickets to a show you can sink your teeth into, visit sfplayhouse.org online or call 415-677-9596.

Orinda: I’m always amused when theater companies choose the same or similar pieces for their seasons. In this case, it’s the Dracula theme again with the Orinda Starlight Village Players (ORSVP) offering Malcolm Cowler’s adaptation of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula.” While the Sept. 4-26 production will be done completely in black-and-white, this adaptation will keep the more traditional approach to the bloodthirsty villain.

ORSVP’s upcoming season also includes Agatha Christie’s “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd” from June 5 through July 3, followed by Noel Coward’s “Present Laughter” from July 24 through Aug. 15. For season or individual tickets, visit orsvp.org online.

Berkeley: The innovative performer Nina Wise is continues her funny, up-to-the-minute improvisational series “What Just Happened?” at The Marsh Berkeley through this Saturday.

Called a metaphysical vaudevillian and praised for her rhythmic flow and emotional depth, Wise literally recaps her previous 24 hours. With her movement-infused storytelling, improv prowess and humor, Wise creates a uniquely original work that changes every day! For tickets, go online to themarsh.org.

Also in Berkeley: Berkeley Rep offers a rediscovering of the beauty and warmth in human connections with Ritesh Batra’s “The Lunchbox,” playing this Sunday, May 17, through June 28 in the Roda Theatre at 2015 Addison Street in Berkeley.

Based on his film, this musical adaptation follows the unexpected relationship that blossoms when a lunchbox is delivered to the wrong man. Set in hectic Mumbai, the story follows a lonely young wife and a widower nearing retirement who form an unlikely bond thanks to the misdirected lunchbox.

“I’m so deeply moved by this show, which has a delicacy and depth of humanity I’ve almost never experienced in a musical,” said Director Rachel Chavkin. “And Ritesh Batra has somehow managed to amplify his already glorious film, maintaining its intimacy while opening it to even more emotionality and contemporary resonances.”

For tickets, call 510-647-2949 or go to berkeleyrep.org.

Reach Sally Hogarty at sallyhogarty@gmail.com, and read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.