Ellis Island Living Theater Presents…
”Taking a Chance on America: Bela Lugosi’s Ellis Island Story”

The immigrant experience of legendary movie actor Bela Lugosi—best known for his portrayal of Count Dracula—comes to life seven times daily at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum’s intimate Living Theater beginning March 16 for a limited run. Written by playwright and screenwriter Aurorae Khoo, “Taking a Chance on America: Bela Lugosi’s Ellis Island Story” features a reenactment of the Ellis Island inspection process. The show also includes contemporary immigrant characters.

Produced and funded by The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc., this new 30-minute show will be presented seven days a week through mid-October. Times are 10:45; 11:30; 12:15; 1:00; 2:30; 3:15; and 4:00. Admission is $6.00. Reservations are accepted for groups of 10 or more. Individuals without reservations are encouraged to purchase their tickets upon entering the museum. Since the theater seats 56 people, some groups may have to schedule multiple shows. Please note that the National Park Service, which administers Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, requires one chaperone for every ten students.

For more information or to make reservations for the show, contact The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation at 212-561-4500, ext. 0 or email Theater@ellisisland.org.

New this year, reserve ferry tickets (recommended) are now being offered, which allows ticket holders priority entry to security check-in and saves wait time. Flex ferry tickets are also available. For ferry information, call 1-877-LADY TIX (1-877-523-9849) or visit www.statuecruises.com. Due to security procedures, it is recommended that show-goers plan their ferry departure from Battery Park in New York or from Liberty State Park in New Jersey at least 1-1/2 hours prior to show time.

To download the Teacher’s Guide on “Taking a Chance on America: Bela Lugosi’s Ellis Island Story” and the history of Ellis Island, please click here.

To learn more about Bela Lugosi, please visit the actor’s website maintained by the Lugosi family at http://www.lugosi.com/.

The Performers employed in this production are members of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. More on the Ellis Island Immigration Museum