A gothic pop-opera took center stage on the French Riviera, signaling a bold new vision for immersive theater.
Broadway’s next boundary-breaking production didn’t wait for New York to make its first move it seized the global spotlight in Cannes. On May 17, amidst the high-gloss dazzle of the world’s most prestigious film festival, Blood/Love made its debut not on a screen, but inside the walls of the Villa des Étoiles, with a moody, multi-sensory performance that turned a quiet night into something unforgettable.
Just steps from the Carlton, the evening rewrote the rules of a theatrical premiere. Dreamt up by avant-garde creator Carey Sharpe, Blood/Love is an intoxicating blend of gothic storytelling, rock opera theatrics, and immersive performance art. The one-night spectacle signaled more than a show announcement; it unveiled a conceptual world rich with emotion, fashion, and myth.
“This isn’t just a show, it’s an experience,” Sharpe said. “To announce our New York run of Blood/Love during Cannes, in this way, is a dream. We wanted to create a full-body experience where emotion, fashion, and fantasy could be felt in every corner. This show is unique and launching it in this way feels true to what we are trying to embody with the production.”
Sharpe’s vision transformed the historic villa into a living tableau. Live scoring by Grammy-nominated musician Dru DeCaro provided an emotional undercurrent, with original music that pulled guests into the piece’s romantic, melancholic universe. His performance elevated the surreal drama into something hauntingly human.
After the performance, the atmosphere evolved into a glamorous after-hours celebration. A cinematic DJ set by Andrea Fabrizii of CAM Sugar set the tone for a late-night escape that felt part high fashion, part gothic casino. Crystal chandeliers flickered over guests as they explored the villa’s transformed spaces sipping custom cocktails and savoring wines supplied by Massa Wine and Château Les Preyres, whose elegant pours matched the night’s opulent aesthetic.
Hollywood names mingled with fashion elites and creatives from across the globe. Cuba Gooding Jr., Ian Bohen, and Selling Sunset’s Jason Oppenheim and Jessica Vargas were among the stars who joined the evening’s festivities. Notables including Hofit Golan, musician Shannon K, Lady Victoria Hervey, and producer Maria Soccor added their own flair, while Pamela and Nicholas Guest, alongside their daughter Elizabeth Guest, brought a touch of generational prestige.
The night’s dress code Dress to Slay” set the tone for a visual feast. Attendees rose to the challenge with dark couture, dramatic silhouettes, and looks that felt lifted from the pages of a fashion fantasy. The result: a collision of style, performance, and mystique that made the entire evening feel like a scene from an avant-garde dream.
Amid a festival known for its glamour, Blood/Love stood out by abandoning cinematic convention and embracing emotional immersion. There were no seats, no stages just story and sensation. “This isn’t theater as usual,” one guest remarked, capturing the spirit of the production.
With strong early buzz from platforms like BroadwayWorld, Cultural Daily, and Secret Los Angeles, the anticipation for Blood/Love’s 2026 Broadway premiere is intensifying. Cannes served not just as a global tease, but as a declaration: the future of theater may be darker, louder, and more immersive than ever before.
And when Blood/Love finally reaches the Broadway stage, audiences won’t just witness it. They’ll be consumed by it.
