Dracula has been presented as a range of character types, from a blood-sucking stud with a bevy of brides to Count Chocula, the cartoon mascot for a breakfast cereal.

But it’s unlikely that the fictional vampire has ever been portrayed as a ballerina.

That is, not until City Ballet resident choreographer Geoff Gonzalez decided to produce this weekend’s new “Dracula” ballet with a gender flip.

The production will star his wife, ballerina Ariana Gonzalez, in the title role.

Ariana Gonzalez will play the leader of an all-female vampire group in City Ballet of San Diegos new ballet Dracula. (Chelsea Penyak City Ballet of San Diego)

The idea came about during a brainstorming session for City Ballet’s 2024-25 season, when company dancer Lucas Ataide innocently suggested, “Wouldn’t it be cool if Dracula was a woman?”

The Gonzalezes enthusiastically embraced Ataide’s idea.

“I thought, what a challenge for a dancer to play a part like that, especially when there’s no precedent,” Geoff said.

“The gender swap would be super fun and entertaining — and it gives me the chance to really take a story and make it my own.”

Dancer Shannon Romeo is featured in City Ballet of San Diegos new ballet Dracula. (Chelsea Penyak City Ballet of San Diego)

The ballet opens with Ariana smearing the blood from a cut on her hand across a portrait of the old Count, signifying her takeover.

“The new Dracula is here and the old Dracula is gone,” Geoff explained. “She offers eternal life for the sacrifice of a human life, and she uses women as part of her entourage.”

Ariana Gonzalez will play the leader of an all-female vampire group in City Ballet of San Diegos new ballet Dracula. (Chelsea Penyak City Ballet of San Diego)

Geoff said he wanted to combine the spirit of the Halloween season with the elegance and musical accompaniment familiar to classical ballet.

There’s a dungeon scene and an altar that holds the heads of four male dancers, who are sacrificed to the poignant, somber “Funeral March” by Frédéric Chopin.

“If I didn’t have Chopin playing in the background, it might be really gruesome,” reasoned Geoff with a laugh. “But it’s gothic and beautiful and everything is connected in a ballet format.”

Gruesome doesn’t bother Ariana. In fact, she’s a fan.

“I’m a huge horror movie buff,” admitted Ariana, who last year accepted the role of City Ballet’s associate artistic director.

“I’ve always been obsessed with vampires and the scarier, the better. My friends say, Why are you watching that, it’s so disturbing,” she said.

City Ballet was co-founded in 1993 by Ariana’s parents, Steven and Elizabeth Wistrich.

As the new associate artistic director, she will continue to perform lead roles while assuming more responsibility.

One of her goals is to expand the types of shows the company offers, blending traditional ballet with works by contemporary choreographers.

The “Dracula” production is a triple bill that includes George Balanchine’s “Emeralds” and a new ballet by internationally renowned, Columbian-Belgian choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa.

City Ballet is known for its Balanchine productions, and Balanchine repetiteur Nilas Martins traveled to City Ballet’s Pacific Beach headquarters to train the company dancers for “Emeralds,” part of the elegant, three-act ballet “Jewels.”

“Martins is a pleasure to work with,” Ariana said.

“You would think he would have all of these airs about him because of his illustrious career. But he’s down to earth with a wealth of knowledge.”

Earlier this year, Ariana added Christopher Wheeldons “Morphoses” to the spring program, a first for the company.

“Since I started in this new position, Ive been pushing to expand our repertoire,” Ariana said.

“I think it’s important for the dancers to do all types of different work and it was a big deal for me to bring in outside choreographers. The Wheeldon piece was one of the highlights of my whole career. The partnering and the music were challenging, but it was one of the most fulfilling pieces I’ve done on stage so far.”

The “Dracula” show includes another first for City Ballet — a work by a new female choreographer from outside the company.

Columbian-Belgian choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoas Ecliptic will be presented by City Ballet of San Diego Nov. 10 and 16. (Ballet Met)

Lopez Ochoa has choreographed for more than 50 dance companies around the world and in her athletic piece “Ecliptic,” nine dancers perform with various hula hoops, “evoking harmony and continuity.”

The dance was inspired by the circular and geometric images of Kathleen Werners art series.

“Annabelle is so gracious and very unique,” Ariana said. “I can’t wait for the audience to see ‘Ecliptic.’ It’s a totally new vocabulary for the company and very exciting.”

The Gonzalezes are looking forward to shaping City Ballet’s next chapter with diverse programming that allows them to develop their artistic ideas.

“This show is more of an achievement for us because of the range of dancing,” added Geoff. “It’s a more fun way of creating that is more proactive than reactive.”

City Ballet of San Diego presents Dracula

When: 8 p.m. Nov. 9; 2 p.m. Nov. 10

Where: Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., downtown

When: 8 p.m. Nov. 16

Where: California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido

Tickets: $39-$99

Online: cityballet.org