Just in Time for Halloween

Bram Stokers’ Dracula

Bela Lugosi’s name is synonymous with the character of the aristocratic vampire king, Dracula. The actor rose to fame, both on stage and in film, playing this iconic role. The popularity of Dracula and vampires in general is still going strong, even to this day. There are, to date, well over 200 films that feature the Transylvanian Count, as well as many  plays, musicals and even operas. Prolific American playwright Steven Dietz’s faithful adaptation of the novel kicks off BrightSide Theatre’s lucky 13th Season, just in time for Halloween.

In his 1897 Gothic horror novel, Bram Stoker strung together a few historical facts, a smattering of Eastern European folklore and a generous amount of wild imagination. The result was a novel, told through letters and diary entries, about a bloodsucking fiend of noble lineage from Transylvania. Count Dracula has recently found the supply of sanguine nutrient in his rural Carpathian homeland to be inferior. So, in order to survive, he’s going to relocate to England for fresh blood and to increase his undead empire with new conquests. The novel, which has never been out of print, was popular as an adventure story at the turn of the century. But it wasn’t until 1931 when the story was adapted for the stage, and later for film, that Dracula became an iconic character.

The Steven Dietz play loosely follows Stoker’s original story. In a prologue, the mysterious and psychotic Renfield sets the scene for the audience, as the play begins in Dracula’s Transylvanian castle. Jonathan Harker arrives to meet the cryptic Count in order to complete the real estate transaction for Dracula’s acquisition of a new estate near London. Harker meets the Count, is offered food and lodging, but soon discovers he’s being held prisoner in Castle Dracula. Suddenly he’s set upon by a bevy of hungry vampire Vixens who feast on Harker, like a midnight snack. Back home in England, Mina, his lovely fiancee, has inexplicably lost all contact with her beloved husband-to-be. What has become of Jonathan Harker sets this mystery in motion. 

In the following scenes we’re introduced to the rest of Stoker’s main characters. We meet a very liberated Lucy, who shares with Mina, her best friend, a delight in being wooed by three different men. Lucy’s romantic interest, however, remains strongest for Dr. John Seward, the head of the local asylum for the mentally ill. Renfield, Seward’s most intriguing patient, shows up again, just as Lucy begins to show signs of a mysterious affliction. Sagely Professor Van Helsing, Seward’s former highly-regarded  instructor and an expert on the occult, arrives from Amsterdam to lend his expertise. Then, a mysterious death ship arrives in England, with its dead captain lashed to the wheel. The craft was transporting large, coffin-sized boxes filled with soil. Suddenly, an enormous wolf is seen leaving  the ship, and then we encounter a much younger-looking Count Dracula roaming the streets of London. Before the story ends, the stage will become strewn with bodies and blood will be flowing.

This production, the first play in BrightSide’s Season of Spells and Superstitions, has some fine things going for it that make it a great choice for Halloween. First, several of the performances are quite good, beginning with a bloody powerful portrayal of Count Dracula by Danny Parrott. Casting this talented, experienced actor was a stroke of genius. His dramatic strength and magnetic charisma never falters. Mr. Parrott’s antihero elicits goosebumps with every line, while silently stalking the stage like a bloodthirsty beast. After appearing exclusively in musicals, including his dynamic portrayal of Stine in CITY OF ANGELS, handsome Brady McNeil returns to BrightSide Theatre as Jonathan Harker. He proves that he’s not a one-trick pony and is equally adept at both musicals and drama. The two leading ladies in this production are exquisite. The alluring Julia Hope Budd, as Lucy, and the lovely Caitlin Wolfe, as Mina, are both strong, skillful actresses who not only captivate in every scene, but understand melodrama how to portray the Count’s helpless victims.

In addition, veteran Thespian Greg Kolack returns to BrightSide Theatre, this time as an actor. Having directed two productions for BrightSide, Mr. Kolack’s vibrant portrayal of Renfield is a perfect example of melodramatic-style acting. He brings both the character’s juxtaposing passion and strange silliness to Renfield. Mike Boyna makes his well-timed BrightSide debut as the astute Abraham Van Helsing. Portraying this wise expert on the supernatural world, Mr. Boyna shows compassion as the Professor takes command of the group’s fierce battle against the blood-sucking fiend from Transylvania. 

Dr. Seward, played with energy and conviction by Adam Boczar, sometimes gets too caught up in his enthusiasm and we loose his words. On the other hand, while slowing down his speech would greatly help the audience to understand him, Mr. Boczar could benefit the play by picking up his cues. This is sometimes true for everyone. The cast, at times, appears to forget that they’re playing melodrama, which depends upon a faster pace, and not a Greek tragedy.  

The technical support for this production is simple, but excellent. Claire Yearman’s work as Director of Intimacy & Fight is very good. A sparse Set Design by Jeff Sand and Jay Fontanetta works well in transporting the audience to the play’s multiple locales. The use of projections is welcome and works well with this play. The production’s Original Music by Paul Scherer perfectly captures the mood and style, and Kurt Ottinger’s excellent Light & Sound Design is spot-on. Most of Cheryl Newman’s period costumes are beautiful, but I would like to have seen the Vixens in ethereal, floor-length dresses with long trains, as in the 1931 film. Also, if Dracula’s lovely blood-red dressing gown was longer (or if he was wearing black trousers under it), his white-stockinged legs wouldn’t be so glaring.

While this play is a departure from BrightSide Theatre’s typical roster of comedies and musicals, it’s the perfect choice for the Halloween season. It’s a promising start to a Season of Spells & Superstitions, which also includes the theatre’s charming, currently-running, one-hour youth theatre adaptation of Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, which plays in rep with DRACULA. 

Directed with style and energy by guest Director Jay Fontanetta, Steven Dietz’s version of the vampire myth makes for some deliciously eerie entertainment, and just in time for Halloween. The play spins a melodramatic spell of mystery, peppered with just enough blood and violence for a well-crafted horror story. The terror mounts in Fontanetta’s slow build of suspense that shocks the audience with a surprising denouement. DRACULA is an excellent, well-crafted retelling of one of the most popular horror novels of all time.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented October 18-November 3 by BrightSide Theatre, performed at Meiley-Swallow Hall at North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth, Naperville, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 630-447-8497 or by going to www.brightsidetheatre.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com