Displaying items by tag: Dracula

Brightside Theatre’s rendition of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, adapted by Stephen Dietz, captivates from the opening scene to its climactic finale. Ever since the 1992 Francis Ford Coppola film with Gary Oldman, Bram Stoker’s Dracula has fascinated me. It was a delight to see Brightside Theatre’s cast and crew brilliantly capture the excitement, romance, and terror of this classic tale. Each professional performer brought their unique talents to the show, creating an unforgettable experience.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a gothic horror story that follows Jonathan Harker, a young lawyer, who travels to Transylvania to help Count Dracula purchase a London estate. Harker soon discovers that Dracula is a vampire intent on spreading his undead curse to England. Meanwhile, Dracula's sinister influence spreads, threatening Harker's fiancée Mina and her friend Lucy. While Renfield eagerly awaits his master’s arrival, a group led by Professor Van Helsing joins forces to thwart Dracula's plans, resulting in a thrilling battle between good and evil. The tale explores themes of fear, seduction, and the clash between modernity and ancient evil.

Lucy (Julia Hope Budd) and Seward (Adam Boczar) in Dracula

The entire cast is excellent. Greg Kolack shines as Renfield, bringing immense energy and pathos to the role of Dracula's insane, bloodthirsty slave. Caitlin Wolfe captures Mina's innocent charm with a thoughtful and intelligent grace, making her the perfect target for Dracula's dark desires. Brady McNeil delivers a compelling performance as Jonathan Harker, convincingly portraying his transition from a rational businessman visiting Dracula's castle to a broken, mentally disturbed soul after enduring the bloody, sexual rituals of Dracula’s vixens. Julia Hope Budd delivers an exceptional and multifaceted performance as Lucy, the innocent victim who succumbs to Dracula's bloodthirst and transforms into a vampire. Budd lights up the stage with her sensuality and humor in scenes where she's pursued by suitors. As she transforms into a vampire, she remains equally compelling and thrilling to watch.

Also delivering a strong performance is Mike Boyna, who excels as Van Helsing, bringing a mature presence and delivering words of wisdom that resonate deeply with the audience in Steven Dietz's well-written adaptation. Seward is superbly played by Adam Boczar. His deep love for Lucy is clear, despite her referring to him as a "true friend." Seward's love and respect for Lucy is palpable, especially in the way he gently touches her wrist to take her temperature, as if overcome with emotion at the honor.

Of course, Danny Parrott excels as Dracula, bringing a spooky energy to the role. Parrot's strong, graceful, and sensual portrayal as he stalks his victims showcases both sides of Dracula—the powerful, commanding seducer and the violent, selfish monster capable of great cruelty and murder.

The vixens, portrayed by Erica Harrington, Daria Koon, and Kirstin Palatinus, were each sensuous and frightening, draped in beautiful silk robes.

The cast of Bram Stoker's Dracula

Throughout the play the production's lighting and sound effects, crafted by set designer Jeff Sand, Jay Fontanetta, and Kurt Ottinger, were exceptional, including its clever use of multimedia. I also thoroughly enjoyed Cheryl Newman's well-fitting and multilayered period costumes. Each outfit perfectly suited both the actors and the era, particularly the women's intricate, corseted silk ensembles.

During the play’s intermission, I spoke with Jeffrey Cass, Brightside’s Artistic Director, and Julie Ann Kornak, the company’s Executive Director and co-founder, praising their excellent work in creating the space—a delightfully intimate three-quarter thrust theater with comfortable seating, great sight lines, and effective special effects lighting. I was thrilled to learn that their upcoming season will feature more exciting productions like Dracula, including Jekyll and Hyde the Musical, the ever-romantic Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the uplifting musical comedy Pippin!

Skillfully directed by Jay Fontanetta, this thrilling, scary, and sensual production of Dracula is a must-see for audiences of all ages. It's the perfect Halloween treat for adults looking to celebrate the holiday without the usual haunted house fare!

Dracula is being performed at Brightside Theatre in Naperville through November 3rd. For tickets and/or more show information, click HERE.

In tradition of the Halloween season, First Folio Theatre keeps with its ongoing classic horror theme, this time presenting the world premiere of “Dr. Seward’s Dracula” in line with past productions “Frankenstein” and “The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe”. Finely adapted by Joseph Zettelmaier and cleverly directed by Jeff Award nominee Alison C. Vesely, a terrific tale is spun that is as dark as it is suspenseful.

The setting is perfect. Performed at the Mayslake Peabody Estate in Brookfield, viewers get a taste of nostalgia, easily associated with that of a classic horror film, the moment they enter the aged mansion. 

The story revolves around Dr. Seward, a former practitioner at an asylum who has since left due to a string of tortuous events including the death of his wife and an attack that left him stabbed in the stomach with the jagged leg of a wooden stool. Set in Seward’s home, he is constantly visited by his past wife and shoots morphine on a regular basis to curb the chronic pain he suffers from his stomach wound. Visited regularly by editor and close friend, Bram Stoker, a series of brutal murders piles up and suspicions leading to Seward as a suspect gradually become stronger. When Inspector Louis Carlyse enters the scene, things only get stranger, suspicions pointing more and more to Dr. Seward who is now questioning his own sanity. Seward claims a blood drinking monster named “Dracula” is responsible for the horrific murders, a story not so easily believed.

Though fine acting is present from the play’s beginning, Act One moves along at a slow pace, the opportunity of dramatic moments lacking in heavy suspense, leaving something to be desired to the mid-act crescendos that were most likely intended. However, Act Two comes on strong, providing the intriguement and excitement horror fans would have expected, completely redeeming the show and putting it on the must do list for Halloween activities. 

Christian Gray is thoroughly gripping as Dr. Seward, capturing the audience for good in just the play’s first scene. He never let’s go of that grip. One of the finest actors in the Chicagoland theatre scene, Gray is able to tackle such a role in a way that most cannot. Already performing in over twenty shows for First Folio, the gifted actor has already made his mark in such productions as the “Jeeves” series, “The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe”, “Romeo and Juliet” and “A Moon for the Misbegotten”. Now Gray can confidently add another knock out performance to his resume. 

The play rounds out with a handful of strong supporting performances with Craig Spidle as the Inspector, Joseph Stearns as Bram Stoker, Elizabeth Stenholt as Seward’s lost love Emily Covington and most notably Ted Kitterman as The Strange Man.

Gray’s performance is reason alone to see this play. However, it’s building story, ominous looking set and well-played roles of its assorted interesting characters add even more justification to see this frightfully tasty Halloween treat. 

First Folio’s “Dr. Seward’s Dracula” is being performed at the Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oakbrook through November 6th. For more show information visit www.FirstFolio.org.