DRACULA

Jacquin Studios

David Wassilak as Dracula: His Dracula is ultimately no more menacing than a leafless tree under a full moon, and possibly more wooden.

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More About

• Count Dracula
• Jonathan Harker
• Bram Stoker
• Heather Ann Klinke Mina
• Drew Bell

Frankly, this production is completely irredeemable, but if changes are to be made, consider the following: Think theater-in-the-round when you set up those chairs, and have the actors actually move in the entire space and play nearer to the spectators instead of pretending they're in a conventional theater. Rent better lights and enlist company members to train movable follow-spots on actors' faces. A number of "crucial" scenes were played in complete darkness. Dress the space -- a few cobwebs and more candles might do wonders -- and have your tech staff get into the spirit, as well as your ushers. Rethink the makeup and costumes for consistency and lose "the heroic group" who pursue the vampire, especially the cowboy, although actor Larry Dell enunciated clearly enough. As for the script -- well, how much are the royalties to Samuel French? It's a pity this show will get an audience from sheer goodwill overflow (Haunted Caverns and Dr. Zurheide's Asylum also play the Lemp Brewery). Finally, stage blood is easily created with Karo syrup and food coloring. Use some. Dracula is not supposed to be anemic.