The timeless cult classic “Dracula” has flown to the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis from Oct. 11 to Nov. 4.
“Dracula” provides this haunting season with a little bit of scare and a whole lot of fun. The story that has been scaring people for decades delivers a show packed with excitement, laughs and thrills.
The play, directed by Stephen Hollis, is an adaptation from Bram Stoker’s famous vampire novel. The stage version is slightly different from both Stoker’s book and the famous 1931 Bela Lugosi movie, reorganizing the relationships between various characters.
The result is not disappointing, even with the same, essential age-old plot and the evil powers of Dracula lurking around every corner.
The play begins on an eerie evening in a sanatorium, when three men gather to discuss the declining health of young Lucy Seward (Julia Coffey), daughter of Dr. Seward (Richard Easley) who calls in a specialist, Dr. Van Helsing (John Michalski), to diagnose the sudden deterioration of her health. Realizing that Lucy suffers from a vampire bite, Van Helsing tries to prepare Lucy’s fiancé, John Harker (Jeffrey Withers) and Dr. Seward for what is to come: They must prevent Lucy from becoming one of the undead.
Lucy’s family and friends soon begin to suspect mysterious neighbor Count Dracula (Kurt Rhoads). Soon, they have proof that the Count is the cause of Lucy’s infection. This began an all-out attack to destroy him.
This story of “Dracula” is known to most before they even see the play. It can be difficult to arouse a sense of horror and instill fear in an audience that knows the story prior to the performance. As a result, the excitement of this show comes out of the way it is told.
The scenic design by Paul Shortt was captivating, as the audience looks into a Gothic sitting room of a mansion just outside of London.
In addition, the special effects shock the audience and renew excitement in the age-old tale. To see a man transform into a bat on stage in front of a full house proved
to be entertaining, leaving the audience awestruck.
The telling of the story itself, however, does not seem like it is intended to scare. There are a few parts that may cause a stir and a little bit of unease, but the overall goal of the play is to amuse.
Renfield (Scott Schafer), a patient at Dr. Seward’s sanatorium, pushes for laughs every time he is on stage. The attendant, played by Larry Bull, delivers cheesy one-liners and bad puns in a delightful cockney accent. The play is full of melodrama and ridiculously bad jokes, but that is part of the reason it is entertaining.
Michalski and Easley are a delight to watch. These charming men deliver their roles with the ease and comfort of seasoned vets. The part of Lucy Seward, the victim of the seductive Dracula, was played with little vigor by Julia Coffe.
Tall and mysterious, Kurt Rhoads plays Dracula perfectly, both embodying terror selling his witty moments.
In addition to the engaging acting, the humor stands out as well. Audience members cannot help but cringe and laugh at corny lines, such as, “She’s down for the Count!”
With an agreeable cast and stunning visuals, “Dracula” will get you wrapped up in its excitement and thrill and lose you in a world of good and evil, where there can only be one winner. The ending, though not a surprise, comes with a bang that will make you jump in your seat.
