Nobody can explain why young Lucy Seward is so pale and why the mysterious neighbor, Count Dracula, is so eager to help her. This is the original Dracula play that spawned many other productions and it successfully resists becoming camp. It is compelling in its staging and acting thanks to director Nellie Cravens and is presented by Silver Moon Theatre and the Sonoma Theatre Alliance.
The play is staged in the round, making the audience an intimate witness to the chilling goings-on in the home of Dr. Seward. The talented Len Handeland takes the commanding title role and infuses it with cold passion that grows deeper and more evil throughout the play. Michael Hunter is Renfield, a deliciously creepy fly-eating madman patient of Dr. Seward with his own dark secret. Dan Monez as Dr. Seward and Matt Witthaus as Professor Van Helsing play off each other as sophisticated and intelligent men who discover the evil forces in their midst. Others in the cast have maximized their roles to create a believable (and therefore quite scary) tale just in time for Halloween season. Schubert’s music provides a perfect backdrop. Performances continue through November 2. Tickets: http://www.sonomatheatrealliance.org/shows-events/festival-theatre/dracula/
A “Silver Moon theatre production” in Association with the Sonoma Theatre Alliance, directed by Nellie Cravens, Stage Manager Laura Jovino and starring:
Len Handeland – Count Dracula
Matt Witthaus – Professor Van Helsing
Dan Monez – Dr Seward
Michael Hunter – Renfield (Dracula’s Servant)
Michael Miller – Jonathan Harker
George Bereschik – Attendant
Susan Lee – “Alice” The Maid
Courtney Bristow – Lucy Seward
Photo by Adrian Hyman
Left: Len Handeland as Dracula Right: Matt Witthaus as Professor Van Helsing