Archive: Arts & Entertainment

Don't be afraid -- The Passion of Dracula is a comic melodrama (adaptated from Bram Stoker's chilling Dracula novel) full of scary fun and theatrical special effects. Seats are already selling fast for Bob Hall and David Richmond's melodramatic take on the classic vampire tale to be staged at the Schwartz Center February 13-23.

The Passion of Dracula transports us to the English countryside where a trio of doctors, a young reporter and a brave English lord battle the mysterious Count Dracula. "This play is an entertaining mystery filled with all the elements of a Gothic horror story: swooping bats (not real), exploding lights, bumbling English lords, romantic encounters, and, of course, the titanic confrontation of Dr. Van Helsing with his powerful nemesis Count Dracula," said Director David Feldshuh, Artistic Director of the Schwartz Center, "It's a delightful retelling of this ever-popular story!"

Count Dracula will be played by the talented television and screen actor J.G. Hertzler, who will be joined by fellow Resident Professional Teaching Associates Carolyn Goelzer (Professor Van Helsing), Paul Hebron (Dr. Cedric Seward), and Ed Schiff (Lord Godalming). Cornell students in the production are Ansel Brasseur (Jameson), Allison Buck (Wilhelmina Murray), Joshua Burlingham (Jonathan Harker), Katharine Karaus (Dr. Helga Van Zandt), and Myles Rowland (Mr. Renfield).

Integral to the story of The Passion of Dracula is its dramatic setting -- intricately designed by Kent Goetz, who is also designing lights for this production. Period costumes come from the imagination of designer Sarah Bernstein and requisite spooky sounds will be skillfully implemented by sound designer Warren Cross. Theatrical effects and scary surprises are courtesy of props coordinator Tim Ostrander.

Evening performances of The Passion of Dracula are February 13-17 and 20-23 at 7:30 PM. (Please note our new evening start time!) Two matinees will be offered at 2 pm on February 17 and 23. A post-show discussion with actors and designers will be held February 21.

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