BWW Reviews: DRACULA Haunts Theatre

After a full day of judging student one-acts at the district Trumbauer competition, I was not sure how I would feel about sitting through another play. Especially one that promised to be scary, a genre I am not very fond of. This was to be the end of my branching out for the Halloween season, so I owed it to myself to go in with an open mind. I had seen a suspense thriller and a funny, yet Halloween themed musical, but now I was headed to Virginia Samford Theatre to see a truly scary play, Bram Stoker's DRACULA.

I have to say that I was intrigued by the beautiful, yet eerie set the moment I walked into the theatre. It would turn out to have many levels, not only literally with built up areas and trap doors where coffins and such come out of the floor, but figuratively with the pretty bedroom, the insane asylum cell and Dracula's castle all appearing on this clever set. The use of turntables, and retractable walls as well as special effects including smoke, pyrotechnics and projections, kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the evening.

The director does a great job imagining this world and making it come to life, as well as with his use of multiple scenes happening all at once, our attention directed around the space with light changes and the casting, which was spot on.

Kyle Bass as Van Helsing is a convincing blend of confidence as a vampire hunter, yet shows vulnerability when having to tell a distraught fiancé that they might have to cut off their betrothed's head- never good news. Bass shows great range in this role. Talia Pepke is perfect as Lucy, a glib young woman who is a delight at first, but eventually transforms into a sickly and then demonic vampire. Ms. Pepke makes the transition convincingly with ease. Will Rainer as the mental patient Renfield is probably the highlight of the show. He is creepy, yet can appear fairly normal at times. He is possessed one moment, insightful the next and makes eating rats seem like the thing to do at the time.

My only concern is with the Dracula character. In this day of Twilight and True Blood, we expect our vampires to be hunky and appealing, even while they are scary and repulsive. It is that conflict in the heart of their victims that makes for the popularity of vampires right now and fuels the intrigue onstage. I did not feel that from this Dracula. I also have to take issue with his costume. It was too much. All of the costumes were lovely and appropriate and had it been 1957, Dracula's might also have been spot on. Again, in this day and age I think we look for a sexier, more relaxed and accessable vampire. The red ruffles at the neck not only took that away for me, but when he needs to open his shirt at one point it took too long, was too involved and made a potentially sensual scene into an ordeal. (I say all of this knowing DRACULA was originally written in 1897, and I have no clue how a vampire was envisioned then.)

Overall, the play is smart and entertaining, as well as scary. I spent most of the evening with my hand clutching my jacket around my neck. I am glad that Halloween comes but once a year! I am not sure what my next review will be, but here is hoping for a light, romantic comedy. DRACULA continues next weekend, November 6-9 at Virginia Samford Theatre. Call 205-251-1206 or go to www.virginiasamfordtheatre.org for tickets and information.

Photo Credit- Talia Pepke

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