Rachel Holt Chats DRACULA at East Lynne Theater Company

Lucy Seward is suffering from anemia, and Dr. Van Helsing suspects she might be the victim of a vampire. Her troubles began at about the same time the town's newest neighbor, Count Dracula, bought a nearby estate.

Based on Bram Stoker's gothic novel, the award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company presents the 1927 adaptation of "Dracula," adapted by John L. Balderston and Hamilton Deane. It runs through September 3 in Cape May, NJ.

Several "Dracula" cast members have previously worked for ELTC, but new to the company is Rachel Holt, so we asked her a few questions, and here are the questions, with her responses.

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How did you find out about East Lynne?

Through a friend who was coming down here to audition, so I came down to audition.

Where else have you performed and where have you enjoyed working?

I've performed regionally at The Shakespeare Theatre ("The Alchemist," Washington, D.C.), Studio Theatre (Philadelphia), The Walnut Street Theatre ("An Ideal Husband"), Round House Theatre Company (Bethesda, MD) and Olney Theatre Center. I love what I do. I enjoy my time at every venue. Working with East Lynne Theatre Company has been pure joy!

Tell us about your character, Lucy. What are her motivations?

I think Lucy is looking for freedom, and for whatever that means at any given point of the play. Lucy is interested in Dracula, and he's been visiting her at night, but she is also engaged to Jonathan Harker. It's an interesting dynamic between the two men. Lucy is in love with John, but she has this fascination, this magnetism towards Dracula that she can't resist. When Dracula is in the room, he represents freedom for her. When it's just her and her fiancé, she wants to be free of the push and the pull of Dracula so she can go off and marry her love.

What's your favorite line of Lucy's?

"Please come as before, won't you?" (spoken to Dracula)

Who should come out and see "Dracula?"

Everyone should come and see "Dracula." Who doesn't like a werewolf, a love interest and scary moments? Everyone.

Anything else?

I've written, produced, and acted in a solo show called "Surrender," about a family and their heroine addicted daughter- how they cope, survive and overcome the odds. I'm also the proud mom of two: Emily, age four, and Andrew, 17 months.

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"Dracula" runs four nights a week, Wednesdays through Saturdays, at 8:30 p.m. at the historic First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St., Cape May. On Friday, August 26 is an American Sign Language interpreted performance. Tickets are $32; $27 for seniors (age 62+); $17 for full-time students and those in the military or a veteran. Ages 12 and under are free. For more information and to make a reservation, call 609-884-5898 or visit www.eastlynnetheater.org.

Pictured: Rachel Holt as Lucy and Samuel Douglas Clark as Dracula in ELTC's production of "Dracula." Photo by Gayle Stahlhuth.