Hedgerow Theatre to Present DRACULA, 10/22-11/22

As the days grow shorter and lower temperatures bring a nip to the air, Hedgerow Theatre's annual autumn thriller will also deliver chills up the spine as it present the classic Dracula from October 22 through November 22.

Hamilton Deane's 1924 adaptation of the Bram Stoker novel was revised by John L. Balderston in 1927, the year it premiered on Broadway, introducing American audiences to Bela Lugosi in his first English-speaking role. It's set in an English sanitorium run by Dr. John Seward, whose daughter Lucy is experiencing a baffling illness similar to the one that took the life of her friend Mina. In hopes of finding a cure, Seward and Lucy's fiance Jonathan Harker call in a specialist, Dr. Van Helsing. The institution is also home to Renfield, an insect-eating madman who keeps raving that his "master" will soon appear. It's also visited by a new neighbor, the mysterious, distinguished Count Dracula, recently relocated to England from Transylvania, who may just be the cause of both Lucy's sickness and Renfield's madness.

Dracula is directed by Dan Hodge, co-founder of the Philadelphia Artists' Collective, who has also helmed the previous two fall productions, although this is the first non-Shakespeare play he's done at Hedgerow. Hodge, a horror-movie buff, chose the show and the version, and he promises that it "will be a ball" for both the cast and the audience. "There are comic moments," he explained, but also moments of genuine terror. It's a story everyone knows, so my goal is to find ways to surprise the audience and keep them on their toes. I have a fantastic cast that is sure to make that happen."

In the title role is J Hernandez, who is new to Hedgerow but not to Philadelphia theatergoers. The Texas native arrived here in 2013 and promptly won both the Phindie Critics Choice Award and the Broadway World Philadelphia Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Play for his portrayal of Iago in Othello at the Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre. He's also performed locally at the Lantern Theatre, Philadelphia Artists' Collective and Commonwealth Theatre.

Also making their Hedgerow debuts are Ned Pryce as Jonathan Harker and Meghan Winch as the maid. Pryce has a BFA in acting from the University of the Arts and also studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. He's appeared at several local venues, including McCarter Theatre in Princeton. Wince recently completed her MA in Theatre at Villanova, where she acted in numerous productions.

Returning to Hedgerow are popular Philadelphia actors Jennifer Summerfield and John Lopes, both of whom performed in last year's Hamlet and in 2013's Macbeth. Summerfield, who was a gender-bender as Horatio in Hamlet, does the same this year as Dr. Van Helsing, while Lopes plays John Seward.

Rounding out the cast are three Hedgerow Fellows who have appeared in recent shows. Mark Swift, who delighted audiences in No Sex Please, We're British this summer, is Renfield. Allison Bloechl and Josh Portera, who played the hilariously evil duo Lenya and Otto von Brunno in Bullshot Crummond, portray Lucy and Attendant Butterworth.

Adult ticket prices for Friday, Saturday evening and Sunday shows are $34; Thursday and Saturday twilight shows are $29. There is a $3 discount for seniors. Tickets for those 30 and under are $20 and $15 for students with valid ID. Tickets for the previews on October 22 and 23 are $20 for adults and $15 for students. For groups of 10 or more, tickets are $18. Members can purchase half-price tickets for all shows. Prices include all fees and are subject to change.

For reservations or more info, call 610-565-4211 or visit www.HedgerowTheatre.org. Hedgerow Theatre is located at 64 Rose Valley Road in Rose Valley (near Media).