DRACULA Runs Now thru 3/15 at The Grove Theatre

The Grove Theatre announces the opening of Dracula the Musical, which is running on weekends from tonight, Feburary 27th through March 15th. This is the story of Jonathan Harker, a young lawyer from England, who travels to Transylvania in order to fix a deal with Count Dracula, who wants to buy a home in London. However, the Count notices a picture of Jonathan's fiancée Mina Murray, which seems to have a strange effect on him. Harker's stay in the remote castle is turning more and more into a nightmare. Harker manages to escape - after being bitten by his host - to Budapest. Mina travels to him and marries him, while Mina's friend Lucy is marrying Arthur in London.

In the meantime, Dracula has reached London and starts searching for victims. He contacts Renfield and promises him eternal life in exchange for his service. His first victim is Lucy, who dies soon after he bites her. Even the renowned vampire expert Van Helsing cannot help her anymore. Lucy, however, turns into a vampire herself and - with the assistance of Dr. Van Helsing- is being killed by her former love interests, Quincey and Jack, in her tomb.

Mina feels a strange attraction to the Count. Torn between her fear and love, she eventually invites him to come in. Dracula lets her taste his blood, intending to turn her into a vampire as well. Later on, he has to escape from London, because the vampire hunters are closing in on him. His enemies follow him. They take Mina with them, who is connected to the Count telepathically.

At the Count's Castle, the final showdown takes place. While the vampire hunters fight with an entire army of vampires, Mina now decides to follow her beloved Dracula into the darkness. But Dracula realizes that this should not be Mina's fate. He asks Mina to release him from his doomed existence.

Tickets are $20 and $25 with senior, student and group discounts, and can be purchased by calling (909) 920-4343, on the Grove website at www.grovetheatre.com, or by visiting The Grove box office. The Grove Theatre is located at 276 E. Ninth Street, Upland, CA 91786.