It's a timeless story of good versus evil, and Dracula Director Jobeth Cruz is excited to see audiences' reactions to this classic vampire tale.
"This is a dark show with violence and blood ... as close to the horror genre as I could get on our stage!" she says.
This modern William McNulty adaptation of the Bram Stoker book "has taken the original 1926 script and turned it into something that today's audiences would be much more in tune with," adds Cruz.
Cruz, who is an award-winning costumer all over Northwest Indiana, always designs costumes for her own shows.
"I have a very clear vision of what I want for every show I direct, and that includes the costumes. This play is set in 1898 Victorian England. It is not a colorful production, but rather it has dark menacing tones of the time period."
One of the biggest costume challenges is dealing with the stage blood, Cruz says.
"Without giving too much away, the amount of laundering required will likely demand each actor have several costumes as back-ups!"
"It's definitely a thriller with lots of blood and special effects. I'm sure middle-schoolers will love it! The boys will cheer, and the girls will say 'ewwww'"!
The cast:
- Robert Renfield - Dan Matern, Chesterton
- Mina Grant - Lindsey Elderkin, Valparaiso
- Monster - Jim West, Lansing, Ill.
- Margaret Sullivan - Daena Sisk, Valparaiso
- Abram Von Helsing - Earle Howe, Lansing, Ill.
- Dr. Thomas Seward - Adam Woolever, Valparaiso
- Count Dracula - Matt McCann, Valparaiso
- The Child - Ione and Paloma Calvin, alternating, Chesterton
- Norbert Briggs - Tom O'Neill, Porter
- Lucy Westphal - Kyrie Anderson, Hobart
- Jonathan Harker - Martin Weisenbacher, Valparaiso
Everyone in the audience is invited to join the cast and crew on Friday, Oct. 12, for an Opening Night Gala at Pesto's in Valparaiso. CST also is offering a special engagement performance on Halloween night, complete with a costume contest, food, and a cash bar.
The 58th season at CST is generously sponsored by Urschel Laboratories, UFS Corporation, Target, South Shore Arts, Lakeside Wealth Management, John W. Anderson Foundation, and the Indiana Arts Commission.
Dracula Performance Schedule
Oct. 12-31, 2012
- Friday, Oct. 12 - 8 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 13 - 8 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 19 - 8 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 20 - 8 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 21 - 2:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Oct. 25 - 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, Oct. 31 - 8 p.m.
Tickets
- Adult $18
- Seniors (62+) $15
- Students (21 and younger) $15
- Veterans $15
Reservations can be made by calling the Chicago Street Theatre box office at (219) 464-1636, Ext. 1, Monday - Friday, between 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. or you may leave a message anytime, and someone will return your call. You also may contact us via e-mail at boxoffice@chicagostreet.org or you may visit the website at www.chicagostreet.org.