THEATER REVIEW - CCTC/HJT’s Dracula is Bloody Fun, and Perfect for the Spooky Season

Boo! It’s that time of year. Halloween is filled with ghouls, ghosts and vampires! Vampires have fascinated us since Bram Stoker created the vampire Count Dracula, the star of the undead who stay ‘alive’ by feeding off the blood of the living. 

Welcome … vel-come to the Transylvanian world of the Count as the Cape Cod Theatre Company/Harwich Junior Theatre reveals his promise of eternal life at a terrifying price. It starts as soon as you enter the “hallowed grounds” of the CCTC/HJT lobby. You’re greeted by characters from the show, then fall under the spell of the complex decor as you pay close attention to each sign and message there. The nearly two-hour show has an interactive intermission and those messages will reveal how you can participate.

Though based on Stoker’s novel, this production is by Hamilton Dean and John L. Balderston and reworked by the director of this production, Brian Lore Evans. For Dracula aficionados, be prepared to enjoy their interpretation; the show is mostly true to the original tale. Count Dracula (John O. Fennell) has moved to England and people soon notice some strange happenings. Dr. Seward (Drew Krauss) is very concerned about his daughter Lucy (an ethereal Amelia F. Burbine). Her zest for life and for her engagement to Harker (Jim Cornet) has waned, she’s pale and tired, and has two mysterious marks on her neck! She talks about crazy dreams too. Seward knows who to call, his friend Professor Van Helsing (Ian Hamilton) is an expert on bizarre phenomena. Van Helsing soon suspects Seward’s neighbor, the Count, is not who he appears to be. We all know the tale, but watching the pieces fall into place is fascinating theater. 

A standout performance on opening night was Macklin Devine as the certifiably crazy Renfield. Granted, this character is intense in any production about Dracula, but Devine was simply divine as the fly-eating lunatic. The strong ensemble of Dracula’s ghouls and household staff need a mention too. They were Anna Botsford, Zendon Donoho, Nansea R. Flynn and Violet Hellstrom. 

The opening night audience was captivated with it all: the story, the magnificent set (High Five to James P. Bryne!), and the spellbinding performances by the entire cast. Costumes executed by Robin McLaughlin (Lucy’s costumes are credited to Claude Danner) and inspired by Edward Gorey, Matt Kohler’s lighting, and Fionn Pina Parker’s sound design all add to the complexity of the show. Backstage stage manager Gianna Casale along with her assistant Shiloh Pabst, sound operator Quill Achino, light operator Alex Ingraham, and Isabella Ramsey on special effects all hit every cue seamlessly.

Has this incredible fall weather not made it feel like Halloween will be here soon? Go see Dracula and get in that trick-or-treat mood! 

DETAILS:

"Dracula" 

At Cape Cod Theatre Company/Harwich Junior Theatre, 105 Division St., West Harwich.

Through Oct 27, Thursdays through Saturdays at 7 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. 

Information and reservations: 508-432-2002, ext. 2, www.capecodtheatrecompany.org