This piece was originally posted September 13th.
Twilight fans, step aside. Count Dracula, the original vampire, is coming back to Louisville. For almost two decades, this Halloween tradition has brought suspense and screams to area theatre-goers and fright enthusiasts.
Once again (and for the eleventh time) sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, Dracula opens this Friday, September 16th at Actors Theatre.
Based on the novel originally written in 1897 by Bram Stoker, the Actors Theatre version is adapted and directed by William McNulty, who is also reprising his role as Van Helsing. Says McNulty, “I’ve always loved the horror genre, so this is an opportunity for me to unleash my inner 12-year old…There is something about immersing yourself in that dark, spooky world that people love.”
The story begins with Jonathan Harker, an English lawyer, who has come to Castle Dracula in Transylvania (a region in Romania; not to be confused with the Kentucky university of the same name).
As the story unfolds, Harker quickly realizes that the Count is not who he seems to be. Disturbing twists and turns develop, resulting in several new vampires being created, and several lives being changed forever.
Dracula opens Friday, September 16th and runs through October 30th. Tickets start at $24 and are available by calling the Actors Theatre box office at 52-585-1210 or online at ActorsTheatre.org.
Image: James Whalen as Dracula and Joseph Midyett as Harker; courtesy of Alan Simmons, Actors Theater
