Both beloved and bloodcurdling, "Dracula" is a tale of good versus evil, opening October 26 - 27 and November 1- 3 at Country Gate Players. This tale closely follows the 1897 novel as the play begins with the insane-asylum resident, Renfield (Cullen Delmore) dining upon various living creatures in his cell. Acting as a narrator of sorts and a pawn to Dracula (Brian Lisa), Renfield assists Dracula in various plots to capture unsuspecting victims.
The story continues as attorney Jonathan Harker (David Gross), travels to ever-gothic Transylvania to propose a business deal to “Count Dracula.” Held captive, things quickly go south for Harker. He flees his captor and returns to England and his fiancée, Mina (Kori Lotito).
Dracula follows Harker to England in pursuit of new horizons (and fresh blood) and immediately stalks Mina and her best friend, Lucy (Kira Finnegan), who is stricken with a strange illness. Lucy’s suitor, Dr. Seward (Manuel Alvarado) is called to diagnose her condition only to discover two small puncture wounds on her neck. Professor Van Helsing (Stacy Higgins), a well-known vampire hunter, is called upon to assess the situation. Through her cunning and wisdom, a plot is devised to pursue Dracula and strive to stop the notorious vampire from further devastation.
The ensemble cast is rounded out by Maria Turker, as an innocent maid transformed into an evil vampire/vixen, as well as, Eric Peterson, as the vigilant insane-asylum attendant and is under the direction of Gina Scurato.
"Dracula" contains violence and sexual situations. Parental discretion is advised.
The Country Gate Playhouse, located at 114 Greenwich Street, Belvidere, New Jersey, will host Bram Stoker’s classic play of terror and seduction.
Tickets for all performances are available at countrygate.org